Cuyahoga River under the Micrscope
Description
In the late 1800s the Cuyahoga River became a key element of Cleveland’s industrial revolution with the growing of oil refiners, chemical manufacturers, also steel production, lumber companies and other related business which all occupied the banks of the river in the Flats of Cleveland. After the Industrial revolution the environment became ruin because of the pollutants from the companies alongside of the river. Debris, oil, dead fish and many other things floated on top of the river which caused the Cuyahoga to become flammable and a threat to the companies on the bank. The economy depended on the industrial companies that surrounded the river but the river also was a main source for import and export besides the railroads that went into the flats. The exhibit will help you go through the history of the Cuyahoga River including the important fires that occurred throughout the years.
Credits
Sections
Pollution in the Cuyahoga River
This section tells you about how the industrial revolution helped Cleveland grow into the home of oil refinery, manufacturing and iron. This section enlightens you on the Cuyahoga River involvement in Cleveland’s economy development and failure.
The Cuyahoga River Fire
The Cuyahoga River fires occurred in 1868, 1883, 1887, 1912, 1922, 1936, 1941, 1948, 1952 and 1969.
The main fires which cause the most damage, they received press and media attention was in 1952 and 1969. This section will discuss those fires and the major problem leading up to 1952 fire and the 1969 fire on the Cuyahoga River. There were other fires but these are the main ones that destroyed railroads, companies docks that was alongside the Cuyahoga River and lost of money.