The Cuyahoga River: Flowing Through Time
Description
A Chronological History of the Cuyahoga River as it applies to economic, social, and political characteristics.
Man continually shapes and reshapes the environment in which we live. The Cuyahoga River basin is no different. The river has provided water resources and a waterway that man has used and manipulated to suit his needs over time. As you proceed through the exhibit, think about how you might answer the following questions:
1. How has the river changed over time?
2. How have different generations of people used the river?
3. Why has the river been instrumental in the development of Cleveland as a major city in the United States?
Credits
Margaret Barzellato and Judy Carlson
Sections
Introduction
Introduction to 8th grade American History Geography standard.Early Settlement
Industrial Age
As you make your way through this part of the exhibit, ask yourself these questions:
What role did the Cuyahoga River play?
Can you name some positive and negative consequences of the industrial period in Cleveland and the Cuyahoga River?
At the height of industrialization, Cleveland enjoyed great wealth. The industry situated along the Cuyahoga brought in millions of dollars to the city. With the emergence of the steel and oil industries, Cleveland grew in acreage and population. John D. Rockefeller Sr.'s Standard Oil played a significant role in Cleveland's growth. Money was flowing up the Cuyahoga everyday in commercial industry. At the same time, these industries cared little about the natural environment of the river. It had become an industrial canal. Pollution reigned supreme thus causing numerous fires on the river during this period.
Present Day
As Cleveland moves away from heavy manufacturing and industry, the Cuyahoga River is beginning to return to a more natural state. Clevelanders have begun to see the river in a new light as the emphasis on the environment takes off in the wake of excessive pollution which had produced numerous fires and gave the city a black eye. Federal regulation, like the Clean Water Act of 1972, helped to improve the waters of the Cuyahoga. Big businesses no longer dump byproducts and industrial waste the way they had in the past.Conclusion
Think about all of the changes that the Cuyahoga River Valley and the city of Cleveland have undergone.
Can you predict or create a drawing of what the area will look like in 25 years? 50 years? 100 years?
Create a chart that illustrates the changes that have taken place with respect to economic, political, and social characteristics. Make sure you include the ways that different generations of people used the river and how the river was instrumental in how Cleveland developed.