Crooked River Contrasts: The Role of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland’s History
Bill Barrow, Head of Special Collections, Cleveland State University
Thursday, January 30th
11:30 - 12:30pm
1st Floor Connections Lounge (west of the User Services Desk)
Michael Schwartz Library
When the Cuyahoga River caught fire fifty years ago, it surprised, amused and alarmed America. Of course the water itself didn’t catch fire, but however you looked at it, the Cuyahoga and many of the country’s other industrial rivers were a mess. But the Cuyahoga is the reason for Cleveland’s existence, as the river’s linkage to the Ohio River was the basis for the siting of the village here in 1796 and was the deciding factor in building the Ohio & Erie Canal, which launched the city’s destiny as an industrial powerhouse. From the founding, to the fire, to today, Bill Barrow, Head of Special Collections at Cleveland State University’s Michael Schwartz Library, will be sharing stories of the river's history. Come hear the stories and see the library display, Crooked River Contrasts, showing the transformation of the Cuyahoga River and its impact on Cleveland.