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Industry on the River
at Munroe Falls |
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In 1809, an estimated 40 people
traveled from Connecticut and settled next to a river called the
Cuyahoga. The settlers called their new village Kelsey's Mills. The
name reflected the primary businesses that set up shop on opposite
banks of the river, a gristmill and a sawmill, using the water power
of the river.
The first report of a dam in Munroe Falls was 1817, the same year
that the name of the village was changed to Florence. In 1836
William and Edmund Munroe arrived from Boston, purchased 200 acres
of land, and changed the name of the village to Munroe Falls.
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Several dams were constructed at the
site over time, providing power and process water to paper mills for
over 100 years. The most recent dam was constructed of sandstone
blocks, stood about 12 1/2 feet high, and had "1903" carved into
some of the blocks. |
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A New Era at Munroe
Falls |
By the start of this century, the dam was no longer being
used for industrial purposes. It was in disrepair, with
leaks and holes in the dam and its abutments.
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Collapsing abutments, 5/05.
South (below) and North (right) |
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Leak
in dam,
hole in splash apron. |
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The new stage in the history of the dam and river no longer
involves using the river for water power, but instead
improving the quality of our nation's rivers to protect
these important community resources. You can learn more by
visiting the
Protecting
Resources page of this website. |
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(c) Copyright County of Summit 2008. All Rights Reserved. |
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