Cuyahoga Falls High School - Cuyahogan Yearbook (Cuyahoga Falls, OH)

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 RIGHT: The falLs itself is chiefly responsible for the development of the city. The fast growth of industry, powered by mills along the river, drew many settlers. BELOW: Henry Welmore, a friend of Newberry’s, was also responsible for the city’s early industry and settlement. Yet, he is remembered more for his development of the neighboring community of Stow. l 7T: RIGHT: Henry Newberry, one of the industrial founders of Cuyahoga Falls was the son of land com- pany investor, Roger Newberry. He saw that the power the falls provided was pul to use and is also remembered by an elementary school bearing his name. FAR RIGHT: Once called the (Percy) “Shelly of Cuyahoga Falls,” the poet , F.lisha Sill, is remembered by both a middle school and a street that bear his name, and at one time students were required to memorize one of his more popular works 6 Founders

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The Mill Race Imagine a car approaching the city boundary line where a sign states “Welcome to Coppacaw Falls.” The driver would not have made a wrong turn in his search for Cuyahoga Falls. Actually, “Coppacaw” was merely one of the words the area’s earliest ancestors — the Indians — called the river lands. Other names were “Cajahoga,” “Cayohoga,” and “Diahaga.” Translated, they meant everything from “The Beautiful” to “Crooked” to “Place of the Jawbone.” No matter what name it was called, the land on the banks of the Cuyahoga River was always desirable. The Indians enjoyed hunting the wildlife of the valley, while the river provided transportation access to most of Northeastern Ohio. In the city’s early years, the river pro- vided power for local mills and factories. Industrial sprawl hung from both sides of the river’s banks. This central area of river development was even nicknamed “the Mill Race.” As hard times hit in the 1930’s, many of these abandoned buildings were raised as commercial growth moved inward. Today, the geographical advantages remain. While the river continues to pro- vide scenic beauty, electrical power, and rich soil, a newer dimension has been added. The city’s proximity to the urban centers of Akron, Cleveland, and Youngstown provides the opportunity for continued growth. Falls’ Geography 5

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Historic Homes 7 This Old House Most of the historical houses of Cuyahoga Falls were owned or closely related with the foundations of the city. The founders, wealthy from in- vesting in the Cuyahoga Valley, were able to purchase expensive houses and furnish them with luxurious accessories. The Sill and Newberry mansion highlighted the best of life in their times. Charles Boyd, a historian of Cuyahoga Falls, has been able to restore and collect countless numbers of furnishings, lamps, and accessories from the early homes. The Boyd home remains one of the historical landmarks of the area because it is the oldest existing home in the city’s boundaries. BELOW: The Boyd home, on the corner of Third and Stow Streets was built in 1847 for only S275. Here. Charles Boyd has collected documents, antiques, and pictures which are now pieces of Cuyahoga Falls history. Many remnants of the Sill mansion, including the gold-laced ceiling are displayed with pride. LEFT: The Clifford Inn, once known as “The Raleigh” and also “Perry House,” was the first hotel every built in Cuyahoga Falls. The resort was a much needed resting place for the weary travelers on their journeys bet- ween Cleveland. Akron, and Youngstown. BELOW LEFT: One of Elisha Sills’ major contributions to the history and culture of Cuyahoga Falls is the Sill mansion. The furniture, ap- pliances, and even the clothing and gold-laced ceiling are now valuable col- lector’s items. Unfortunately none of these homes remains except for the Boyd house. The Newberry house (RIGHT) and Wetmore house (ABOVE RIGHT) built in 1860 and 1835 respectively, as well as the Sill mansion are a few of the city’s more famous houses. Unfortunatlcy none of these sites were preserved.