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Cuyahogan History

For thousands of years the Cuyahoga River and its valley have provided a vital transportation route, home, and livelihood for wildlife and man. Prehistoric peoples left behind a legacy of archeological sites throughout the valley. It was neutral ground to many historic Indian tribes, so that all might travel on it from the cold waters of the Great Lakes to the short portage across the watershed divide to reach the Tuscarawas River, connecting to the waters of the Ohio River and the South.

Archeologists like Cuyahoga Jones have long recognized the potential for future archeological exploration. Unexplored sites include the mysterious constructions of the ancient Mound-Builders, a Native American group which remains unidentified. The more recent Irish Town immigrant campsites left little written history, as well, and remain incompletely explored along the banks of the Cuyahoga River.

Newswire, The Cleveland Press, 18 January, 1979:
A police sting operation, designed to put an end to prostitution in the Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Parks, was foiled today by an unknown man. The task force, led by the Rocky River Detective Bureau with assistance from female undercover officers from the Pittsburgh Police Parking Violations Division, ran into some trouble when the man stopped to chat with one of the decoy hookers. "I'm not sure what the (heck) he was talking about," said Madeline Champantalain, Meter Enforcement Specialist, "all he seemed interested in was finding his pants, and he was searching record books, digging under rocks, and I don't know what all. I kept trying to get his name, but it was something I couldn't pronounce. I couldn't tell you if he even knew what a hooker was, but I tried to keep him interested."
Apparently, when the police decoy was distracted by the lengthy and unproductive conversation, a passing truck backfired. The confused fellow leapt upon the officer, apparently thinking that she was under attack from gunfire. Backup police quickly rushed in to assist her, and the suspect was lost in the confusion that followed.
Police Chief Duke Kordray noted, "He spoiled our whole operation. Every hooker for miles around couldn't help but notice what was going on. They moved completely out of the parks, and we made no arrests. We got nothing to show for all our time and effort. And we got to pay the Meter Maids anyway, and we got no one paying fines to justify it. I'd really like to find that guy, and tell him just what I think of him."
The police description is of a large young male caucasion, wearing a brown hat of an unknown type, "like something they wore back in the 30's." His current whereabouts are unknown.
The Cuyahoga River was labeled on New World maps of the 17th century. The Moravian village of Pilgerruh was the earliest, but short-lived, white settlement in the Cuyahoga Valley. It was located near the confluence of Tinkers Creek and the Cuyahoga River in 1786, just 10 years before Moses Cleaveland and his team of surveyors from Connecticut laid out the Western Reserve for settlement, and founded the City of Cleveland.

By treaty between the young United States and Native American tribes, land west of the river remained Indian territory until 1805. Early traders and settlers found the river as important as the Indians before them had.

Historical Correspondence, circa 1979:
My dear Marion:
I have run into some fairly rough characters on my adventure. One exception is the Madamouselle Sans Pantalon. When she heard of my quest for the Lost Pants Of The Continent, she invited me to her abode to view her etchings of Archeological Wonders. She said these included the City of Atlantis, the Holy Grail, and a telephone directory listing only 2 names, Bell and Watson. Unfortunately, I was distracted when an attempt was made on my life, and the Madamouselle was lost in the confusion that followed.
I will write often, as I know it must be difficult for you to wait in chastity for me. I heard that you have had to take in roommates to make ends meet. I am so proud of you, my brave sweet Marion. I trust that those Coast Guardsmen are on their best behavior, giving you help with the household chores.
Take care my sweet! I feel that my goal is near, and that we will soon be together again!
Your Devoted Cuy
For thousands of years Native Americans used the Cuyahoga River and Valley for transportation. Later the Ohio and Erie Canal provided the early settlers an easy way to move travelers and cargo. The canal is still watered for a significant part of its length, allowing canoers and small boaters to re-live a slower-paced, more peaceful era. In 1880, the first steam engines started operating on the Valley Railway, signaling an era of progress and prosperity for the Cuyahoga Valley residents, and an end to the useful life of the Canal.

Primarily built to transport coal from south of Canton to Cleveland's growing industries, the Valley Railway also served the farmers, merchants and factories along its route. Train depots piled high with farm produce and other goods dotted the Valley. Financial difficulties in 1894 led to the Valley Railway's acquisition by the Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railroad. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bought the line in 1915 and continued to provide freight and passenger service between Akron and Cleveland.

Eventually, the popularity of the automobile caused a decline in passenger traffic on the rail line. Passenger service ended in 1963. The last freight train on the line ran in 1985.

Today, the historic rails are owned by the National Park Service. A sight-seeing excursion train now runs through the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, allowing visitors to re-live the days when the railroads dominated the American Frontier.

Historical Correspondence, circa 1981:
Dear Mother and Father:
I am writing to you in hopes that you can break the following news to Marion personally. The shock may be too much for her to bear if she's alone when she reads this.
I regret to inform you that my quest has come to a bit of a roadblock. After years of laborious searching, just when I thought I had made a major breakthrough, my efforts have yielded a forgery! Words cannot express my scorn for those who seek to profit from tampering with historical evidence! Generations to come only lose valuable pieces of history through such deceptions!
On my excursion to Piltdown, Ohio, I uncovered what at first appeared to be the famous Lost Pants of the Continent. A local digging crewman tried to sell them to me. Fortunately, my years of education, thanks to you, had provided me with the insight, the trained eye, and especially the keen nose needed to detect the forgery! The artifact was most definitely NOT the sought-after Lost Pants of The Continent! For my journal entry, I have referred to them as "Textile item #1981C-2844," otherwise to be known as: "The Pants of The Incontinent."
Your devoted son, Cuy

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