Mar 1 2012

Mill Creek Park

Brent

mill creek park

Mill Creek Park is a great place to take the family to learn about history. There is a historic mill and an awesome covered bridge. Here is the history of the mill from the Metroparks website:

“At the end of the 18th century the land surrounding a beautiful, natural waterfall, now known as Lanterman’s Falls, belonged to John Young, founder of Youngstown. In August 1797 Young’s surveyors, Isaac Powers and Phineas Hill, set out to explore the then unnamed Mill Creek.

Coming upon the Falls, the two men immediately recognized the potential of the site for a mill. Hill offered to purchase the 300 acres surrounding the Falls. Young stipulated, as a condition of the sale, that Hill must build a saw- and gristmill on the site within eighteen months of the purchase. Hill agreed and contracted with fellow explorer Isaac Powers to construct the mill.

The first mill was built of logs from the site. Millstones were cut from granite boulders found in the area of what is now Fifth Avenue at Rayen avenue. This mill operated from 1799 to 1822. In 1823 the original mill was replaced by a second mill. Built by Eli Baldwin, this frame structure served only as a gristmill. Baldwin’s mill operated until 1843 when a flood washed it away. A grinding stone from this mill can still be seen resting in the creekbed 500 feet downstream of the Falls.

The current frame structure was built in 1845-46 by German Lanterman and his brother-in-law Samuel Kimberly. German and his wife Sally Ann owned a large tract of land around the Falls. Lanterman’s Mill was the third mill constructed at the Falls and was used solely as a gristmill. It is believed that this mill was originally powered by an overshot wheel, the type presently being used, but was later converted to turbines prior to its closing in 1888. Lanterman’s Mill was a highly successful operation, utilizing three sets of grinding stones. Historians speculate that its downfall was due to the advent of roller mills which were much more efficient and less costly to run. After closing, the Mill stood in a state of disrepair until purchased by the Park in 1892. As an early Park facility, the building held a ballroom, a concession stand, and bathhouse for swimmers. Swimming continued in the Pool of Shadows until 1917. The upper floors were used for boat storage during the winter.

In 1933 the first floor was converted into a nature museum, then into the Park’s historical museum in 1972. Lanterman’s Mill was entered in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 1976. During the years that the Mill served as a nature museum, generations of area residents spent countless hours viewing the hundreds of mounted birds, mammals, and other natural history exhibits. Thousands of civic and school groups toured the Mill, while captivated Park visitors made it the subject of poems, songs, photographs, and paintings.

The renovation of Lanterman’s Mill was no small feat. Many obstacles had to be overcome during the costly and painstaking renovation which began in 1982. Historical records and original blueprints depicting the operation of Lanterman’s Mill were nonexistent. An archeological dig was organized by Dr. John White, professor of anthropology at Youngstown State University, yielding valuable artifacts and the location of the original raceway, proving the existence of an earlier water wheel.

As research continued, the Park searched for an expert gristmill renovator to tackle the complicated project. Lorin Cameron and his sons from Damascus, Ohio, were commissioned after the Park learned of their superior restorations of Gaston’s Mill in Beaver Creek State Park and Garretts Mill in Garrettsville, Ohio.

With research and expert talents in hand the Park now only lacked funding for the project. The Florence and Ward Beecher Foundations made the restoration a reality with a $600,000 grant to the Mill Creek Park Foundation. The work could now begin.

Work commenced in the Camerons’ Damascus workshop. Although much of the needed antique machinery was purchased, the Camerons had to craft by hand many of the fittings, elevator shafts, and housings–not to mention the massive four-ton water wheel. While the Camerons worked on the machinery, the mill underwent a complete structural facelift. Footers and beams were replaced; connections were reinforced; a new roof was installed; and new windows, doors, and siding completed the transformation. Now the Camerons could transport the components of the inner workings to the mill. The wheel, marked piece by piece and disassembled, was rebuilt in its present location.

Exterior improvements included a new observation deck and walkways. An additional course was placed upon the existing log dam, ensuring an adequate supply of water to the Mill. More than a century after its closing, Lanterman’s Mill runs again. Cross the Mill’s threshold, and transport yourself into a bygone era, rich with the remarkable legacy of early settlers.”

For more info:

http://www.millcreekmetroparks.com/ParksFacilities/nbspnbspnbspnbspLantermansMill/tabid/1522/Default.aspx

Today’s Quote: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”. – Martin Luther King, Jr.


Feb 29 2012

Wade Park

Brent

Wade Lagoon

Want to spend a peaceful afternoon in the park? Wade Park and Lagoon is located in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle. This beautiful piece of land was donated to the city by Jeptha Wade in 1882 with the intention of building an Art Museum. If you ever have an afternoon free and want somewhere to relax this place is perfect. Walk along the lagoon, eat lunch under a tree and then take a stroll through the art museum. It is a wonderful place that is rarely crowded and always free.

Today’s Quote: “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it”. – Eleanor Roosevelt


Feb 24 2012

Chagrin Falls

Brent

 

chagrin falls ohio

The picturesque village of Chagrin falls has grown around a natural waterfall on the Chagrin River. The town is known for its restaurants, historic architecture, shopping, and its arts community. For more information on Chagrin Falls:

http://www.chagrin-falls.org/

Today’s Quote: “A picture is a poem without words”. – Horace


Feb 21 2012

Cleveland is for bikers!

Brent

bike cleveland

It’s been a mild winter and in the next month or so the weather will begin to get even warmer.  Why not grab your bike and go for a ride? Cleveland and Northeast Ohio are a great place to go biking. There are and endless trails and places to explore in the city, the Metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley. Try a bike ride though downtown Cleveland or University Circle. If the biking in the city isn’t your cup of tea why not try the parks and valley? You can ride along the historic towpath or bike the trails and catch the rairoad back to your car. If you are really not sure where you would like to ride you should check out the Great Lakes Touring Co. for all kinds of great information. Here is the link: www.bikecle.com

Today’s Quote: “Go big or go home. Because it’s true. What do you have to lose?” -Eliza Dushku


Feb 7 2012

Amish Country Barn

Brent

country barn

Today’s Photo is of a barn in Ohio’s Amish Country, the world’s largest concentration of Amish. There are several Amish communities within an hour or so drive of Downtown Cleveland.  These areas are known for their shopping, food and furniture. For more information on how to visit: http://www.experience-ohio-amish-country.com/middlefield-ohio.html

“Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law,’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.” – Thomas Jefferson quote


Feb 2 2012

Country Birdhouse

Brent

Bird Hotel

Today’s photo is of a cool looking birdhouse on a farm about 45 minutes East of downtown Cleveland.

Today’s Quote: “More than 15 percent of the jobs in Ohio are tied in some way to agriculture. A strong agriculture means a strong economy”. John Fisher


Jan 31 2012

Hungarian Cultural Garden

Brent

Hungarian Garden

Today’s photo is of the Hungarian Cultural Garden which is located off East Blvd in Cleveland. This garden was completed and formally dedicated in 1938 and is just one of the beautiful gardens located in this area. For more information:

http://culturalgardens.org/gardenDetail.aspx?gardenID=14

Today’s Quote: “The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget”. – Thomas Szasz


Jan 24 2012

Everett Road Covered Bridge

Brent

Everett Road

Everett Road Covered Bridge is one of the only remaining covered bridges in Summit County. However in the 19th century, it was one of over 2,000 in Ohio. The builders of Everett Road Covered Bridge used a truss pattern patented by Robert W. Smith of Tipp City, Ohio, in 1867. The bridge was also unlikely to have been built much after the 1870s.

Today’s Quote: “Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law,’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.” Thomas Jefferson


Jan 10 2012

Sunrise in the Italian Garden

Brent

Italian Garden

Today’s Photo: Sunrise in the Italian Garden

This photo was taken early one morning about a year or so ago. If you have never spent any time here you are really missing something. Here is some more information:

http://blog.culturalgardens.org/index.php/category/italian-garden/

“A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy” – Luis Barragan


Jan 3 2012

Standing Alone

Brent

Single Flower at the cleveland zoo

Today’s Photo: Standing Alone

Today’s photo was taken at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. I thought everyone could use a little bit of spring on a day like this. It’s only a few months away!

Today’s Quote: You laugh at me because I’m different; I laugh at you because you’re all the same – Jonathan Davis