Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area Travel Guide

 Basaic Says:  This is how the house would have been furnished and laid out. There was a charming young lady in period costume demonstrating how to make dinner in the old style kitchen and over the open fire. The chicken cooked with herbs from the garden smelled great. Couldn't talk her... 

 Basaic Says:  This is how the house would have been furnished and laid out. This would have been the home of a rich family. There was a charming young lady in period costume playing the piano (quite well I might add) inside the house. 

 Basaic Says:  There were several types of different houses on display here. I think they were modeled after actual period houses that were once in the valley. This first house was a substantial looking structure that used the popular Federal Style of architecture. Note the small wooden... 

 Basaic Says:  Across the road from the Hale House is Hale Village. Hale Village has quite a few different buildings showing a typical village in the late 1800s and many of the activities. There were quite a few people here in period dress explaining and demonstrating different aspects of... 

 Basaic Says:  There was a special event going on when I was here so in addition to all the other attractions there were booths set up where they were making popcorn in a large metal cauldron and a number of booths selling arts and crafts and other items. 

 Basaic Says:  This building was built by C. O. Hale in the early 1900s, preserving the family tradition of maple sugaring. Hale produced 200 gallons on maple syrup in a good year. The process is demonstrated here during the month of February. 

 Basaic Says:  Another display that I found quite interesting was the Carriage Makers Building. They had a number of different carriages inside like the: 1890 Landau, which was owned by President James A. Garfield's widow (Photo 2); this nice Brougham which was an expensive carriage for a... 

 Basaic Says:  This is a typical cabin that many of the settlers in the valley lived in, especially when they first moved here. This cabin makes an interesting contrast to the much more luxurious Hale House. There was a guy here to discuss how the cabin was built and what it was like to... 

 Basaic Says:  If your time for exploring the park is very limited you may want to consider stopping at the Hale Farm & Village. This will give you the widest view of life in the valley in a short period of time. The complex is part of the national park but is owned and operated by the... 

 Basaic Says:  The quality of the experience going through the Hale House was greatly enhanced by the presence of people dressed in period costume demonstrating some of the activities associated with daily life at the Hale House during the late 1800s like basket making, and candle making. 

 Basaic Says:  The centerpiece of the facility is the Hale House which was built in 1827 by Jonathon Hale. At that time it was one of only two brick homes in the valley. Like the Frazee House, the Hale House was built using the Federal style of architecture. 

 Basaic Says:  Inside the building you walk through to gain access to the Hale House & Village there are several interesting displays. I especially liked the old Franklin Stove and the great old International Car in Photo 4. 

 Basaic Says:  Between the Ira Trailhead where I parked to access the trail to the Beaver Pond and the pond itself is Lock 26. Lock 26 was one of 44 locks that raised canal boats a total of 395 feet between Cleveland and Akron. Lock 26 and its neighbor to the north, Lock 27, earned the... 

 Basaic Says:  There were also a number of birds and other wildlife along the trail and at the beaver pond (although I did not see any beaver). It was very impressive when I saw the Great Blue Heron spread his massive wings and take flight. 

 Basaic Says:  Another highlight of my visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park was the Beaver Pond and the hiking trail to reach it. This is a great place to see a variety of plant life and wildlife. The hike was flat and relatively easy. 

 Basaic Says:  Near this spot on the Cuyahoga River the Moody and Thomas Grist Mill was built in 1832. The mill ground wheat into flour and the Ohio & Erie Canal provided a way to get the flour to market. The mill burned to the ground in December 1931.