The Infamous; Misunderstood Cuyahoga River Fire

A river with deep roots in commerce, industry and the history of Ohio is known internationally for one single thing: a fire upon it in 1969.

50 years later, still nothing has changed.

Although there are other rivers that have had fires on them and there have been multiple occasions in the river’s history where there were worse fires, it is only known for that single act.

After Moses Cleaveland surveyed the land that would become Cleveland and left the first round of settlers, they decided to create a town around the mouth of the Cuyahoga River called Euclid.

Even before Cleaveland came to survey, and ultimately found a new city, the local Native American populace used the river for fishing and as a water source.