Gorge Hydroelectric Plant with penstock water delivery system, circa 1920 (CFHS).

Northern Ohio Track & Lighting built the hydroelectric plant one-half mile down-stream from the dam and began operating in 1915. Water was channeled from behind the dam through a penstock pipe 8 feet in diameter.  To support the pipe over rough terrain, a series of over two hundred “saddles” or “piers” were constructed. Some, were as high as 10 feet off the ground. They can still be seen across the river from the Gorge Trail.

Saddled penstock line looking east (CFHS).

Many old stories surround use of this pipeline as a walkway, and it seems workers and visitors alike used it for a pathway, probably to avoid the rough walking below. It is remembered, that a night watchman would walk the pipe, dress in a black cape, and carry a lantern at Halloween time. This would have been more visible in the early 1900’s as there were fewer trees on the hillside. In another story, a workman released a valve at the wrong time and it blew-out a section of the penstock, which can still be seen in the river. Although the plant could not operate in times when the water was low, it produced electricity until closed in 1958. In June, 1977, Ruhlin Construction Company removed the sections of penstock by helicopter and it was sold for scrap metal.

Walking along the Cuyahoga River water pipeline in 1918 (Akron-Summit County Public Library).