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A bustling village once surrounded Brandywine Falls. Taking advantage of the waterpower, George Wallace built a sawmill here in 1814. Over the next decade, the Village of Brandywine added a whiskey distillery, grist mill, woolen mill, and a dozen houses. In 1824, Wallace transferred his property to his sons who then formed the Wallace Brothers Company. Business thrived for the next 30 years.
Eventually, Brandywine's prosperity dried up. The Ohio & Erie Canal, and later the railroads, shipped goods to the cities of Akron and Cleveland, leaving towns like Brandywine behind. Except for the barn and house built by James Wallace in 1848 only a few hidden foundations remain of the Village of Brandywine. |
| The rock layers of the 65 foot tall Brandywine Falls can be read like a book. Each chapter covers millions of years as ancient seas left behind sediments that were compressed by added layers. The rocks here at the base of the falls were formed more than 400 million years ago.
Brandywine Creek and this "bridal veil" water fall cascades began about ten thousand years ago after the last glacial retreat. Brandywine Falls have now exposed the harder, yellow-brown Berea Sandstone looming over the softer, deep red Bedford Shale. Since sandstone is more resistant to erosion, the shale below is frequently undercut. As these layers wear away, the story of the earth continues to be revealed.
8050 Brandywine Rd. Northfield Ohio, 44067
( 330 ) 467-9000
Brandywine Falls |
