CVNRA #125, from the Federal Lands series

More Information

One of the many popular locations in the Cuyahoga Valley is Brandywine Falls. A platform has been built overlooking the misty “bridal veil,” and many brides have been married on that platform with the falls as a backdrop. Ketchum was particularly interested in contextualizing this location with the greater history of the Cuyahoga River fire of 1969. At the time this photograph was taken, toxic sites upstream had turned the water of the falls dangerously acidic, so there were many signs warning not to drink it or swim in it, as it might cause serious health problems and even burn skin. Now, the upstream sites have been cleaned up, and Brandywine Creek is much cleaner, though it continues to have water quality challenges.