Celebrating America 250

Botzum Store

Peninsula Depot

From the earliest days of westward expansion to the rise of industrial America, railroads connected communities, moved goods, fueled innovation, and opened the door to opportunity. Here in Northeast Ohio, the railroad was a catalyst for growth, linking farms to markets, workers to jobs, and towns to one another. On a national scale, rail lines helped unify a young nation, transforming how people traveled, traded, and experienced the vast American landscape.

The Cuyahoga Valley has long been part of that story. In the mid-1800s, rail lines followed the river and canal corridors, supporting agriculture, industry, and recreation. Passenger and freight trains once carried coal, stone, and goods through the valley, while also providing access to one of Ohio’s most scenic landscapes. Though many of those lines faded with time, the rails endured and in 1975, CVSR was founded to preserve this history and reimagine rail travel as a gateway to education, exploration, and connection within what is now Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Throughout 2026, CVSR will explore moments, memories, and milestones—from the historic role of railroads to the modern-day experiences that continue to bring people together aboard the train. We’ll share stories of preservation, community, and the simple joy of seeing the valley from the rails.

We invite you to be part of it. Do you have a memory, photo, or story connected to CVSR or railroading in the Cuyahoga Valley? Whether it’s your first train ride, a family tradition, or a behind-the-scenes moment, we’d love to share it. Submit your stories and images to marketing@cvsr.organd help us celebrate 250 years of America, one track, one memory at a time.