Hammond/Cranz Farm

This farm was established by the Hammond family in 1810 until they sold it to William Cranz in 1863. Following William's death in 1894, its ownership fell  to his son, Eugene Cranz, until his death in 1952. Eugene's son, Harmon Cranz, took charge until he left the valley for Florida in the 1970's and the farm was acquired by the National Park Service. Info from Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum & Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association.

 

Eugene Cranz standing in his southern field. Ira Cemetery is in the background.

Harmon, Eugene's son had a lifelong passion for aviation. He owned an airplane which he housed in the south barn. He constructed a runway that crossed the farmland and ran behind the neighboring Wetmore home.