Cleveland, Ohio gained its infamous reputation on June 22, 1969 when oil and debris on the surface of the Cuyahoga River erupted into flames and burned for approximately 25 minutes. Cracks about Cleveland and its pollution quickly spread in popular culture, appearing in Johnny Carson's late-night joke routine, Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, Time Magazine, a New Yorker cartoon, Randy Newman's song “Burn On,” and as late as 1986 when the rock group R.E.M. wrote a song about the burning river.

   The 1969 fire was not the first time the Cuyahoga had caught fire. At least a dozen fires had raged on the Cuyahoga since 1868. Witnesses recount that fires on the river were a regular occurrence due to a persistent scum on the surface of the river from refuse oil discharged by refineries. Sparks from passing tugboats, trains, hot coal and welders' torches regularly turned the crooked river into a raging torrent of flames.

   It is often thought that the1969 Cuyahoga River fire became ingrained into the public consciousness because it was particularly fatal or devastating. Neither is true. In 1912, five men were killed in a river fire, whereas there was no loss of human life in 1969. A fire in 1952 caused $1.5 million dollars worth of damage. Contrast that with the 1969 fire damages estimated at only $85,000.
   
   Fires also occurred on other rivers during the end of the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. Fires on the North, Chicago, Buffalo, Fallsaway, Passiac and Rogue rivers, as well as the Houston Ship Channel, went unnoticed because they burned in a time in America's history when concerns for industrial production and growth were first and foremost. The subsequent pollution created by that production and growth was merely considered an unfortunate side effect. Sludge-producing factories were signs of “progress” and employment for the American people.

   Concerns for sanitation and navigability also took precedence over consideration of polluted waters during this era of rapid industrial growth. Outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and yellow fever were common, killing thousands of people at a time. Not until the discovery of germ theory by Frenchman Louis Pasteur in the latter half of the 19th century did the threat of water-borne diseases lessen through the subsequent use of water-treatment facilities. Concerns for the navigability or usability of the Cuyahoga River for shipping and travel was reflected in the Refuse Act of 1890, which only prohibited river dumping that would “impede or obstruct navigation.”

   Following the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire, the Plain Dealer ran a picture of the burnt railroad line that had spanned the river – charred black from the oil slick fire. In the accompanying article, the Fire Chief said that, “Waterfront industries are responsible, dumping oil wastes into the river rather than reclaiming them.” The following day the Cleveland Press covered the press conference that Mayor Carl Stokes held on the very dramatic backdrop of the charred railroad lines. A long time clean-up advocate, Mayor Stokes criticized the federal government, which had jurisdiction over the river because of the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. Stokes promised to fight for a cleaner river and planned to address the State of Ohio on this pressing issue.

   The 1969 Cuyahoga River fire elevated industrial pollution awareness to a national level. Cleveland's river was condemned in an article on August 1, 1969 in Time Magazine, titled “The Price of Optimism.” “Some river!” the article exclaimed. “Chocolate-brown, oily, bubbling with subsurface gases, it oozes rather than flows.” Even the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration reported that the lower Cuyahoga, the section of the river that runs through an industrial production area, had “no visible life, not even low forms such as leeches and sludge worms that usually thrive on wastes.”

   Essentially, Congress was in the hot seat to do something about the desperate and dilapidated conditions of America's water systems. Earlier that year, a ground-breaking piece of environmental legislation had passed in Congress. As a consequence, the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) helped to establish the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA later passed the Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act of 1972. The Clean Water Act mandated that all rivers be “fishable and swimmable” by 1983. Fortunately, the 1969 river fire marked the end of a long period of industrial pollution both in Cleveland and across the nation.

   The good news is that the river is now much cleaner and it continues to improve. Fish populations are back. However, they are the pollution-tolerant species such as carp, suckers and bottom feeders, and, unfortunately, they have tumors, eroded fins, deformities and lesions. Also, it still is not advisable to eat fish caught in the river more than once or twice a month, depending on the species, because of the PCB and mercury levels found in the fish. That said, there still is much to celebrate about our river and its improving condition.

    In fact, Great Lakes Brewing Company is holding the 2005 Burning River Fest from noon-9:30 p.m. on August 13th, 2005 in Voinovich Park (behind the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) to raise awareness about the community's role in the future of our lake and rivers.

   Sponsored by Balanced Living, this event will highlight vital natural resources, raise awareness of environmental issues affecting our region and promote cleaner waterways, a healthier community and an improved quality of life. The event will include speakers, music, vendors, local food and, of course, Great Lakes Brewing Company Beer.
Proceeds will be used to support local, environmentally focused nonprofit organizations that educate and promote a cleaner and healthier region. The Burning River Fest affords us all the opportunity to learn, celebrate and bless our past.

For more information about Great Lakes Brewing Company's Burning River Fest, visit www.GreatLakesBrewing.com or call (216) 771-4404.