MAHONING MOVEMENT: a history and advocacy of transportation especially through the Mahoning Valley

This is the student work of Jacob Harver in the process of obtaining an American Studies M.A. from YSU and now beginning the History Ph.D Program at KSU. The positive economic and cultural impact that the trail will have on the independent small businesses of the Mahoning Valley also connects it to the mission of the Lemon Grove and Knox Bldg. Appreciations to the business for hosting this page and support.

There is buzz today about the “Voltage Valley," the potential for GM Lordstown’s conversion to electric car production. However, there is a concurrent transportation revolution, which can also generate an economic impact for the region, its quality of life, environmental sustainability, mobility/ accessibility, while rooted in its culture and history: titled here as Mahoning Movement. It is centered on Interpreted Accessible Active Transportation Trails: universally accessible (e.g. wheelchair accessible, culturally inclusive) dedicated hike & bike paths with information panels and exhibits. The majority of the network east of the Mississippi is in place, but for one missing link between Struthers and Ravenna. It can be made a reality in the near future through Eastgate Regional Council of Governments’ Mahoning River Corridor Plan and enacting the Steel Valley National Heritage Area proposed by Congressman Tim Ryan.

This project examines the history of transportation in America with a focus on the Mahoning Valley, and advocates its future potential. It utilizes GIS: Geographic Information System Mapping, as a scientific method in topography, to deliver historical documentation (including geo-referenced maps and Audio Visual field recordings), an augmentation to traveling the trail (like a virtual historic marker accessed on a mobile device), and an ultimate extrapolation of Universal Accessibility, in that anyone with internet access can experience.

Spring 2022: The final “Master’s Edition” of Mahoning Movement for American Studies Applied History Tract at YSU. A very special thanks to the faculty for the instruction and advisement over the years, and happy retirement Dr. Leary!