In 1831, Dr. Eliakim Crosby came up with the brilliant ideal of constructing a dam across the Little Cuyahoga River at Middlebury and digging a millrace into Akron. The Cascade Race was able to power numerous mills, including the finest in Akron's history. In 1831-1832, Crosby had a large gristmill constructed next to Lock # 5. It was known as the Stone Mill.