Lanterman's Falls

Youngstown / Mill Creek Metropark, Ohio, USA

About Lanterman’s Falls

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Lantermans Falls (I’ve also seen it referred to as Lanterman’s Falls) seemed to give me Sleepy Hollow vibes for some strange reason.

Perhaps its appearance right next to the historic Lanterman’s Mill with an attractive covered bridge further upstream made this place seem like it ought to be associated with some kind of lore or legend.

Lanternmans_Falls_097_10042015 - Lanterman's Falls with Lanterman's Mill and the Covered Bridge
Lanterman’s Falls with Lanterman’s Mill and the Covered Bridge

At the same time, I keep thinking that the name of this waterfall was Lanternman’s Falls so the “lantern man” misnomer got me thinking about the Headless Horseman himself!

I couldn’t help but envision this place during twilight or in the evening hours with the mill illuminating just enough to see the silhouette of the Headless Horseman riding through the covered bridge.

Indeed, this place could pass for Sleepy Hollow though the original setting of that story was said to have occurred in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town roughly 25 miles north of New York City.

In any case, as you can see in the photo above, this waterfall had a scenic allure that combines all of these heritage elements with a pleasing 20ft waterfall to boot.

Experiencing Lantermans Falls

Lanternmans_Falls_005_10042015 - Walking on the East Gorge Walk towards the Canfield Road Bridge en route to the Lanterman's Falls and Lanterman's Mill
Walking on the East Gorge Walk towards the Canfield Road Bridge en route to the Lanterman’s Falls and Lanterman’s Mill

From the signposted parking area for Mill Creek Park or Lanterman’s Mill (see directions below), we followed a well-defined trail towards the road bridge.

The trail followed alongside Mill Creek (part of the East Gorge Walk) beneath the road bridge (Canfield Road) before we immediately started to get our views of the mill and waterfall once we emerged on the other side of the bridge.

A few paces further, we reached a junction where we had the option of going up the stairs to the bridge spanning Mill Creek on Canfield Road or continuing to descend to Lanterman’s Mill.

Going up to Canfield Road, we were able to peer down at the Lanterman’s Mill and Falls from various angles.

Lanternmans_Falls_029_10042015 - Context of Julie and Tahia going underneath the Canfield Road Bridge with the Lanterman's Falls and Lanterman's Mill already visible
Context of Julie and Tahia going underneath the Canfield Road Bridge with the Lanterman’s Falls and Lanterman’s Mill already visible

Perhaps the most satisfying angle was towards the far end of the bridge where we also got to see the covered bridge immediately upstream from the mill and falls (see picture at the top of this page).

It was a little bit nerve wracking up at the bridge due to the quantity of cars whizzing by at the same time there was a sheer drop right down into the gorge on the other side of us.

Still, I figured that this was the best spot for photographs.

Going down the steps all the way to the bottom brought us face-to-face with the entrance to Lanterman’s Mill.

Lanternmans_Falls_125_10042015 - Right in front of the Lanterman's Mill, we noticed these gears or grinding stones on display right
Right in front of the Lanterman’s Mill, we noticed these gears or grinding stones on display right

There were a few display items showing some grinding stones or wheels outside, but we had to pay $2 to tour the inside of the mill itself.

The mill was said to still be in operation like it had been back when it was first built in 1845-1846 by German Lanterman and Samuel Kimberly.

The mill used the power of Mill Creek to grind corn, wheat, and buckwheat.

There was a trail going further downstream towards the Canfield Rd bridge where it dead-ended at yet another lookout peering back towards Lantermans Falls and Mill at an angle near the creek level.

Lanternmans_Falls_120_10042015 - Looking back at the gorge walls beneath the Canfield Road Bridge and just downstream of the Lanterman's Mill
Looking back at the gorge walls beneath the Canfield Road Bridge and just downstream of the Lanterman’s Mill

There were also some gorge walls here hinting at the geological forces allowing for this waterfall to exist.

Walking further upstream to the left of the mill, there was a restroom facility as well as a viewing area adjacent to the mill allowing us to view Lantermans Falls from its brink.

As we continued a little further upstream, that was where we saw the attractive covered bridge spanning Mill Creek.

The trails continued both further downstream as well as across the creek, but the bridge was our turnaround point.

Lanternmans_Falls_046_10042015 - This was the attractive covered bridge just upstream from Lanterman's Falls
This was the attractive covered bridge just upstream from Lanterman’s Falls

Nevertheless, we saw many locals on their morning jogs so I’d imagine this was a popular park for Youngstown residents looking to chill or for a bit of exercise.

Overall, we spent about 50 minutes away from the car.

Authorities

Lantermans Falls resides by the Lanerman’s Mill near Youngstown in Mahoning County, Ohio. It is administered by Mill Creek Metroparks. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: youngstown, mill creek, metropark, mahoning, ohio, waterfall, pennsylvania, pittsburgh, autumn, fall colors, sleepy hollow, lantermans mill,lanternmans mill, east gorge walk



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