The deep glen that is now part of the Lake Metro Park system, was colloquially known as "Penitentiary Gully" because, according to the local lore, if anyone accidently fell into the gorge, it would be darn near impossible to get out. Whether or not that is true is hard to say. The glen does have steep sides carved by Stoney Brook.
Penitentiary Glen, which is opened to the public in 1980. It is known for the deep gorge that divides the park in two. Today the park includes over 400 acres that has a Nature Center, Wildlife Center, butterfly gardens, and plenty of scenic hiking trails.
Settlers in the early 1880s called the gorge "Penitentiary Glen," because it was difficult to get out of the deepest part, much like a prison or penitentiary.
Blanche and Samuel Halle bought much of the land here in 1912. They called it Hallefarm. The farm remained in the family until 1975 when the Lake Metroparks purchased the land and began development of what would eventually become Penitentiary Glen Reservation.
In the early 1890s, Moses Halle gave his two sons Salmon and Samuel a $10,000 gift. With that gift was the caveat that they either use the money to pay for college, or use it to start their own business. They opted to start their own business which was a haberdashery in downtown Cleveland. That was the beginning of the Halle Brothers Co. Department Store and eventually had a workforce of over 3,000 employees. In 1982 with a downturn in the economy and increasing competition, the iconic Cleveland department store closed permanently.
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