The Cool History of Cleveland

Sunday, June 14, 2009

The Great Lakes Exposition - Part I

Perhaps the greatest "Golden Age" event of Cleveland was the Great Lakes Exposition of 1936 & 1937. The concept behind the Exposition was to celebrate the strong industrial trade of the eight-state region along the Great Lakes as well as to celebrate Cleveland's centennial. A civic committee was formed in early 1936 and quickly raised over $1.5 million for the event. Ground was broke for the event in early April and doors were opened 80-days later in June!

And let me say, the Exposition looked spectacular!

The entrance to the Exposition was the Mall area north of St. Clair Avenue. The lakefront exhibition area was reached by a 350 foot bridge over the railroad tracks and the Exposition itself stretched from the old Municipal Stadium to East 9th Street, with additional development including a Midway amusement area, an international village called the "Streets of the World" and a "Goodyear" blimp landing strip that stretched down to East 20th Street. The development was massive. Not to mention multiple docks for luxury "lake liners" that were bringing attendees from all over the Great Lakes. The picture below gives an outstanding aerial view of the development including the bridge between City Hall and the County Courthouse. (You can actually see two Goodyear blimp's in this photo - one in the center hovering over a "lake liner" and the second a bit above the first but moving to the right!)

Additional showcase space was offered in a large underground exhibition space where the current Convention Center is located and in parts of public hall. While there were numerous buildings and exhibits - there were five main building showcased during the Exposition. The five were the Horticulture Building, the Hall of Progress, the Automotive Building, the Sherwin Williams amphitheatre and the Billy Rose's Aquacade.

The Horticulture Building, simply put, was an Art Deco classic as seen in this photo shot from Lake Erie looking south into the Exposition. Notice the old Municipal Stadium off to the right and in the distance the Terminal Tower.

Rising in three tiers, its stepped terraces facing the lake were rounded, intended to look like the forward decks on an ocean liner. It's entrance was extraordinary!

The Building was a marvelous piece of design and sat on 3.5 acres of land with various horticultural gardens and pools. One of the sculptured gardens can be seen below.

A very stunning building and a shame it is not around anymore.

In part two we will be detailing the Hall of Progress and the Automotive Building. Stay tuned.

Posted by Tech Czar at 04:23:48 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Sunday, June 07, 2009

The Cleveland National Air Races

As the beautiful Cleveland spring turns into, what I hope will be, a gorgeous Cleveland summer - my eyes are always drawn to the lush blue skies. Many of you know I have a vivid imagination, and I can see the sky full of airplanes from the past racing each other for trophies and glory. I, of course, wax nostalgic. But there was a time when the Cleveland National Air Races were internationally known and celebrated. Huge throngs of Clevelanders and many out-of-towners would come to the Cleveland Municipal Airport and see beautiful aircraft compete to be considered the fastest craft in the land.

The National Air Races were held in Cleveland from 1929 to 1949. The City Fathers had just built the Municipal Airport - at the time the largest airport facility in the world - and it came blessed with 50,000 permanent seats (and temporary seats that could push the attendance to over 100,000). The Airport was changed radically over the years, but this photo gives an idea of how large these races were in attendance and scope.

Here is another photo of the grandstands in 1931. The crowds were massive. In fact the Municipal Airport had these grandstands as a "permanent fixture" of the facility. Which is simply mind-boggling to me. But it was true. I have, in fact, seen pictures of the airport from this time period and the grandstands stand out from the rest of the airport.

There were at times over 35 air races held at the event and many cross-country junkets that ended here in Cleveland. In fact, there was a world-famous "Powder Puff" air race for women - a race that Amelia Earhart participated in as well as Blanche Noyes seen below getting into her ride.

Of course, for my money, there is nothing better than a large Zeppelin air ship.

Yes, indeed, the world famous Graf Zeppelin made a cameo appearance at the Cleveland National Air Races in 1929. My - how I wish this photo was in color. I would have really enjoyed seeing this massive ship and the large crowd helping it be taxied in brilliant color.

Of course, there were aircraft at the show...

Really beautiful aircraft.

Two of the more famous races were the Thompson Trophy Race, sponsored by Thompson Products, and the cross-country Bendix Trophy Race, sponsored by the Bendix Company. Unfortunately, not all craft finished could finish the race. There were significant fatalities at the air race mainly the pilots themselves as seen in this photo of a 1929 air plane wreck.

In fact during the 1949 Thompson Trophy race a pilot named Bill Odom crashed his modified P-51C racer into the Berea home of Jeanne Laird, killing himself, Jeanne and her 13 month old son. It was the last year for the races in Cleveland. With few exceptions, the Air Races were held every year from 1920 until 1949. It wasn't until 1964 when Cleveland again began an annual National Air Show event. But the glory days of the event from 1929 until World War II are widely considered some of the finest air races ever held across the globe.

Posted by Tech Czar at 23:06:35 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Never to Be Seen Buildings - Part II (Audience Participation)

I receive great joy in writing about the City of Cleveland and its awesome history. A few months past, I actually deviated a bit from history and wrote about what could have been "The Never Before Seen Skyline of Cleveland, OH"(http://coolhistoryofcleveland.blog.com/2009/1/). The post detailed all the great buildings that were planned in Cleveland but never built. Great pictures!

I am thrilled to say that one of the readers of Cool History of Cleveland sent us an interesting email about other buildings that were planned but never built. (Working on getting photos and the like.) So thank you Paul Koszkalda for the following email:

I have three projects to add. Both were proposed around 1980 give or take a couple years. One was a 22 story (approx.) building for Cardinal Federal Savings. The location was the NW corner of E. 9th and Superior where the Hampton Inn is now. Another was a similar size building for Sherwin-Williams. This was to be built on the west side of Ontario between Prospect and Huron over the rapid tracks. It was to fill the gap were the giant Lebron James banner hangs now. I never heard anything else after the announcements. As I recall both were to be long narrow structures, flat on top and with alternating horizontal bands of windows, possibly a silver exterior, similar to One Cleveland Center, but rectangular in shape. This is how I remember them after 30 years. I remember them as similar designs. The third was a hotel on the west side of E 9th between Bolivar and Eagle at the east end of the gateway parking structure. It was announced in the late 90's. There was some follow up news about it, but if never happened.

In the 90's Richard Bowen Architects were going to build a project called Crittenden Courts on West 9th. I think that is the one you asked about. They were going to relocate their office to that site. I think the parking deck to the north of the Western Reserve Building was all that was built.

I saw the blueprints for the Progressive project on Mall C back in the early 90's. I worked for an engineering firm that was doing work on the new Willard Park Garage. We had to design the garage to allow for the Progressive Project. At the same time we were doing site work for Peter Lewis' new house and art gallery. It was designed by Gehry and it was his normal wacky kind of design. None of the structures contained any right angles it was really wild. It was to be built either just north or on the site where Legacy Village is now. I don't remember exactly. For some reason Lewis never built the house.

Plus, I seem to remember North Point at E 9th and Lakeside had a much different design when announced. Oh. I remember some motel/hotel to be built on the former Shell gas station "triangle" at Ontario and Carnegie. They had a sign on the site for a couple years, late 90's maybe later."

Kudos to you, Paul. And hey - if anyone out there in Cleveland has any fascinating tidbits about Cleveland History send them to me at mdealoia@mac.com.

Posted by Tech Czar at 16:01:33 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Historic Photos of Cleveland

On occassion a good dose of surprise can alter history. Indeed, the Cool History of Cleveland blog got a bit startled recently when it received an email from Corinne Kalasky of Turner Publishing asking if we would be up for a book review - a review on the book "Historic Photos of Cleveland." As many of you know the Cool History of Cleveland blog is dedicated to all things cool and fascinating about Cleveland's past and the opportunity to discuss an entire book on Cleveland was just too hot to pass up. The book - written and researched by Ronald L. Burdick and Margaret L. Baughman - is a beautiful reflection on the staggering richness that is Cleveland. Both authors are resident at the Cleveland Public Library and have access to photos and research that most Clevelanders do not. The results are stunning. "Historic Photos of Cleveland" resonates to what Cool History of Cleveland has been saying for a few years - this town has a history and depth that most cities could never offer.

One of the unintended consequences of the book is the focus on Euclid Avenue - true enough Euclid was a historic and powerful avenue that wears the boom and the busts of Cleveland well (too well recently). Within a few years one can see the powerful transformation this once bustling residential street made into a symbol of industrial and banking influence and interests. This photo of Euclid Avenue in 1890 (shot a bit east of where East Sixth would be today) offers a beautiful tree lined street bustling with some commerce and residences. The building in the middle of the photograph (at right) with the two flags at its top is the recently built Arcade.

Eight short years later this breezy, tree covered boulevard is a provocative symbol of the new age of commerce. Eight years later! Look at the bustle and size of Euclid Avenue. There had to be a great sense pride within the City. The transformation is shocking.

What makes these photos fascinating is that they both share a common marker - the Arcade. In the above photo the Arcade is the last building on the far right. This is a boom town, ladies and gentlemen. This is not your contemporary Cleveland.

Want to see Cleveland at its Zenith? Take a peek at this photo taken in 1933 where thousands (and I do mean thousands) of Clevelanders watch uniformed policemen march on Euclid Avenue toward Public Square. Again, our common marker the beautiful Arcade is on prideful display! It is now on the left hand of the photo next to the "Sherman" sign. Cleveland is alive and full of vigor.

And finally this gorgreous shot of Euclid Avenue in 1941 - a street crowded with pedestrians, buses, cars and trolleys. Yet again we have our marker the Arcade just right of the W. B. Davis building (and check out that beautiful Rosenblum's Store with the Hills Restaurant in front). If only I could have seen Euclid when it looked like this.

Another fascinating photo is this rich shot of the 1922 Republican National Convention in Public Hall. You not only get a great sense of how beautiful Public Hall is (and it is so very rarely used anymore) but how important Cleveland was to the world.

And finally, one last captivating shot. The photo below is a stunning view of the 1936 and 1937 Great Lakes Exposition. The shot is taken from a lake view but the Exposition is positioned between City Hall on the upper left of the photo and the Cuyahoga County Court House on the right. Did you notice the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium on the far right? The most fascinating part of this photograph is the lake liner (large ship) that is docked near the bottom right of the photo. Are you kidding me? Dynamic.

I have to give serious props to Ronald L. Burdick, Margaret L. Baugham and all the good people at Turner Publishing (www.turnerpublishing.com). They did us proud with "Historic Photos of Cleveland." If you are a collector of books on Cleveland history this tome is a must!

Posted by Tech Czar at 01:27:15 | Permanent Link | Comments (6) |

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A City of Theaters - Part I

Today Cleveland considers itself quite lucky that a number of its theaters have survived and are still in existence. One only has to visit Playhouse Square - with the State, Ohio, Allen, Palace and Hanna Theaters - to see what saving a historical theater can bring to a downtown area. The Cool History of Cleveland wrote of the Euclid Hippodrome earlier (see http://coolhistoryofcleveland.blog.com/2008/1/). The Hipp, as it was affectionately known, was a national treasure.

Truth is James Levine saving the Cleveland Public Theater and the redevelopment of the Capital Theater on W. 65th and Detroit Avenue are good works which should be rewarded with our attendance at all theater shows. Cleveland has but a few of the great theaters it once was blessed to have. Indeed, Cleveland has a rich history of great theaters and torrid past of tearing them down for ill-advised urban projects. But please stroll down memory lane with me and we take a peek at a few of Cleveland's once proud theaters.

The Academy of Music
Perhaps the most historical of all Cleveland Theaters would be the Academy of Music which opened to large Cleveland audiences in 1853. The theater itself was housed on the third and fourth floors of this gorgeous building which was built on the corner on Bank Street (now West Sixth) and St. Clair. Today this area is a parking lot. A number of famous stage actors of the day graced the gaslit stage on St. Clair including John Wilkes Booth. In fact, Booth's last performance before the Lincoln assassination was at the Academy of Music. A crazy historical footnote. The theater was destroyed by a fire in 1892 and a commercial structure was built on the site.

The Alhambra Theater
At one time the City of Cleveland had two distinct downtown areas - the current downtown location and a second downtown area located at E. 105th and Euclid known as Doan's Corner. (The old Elysium, once the largest indoor ice skating rink in the world, was located at E. 105th and Euclid as well. See the story here http://coolhistoryofcleveland.blog.com/2008/12/.) Anyway, located near the corner of E. 105th was the stunning Alhambra Theater - "The House with the Organ."

A bustling intersection full of life and vigor. The Alhambra was opened at the turn of the 20th Century and was considered one of the most famous vaudeville theaters in the U.S. Bob Hope often noted the Alhambra Theater and the pull of the stage that eventually got him into show business. I find the above photo such a romantic reminder of how Cleveland used to be. The next photo - shot from almost the same vantage point - shows the crumbling Alhambra in the early 1970's.

The theater was eventually torn down and the land is now part of the landscape of the Cleveland Clinic.

The Circle Theater
Also along Doan's Corner thriving business and entertainment district was the Circle Theater - which was conveniently located directly across the street from the Alhambra Theater. Originally known as the Hoffman Theater, the Circle was entertaining up to 2,000 patrons a night with vaudeville, stage shows and eventually movies. The theater hit some dark days after World War II but briefly enjoyed a renaissance as a showcase for up and coming acts like Dottie West and Elvis Presley. In fact, the King's first two performances in Cleveland were at the Circle Theater. The theater was torn down in the early 1960's. But in its heyday it was a stunning place. The photo below shows a mob of cars and trolleys at E. 105th and Euclid with the Alhambra on the left hand side of the photo and the Circle directly acorss the street on the right.

The Aragon
This theater holds the historical footnote as being the last ballroom to have been open from the big band era in Cleveland. It was opened in 1930 on West 25th on the site of an old roller rink. The Aragon's performers were a who's who of the time - with Glenn Miller, The Dorsey's, Freddy Martin, Guy Lombardo and the Andrews Sisters all blessing the stage. In fact, radio broadcasts from big bands continued until the mid 1960's. Unfortunately, the Aragon has opened and closed many times since then. Today the building is still on West 25th waiting for the next big band to grace its stage.

The Embassy Theater
The Embassy was originally known as the Columbia Theater and was opened in the fall of 1887 on Euclid Avenue. The Embassy favored melodramas, vaudeville and comic opera. In fact, the theater was one of the first "burlesque" theaters in Cleveland (although it was considered a "refined" burlesque theater with the men viewers seperated from the women who were watching from special balconey seating). The theater was famous for its hidden tunnel to the Oaks Cafe on Vincent Street and its marble stairs leading to a special bar on Euclid Avenue. In 1938 most of the original theater was torn down and replaced with a "modern movie theater." The Embassy was torn down in 1979 to make way for the National City Bank Building.

I love this photo for a couple of reasons - great street lights on the south side of Euclid (essentially you are viewing Euclid Avenue and the corner of East Night) and I love the street car rails in the middle of the street. Cool stuff.

All of the theaters mentioned here are but a tip of the proverbial iceberg - soon we will be offering some good history on the Alpha Theater, the Colonial Theater, Keith's Theater, the Castle Theater, the Columbia Theater, the Garden Theater, the Stillman and the Grand Vaudeville Theater. It is true Cleveland enjoys a rich tradition of arts and culture - but why does it seem as if we have lost so much of it?

Posted by Tech Czar at 02:50:36 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Never Before Seen Skyline of Cleveland, Ohio

I have always been enamored by Cleveland's skyline. Especially from any West Side Bridge, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. When viewed from these special perspectives the city seems to just explode from the ground up to the sky. A very impressive sight indeed. But have you ever considered what the skyline of Cleveland might have been?

I am dedicating this post to a number of skyscrapers that could have altered the Cleveland skyline for the better. Most were actually designed, planned and approved for development. Most were not built for economic reasons I suspect. But if built they would be full (I really believe this) because these buildings would demonstrate growth in the Downtown core and they would be cool as hell. (Must give a big shout out to Cleveland Skyscrapers @ www.clevelandskyscrapers.com.) Also, this post does not include other skyscrapers that have been TORN-DOWN and never replaced. More on that later.

THE PROGRESSIVE TOWER

No other building would have transformed Cleveland more than the Progressive Insurance Tower. An impressive design by Frank Gehry (who finally got his Cleveland "piece" when the Weatherhead School was built at Case Western Reserve University). The design was presented in 1987 and building slated to begin 18-24 months later. The Cleveland aristocracy "screwed the pooch" on this one and upset Peter B. Lewis then CEO of Progressive Insurance. Progressive then moved all operations to an eastern suburb. (Whose name I cannot even muster the strength to mention...truth is, this building should have been built.)This would have been a massive building at over 1,000,000 square feet. Huge!

Planned to be constructed on the northern area of the Burnham Mall over the railsite between Cleveland City Hall and the County Court House. The building was slated to include a hotel, an art museum, a creativity center, a health club and a research center. Pearched atop the building would have been a folded newspaper. I can only say that this building would have had a tremendous transformative effect on Downtown.

THE AMERITRUST TOWER

A lot of Clevelanders forget that when the Key Tower was being constructed it was to be part of a "twin development" at Public Square that was to include the Ameritrust Tower as well. The building was planned to be well over 60 stories which would have made it, easily, the largest skyscraper in Cleveland at 1,200 feet tall. This project was cancelled, obviously, when Society Savings (now Key Bank) acquired Ameritrust. But imagine Key Tower on the Northeast side of Public Square and this behemoth on the west side of Public Square (at Superior Avenue and Ontario Avenue). Today it is a parking lot. Coupled with the Progressive Insurance Tower. Cleveland would have been blessed with a dominant skyline.

THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL

Clearly not as striking as the Progressive Insurance or Ameritrust Towers, but the Doubletree Hotel complex, to be located on Lakeside Avenue and W. Sixth, would have brought a unique vitality to the Warehouse District. This 28-story building was to include a 300 room Doubletree Hotel (perfect for, say, a Medical Mart), corporate office space, a Fish Market restaurant and a 400-car garage. This would have been a perfect anchor for the Warehouse District as well as for the Brown's Stadium. Plans were announced in September of 1999 that ground-breaking was "immenient." Today, the lot is owned by Cuyahoga County. (What is it with surface parking lots in Cleveland? These lots kill development.) Imagine the crowds this building could have brought to an already robust Warehouse District.

THE OLD AMERITRUST TOWER

I know a few of you will be quick to suggest that this building should not included since the Ameritrust Tower is already built (and empty) and sticks out on East Ninth like a sore thumb. But look at the photo again. Were you aware that the Ameritrust building was supposed to be "twin tower" that extended back onto Euclid Avenue? This Marcel Breuer designed building remains an enigma for downtown. Much was made of the Cuyahoga County government moving its operations to the site. And now the word is of a new development of condos and a hotel. Which, of course, I hope comes to fruition. Say what you will of the building - but it merits new life. But again, imagine the structure as a "twin tower" and what that might have been for Euclid Avenue.

THE "EUCLID AVENUE BUILDING"

This building was announced to the public while construction was beginning on the National City Tower in 1979. Essentially, this building would have stretched from East Ninth west onto Euclid Avenue across the street from the National City Tower and even onto Prospect Avenue to the South. It was a fairly significant proposed development at the time. A number of the buildings along Euclid Avenue that were to be a part of this development were actually torn down (including the historic Hippodrome Theater - which I have written about on Cool History of Cleveland) and remain, you guessed it, surface parking lots. Others were saved including the Schofield Building (corner of East Ninth and Euclid) and the famous City Club Building (also known as the Citizens Building).

THE OHIO WORLD TRADE CENTER BUILDING

The Warehouse District could have had another intriguing development on the southeast corner of St. Clair and West Sixth. Not a revolutionary design achitecturally speaking but would have gobbled up some vacant space and given the Warehouse District some density. Today, it is still a freaking parking lot.

THE MASONIC TOWER

This 24-story beauty was to be built on Euclid Avenue and East 36th in front of the iconic Masonic Temple. The Masonic Tower was to be office space and, in my opinion, would have been a great gateway for the Midtown area. Shame this gorgeous structure was never built.

If anyone knows of other structures planned but never built please let me know @ mdealoia@mac.com. I was made aware of two condo towers that were to be built on West Ninth but I would enjoy knowing of other key structures and their designs.

Posted by Tech Czar at 22:33:35 | Permanent Link | Comments (8) |

Monday, January 05, 2009

Cool History is a Cleveland Magazine "Hot Pick"

Very pleased to announce that the Cool History of Cleveland was picked as one of Cleveland Magazine's "Hot Picks" for Blogs. Check out the article at http://tinyurl.com/8xpx69. It is gratifying to see this blog get some props. I do a lot of writing (two blogs, two published books of poetry, working on a movie script) but nothing gets me as excited and thrilled as the Cool History of Cleveland.

Again, many thanks Cleveland Magazine. And many, many, many thanks to all the great readers of this blog.

Posted by Tech Czar at 13:58:51 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas in Cleveland - Part I

I was walking down Euclid Avenue a few days past when I was struck by a few thoughts...the first being, it really does not feel like Christmas or the Holiday Season downtown this year. I don't believe I am the only one who feels this way. Despite the beautiful decorations in Playhouse Square and the annual Festival of Lights at Public Square - the rest of Euclid Avenue just doesn't seem to have the spirit of years past. Which got me to thinking - what was the Christmas Season like in years past in Cleveland? I found some very spirited photos showing what Christmas used to be like in Cleveland and they are marvelous. And next year I promise to do some more research on Christmas on Euclid Avenue - because I have a sneeky suspicion that are some great photos I did not get to uncover year.

Hey - are you ready for a Christmas Parade?

Where did all these people come from? This photo was taken in 1955 moments before Cleveland's annual Christmas Parade along Euclid Avenue. This particular shot was at the Cole Shoe Store on the south side of Euclid between East Fourth and Euclid pointing towards Public Square. Very near where House of Blues would be today. The crowd is crazy large.

This photo was snapped very close to where the above photo was taken - East Fourth and Euclid albeit from a different vantage point and different year - 1966. But what a gorgeous street scape. Look at all those signs and Christmas decorations!

The next shot is one of my favorite photos in the bunch - it was taken in 1967 under the canopy of the Sterling Linder Store (which would be on the corner of E. 13th and Euclid again looking west toward Public Square).

Look at all these shoppers! Crazy. Look how bright Euclid Avenue looks with the Halle Building across the street. Very exciting.

Speaking of Sterling Linder - it was a Cleveland tradition to take the family to visit this gorgeous department store to view the large Christmas tree that was set up in the lobby.

What a magnificent lobby! With the tiered floors looking down on the large Christmas tree. It is a shame that half of this store was torn down to make a surface parking lot. Just doesn't seem fair to destroy this beautiful building for a few cars, does it? In my next column I will be reviewing some old photos offering a wonderful view of Christmas displays in some of Cleveland's finest Department Stores.

Posted by Tech Czar at 21:41:03 | Permanent Link | Comments (8) |

Monday, December 15, 2008

Cleveland City Hall

As many of you know, I had the privilege of working at Cleveland's City Hall for the past two Mayors of this grand city. City Hall is a gorgeous building. Of course, the Mayor's Office and Council Chambers are stunning as well. But to work in this facility, well, was an honor for such a history buff like myself. In these chambers some of Cleveland's great Mayors worked diligently on behalf of the citizens of this cool city. Men like William Hopkins (actually a City Manager during a short period when Cleveland changed its government structure), Thomas Burke, Anthony J. Celebrezze, Carl B. Stokes, George Voinovich and Michael White. Cleveland's City Hall was developed as part of the 1903 Group Plan of governmental buildings built along the various Malls tucked in between East Sixth and Ontario Avenue. City Hall was placed in perfect symmetry with the county courthouse at the north end of the Mall. Designed by J. Milton Dyer, the city hall has an arcaded ground story, a 2-story Tuscan colonnade, and a central entrance bay characteristic of the Beaux-Arts style.

The Great Hall gave that imposing entrance to a public building that is so lacking anymore. (But certainly gave me a great thrill to walk through every morning.)

What I find amazing is that the "progressive mayors" of Cleveland and perhaps one of the most famous Mayor's in the U.S. - Tom Johnson never worked in the current City Hall. Prior to the this facility, the City of Cleveland in 1875 started leasing the Case Block Building, then located on the north corner of East Third and Superior until the new City Hall was dedicated on July 4th, 1916. However, the Case Block was an impressive building in its own right.

But the most amazing City Hall was the one never built. In 1895 the voters of Cleveland approved a Beaux Arts designed building to be built on the northern quadrants of Public Square. The most eloquent component of its design was the enormous arch spanning over Ontario Avenue for street cars to pass through safely. It was a most amazing and jaw-dropping design.

Unfortunately, after one week of the official ground-breaking the protests from numerous Clevelanders (after voting approval on the project), it was decided not to continue and Cleveland had to wait another twenty years before it received a new City Hall.

Posted by Tech Czar at 02:13:41 | Permanent Link | Comments (6) |

Monday, December 08, 2008

Sheriff Street Market

During my Thanksgiving Day break, if you remember, I posted a piece on the West Side Market - a Cleveland institution. It is not surprising, however, to find that the West Side Market was the only major market place to survive in Cleveland. There were, in fact, many other markets including the East Side Market, the Franklin Circle Market, the Newburgh or Broadway Market; there was even a market place in the old Gordon Square Building (home of the Capital Theater) on Detroit Avenue. But perhaps the most stately of all these markets was the Sheriff Street Market (also known as the New Market).

Sheriff Street is what we now call East Fourth, but then it was a major avenue that connected all the way from Euclid Avenue to Prospect Avenue to Huron Avenue to Bolivar Avenue. If you walked that path today you would see Quicken Loans Arena on this spot. The historical record suggests the market opened up on Christmas Eve in 1891 (although the photo above suggests 1871). The market was privately owned by the Sheriff Street Market & Storage Company. The building itself was located on the east side of Sheriff Street from Huron Avenue to Bolivar.

It is difficult to imagine these days but when the market opened there was no refrigeration so meats and vegetables had to be purchased daily. And the crowds were massive at the Sheriff Street Market. In 1929, a significant part of the market was remodeled as a bus depot. Unfortunately, most of the market was lost in a fire in 1930. The only standing part of the building was the southern most part of the building (in the foreground of the picture above and below).

That part of the Sheriff Street Market was then used for storage until 1950 when it reopened as the Central Market. The Market was a magnificent, and massive, structure especially the middle rotunda area. There are no signs today giving some rememberance to this special market which is unfortunate, but it certainly reinforces my belief of how special Cleveland is.