The Cool History of Cleveland

There is no doubt that Cleveland enjoys a rich history. And there is no better month to uncover that rich depth than during Black History Month. I think I may have uncovered a very unique part of Cleveland’s literary past that highlights the very reason we celebrate Black History Month. From 1930 to 1933, a number of local African-American writers, in Cleveland, established the January Club. This was during the influence of the Harlem Renaissance and numerous literary groups began to flourish in the black community. The January Club initially held their meetings at the Karamu House (then located on E. 38th and Central) and later met at the Sterling Branch of the Cleveland Public Library. The Club diligently published three volumes of poetry. The first - Dundo - is widely considered to be the first published anthology of poetry by African-Americans in the United States. Only 500 copies of this anthology were made (and what I would not do to possess but one). The other two anthologies were Shadows and Crispus Attacks. I believe it would be prove to a magical experience to read these anthologies. Seems I will have to travel to the Main Cleveland Public Library for it seems that have saved a single copy of Dundo. I cannot wait.

At the turn of the 20th century as Cleveland was growing in national prominence and enjoying international economic dominance, it needed (as most big cities do) a place or places to unwind from the everyday grind. Many people went to the numerous amusement parks scattered through-out the city. Did you catch that, my friends? Numerous amusement parks! At one time Cleveland had five amusement parks. And I am not talking about Cedar Point or Geauga Lake either. I am talking about amusement parks in the City!

There was the White City Amusement Park located on Lake Shore Boulevard and E. 140th. This amusement park probably had the shortest run of all the parks being operational for only six years (1901 to 1907). But it had a really cool entrance, as seen in this photograph.

It’s a fantastic photo. Can you imagine enjoying a few good moments here…I totally can imagine myself walking the boardwalk. Today it is the site of a sewage disposal plant. Anyway, White City was but a mile away from the more famous Euclid Beach Amusement Park. Many people still talk about the entrance to Euclid Beach, as seen below.

Then there was Puritas Springs Park which was built upon a famous natural water spring (bottled at one time for your pleasure) and featured the famous Cyclone Rollercoaster. I did happen to find a picture of the coaster, here:

Gordon Gardens, tucked away between E. 72nd the lake and the New York Central rail tracks, was the smallest amusement park in Cleveland with only eight acres of rides and amusements. Again, the central attraction was a rollercoaster called the Big Dipper as shown below.

And finally there was Luna Park often called Cleveland’s Fairyland of Pleasure. Luna Park was essentially copied from Coney Island in New York City, and was well known for its “oriental” architecture and massive use of lights. The park opened in 1906 and quickly became an able competitor to Euclid Beach. At the time, Luna Park was an “expansive” 35 acres of fun and was defined by Woodland Avenue, Woodhill, Mt. Carmel and E. 110th Avenue. Today it is part of the Woodhill Homes housing project. But then it was a very magical place. So take a breath, because I am about to blow your mind, man.

Welcome to Luna Park!

What a gorgeous entrance. Which led into a large promenade area, best viewed from this photograph.

Look at this place. Is this not surreal? I still cannot fathom a place like Luna Park existing in the City….but here it is in all its beauty. The amusement park had a famous merry-go-round with 72 hand-carved horses forever spinning in endless circles.

It even had a large dancing pavillon that was a center for all sorts of activities - big bands, vaudeville acts and of course dancing in the evening.

Check this out - Bob Hope (yes, Mr. Showbiz himself) at Luna Park when he was 11-years old.

There was a great concert garden where famous opera singer - Enrico Caruso once performed.

The park had everything. A pool. A rollercoaster. A ferris wheel. A fun house. A roller rink. Rides with funny names like the “Jack Rabbit,” the “Pippin,” “Chute the Shoots,” and a funky ride called the “Rainbow Dip” as seen below.

The park even offered a motordrome. A wood-planked motorcycle speedway. How deliciously dangerous!

The park enjoyed a large following for many, many years. During the Depression, however, the park began to endure many hardships. By the late 1930’s only the skating rink was open, the rest of the park falling into disrepair. In 1940, the City constructed a housing project on the site.

Good-night, Luna Park.

Luna Park Slideshow
http://www.slide.com/r/FLbhM62N6j_z_8HEsF3cjMcKR1etoJLP?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

We have all had a Life Savers candy at some point in our life. (Love the cherry flavored Life Savers. And wintergreen.) But I suspect that not a lot of people know that Life Savers were created in Cleveland. It’s true. Cleveland millionaire chocolatier Clarence A. Crane introduced the Life Savers candy in 1912. Just a short year later, Crane sold the Life Savers trademark to a New York businessman. Anyway, Crane was inspired to create the candy because he was looking for a “summer candy” - a confection that would not melt during the summer, as his chocolate often would during the dog days of summer. He thought the candy looked similar to “life preservers” often found on boats, thus the name Life Savers. The first Life Savers flavor, by the by, was Pep-O-Mint (still a fan favorite). The candies were originally placed in little cardboard tubes, not the foil wrap used today (the New York businessman who acquired the brand invented the wrapper a few years later).

Interesting side note:  Clarence A. Crane is the father of noted Cleveland poet - Hart Crane, whose famous collection The Bridge was published in 1931. Hart Crane leapt to his death while sailing across the Atlantic on a return trip to the United States; ironically never reaching the life saver that was cast his way while overboard.

Is the building above not the coolest thing you have ever seen? Do you know where this building used to be in Downtown Cleveland? It was one of the last art moderne buildings to reside in the City - it is the home of the Bond Clothing Company. And it was located on the northwest corner of East Ninth and Euclid Avenue (think National City Tower today). The Bond Clothing Company was started in the Hickcox Building on the same corner in the 1920’s. Charles Bond founded the firm and it quickly became the largest retail chain for men’s clothing in the United States and was well known for its two piece suit collection for men. Anyway, the Bond Company decided to tear down the Hickox building in 1946 and erected this beautiful monument soon thereafter.

Many stories have been told about the majestic interior including an open terrace and illuminated mirrored columns that extended from the first floor up to the third floor. There was a large curved staircase that allowed patrons to casually walk through the department store and get a great feel about all four floors and the merchandise offered to patrons. I believe that Walker & Weeks was the architect of record. Unfortunately, the store was torn down in 1978 to make way for the National City Tower.

 

The Bond Store Slideshow
http://www.slide.com/r/rBDV_D134z-Gq4G7lC5HVZNsq0s6ETu4?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original