Jan 14

Jan 14 Exploring the Historical Sites of Cleveland, Ohio

History is everywhere. We can’t all afford to explore the historical wonders of the world, so if you’re a local history lover like me, then you’ll definitely have a good time exploring Cleveland. This city has some amazing historical spots that often get overlooked. Below are some of my favorite historical spots, including monuments, nature, cemeteries, and more.

Soldier’s and Sailors’ Monument

Located in downtown Cleveland in Public Square, the Soldier’s and Sailors’ Monument is a local favorite. It commemorates the American Civil War. On top is the Goddess of Freedom statue that is defended by the Liberty Shield. It shows what the Cuyahoga county veterans were willing to do and give their lives for. Depicted on the esplanade are battle scenes from the Navy, the Artillery, the Infantry, and the Cavalry. Located in the memorial room are sculptures depicting the women’s soldiers and sailors’ aid society, the beginning of the war in Ohio, the emancipation of the slaves, and the end of the war at City Point, VA. Also included are the busts of General James Barnett and the architect/sculptor Levi T. Scofield, with six other officers who were killed/died. The column also lists the names of the 30 battles that soldier’s from Cuyahoga county fought in. In June 2019, 107 names of United States Colored Troop Veterans were added to the monument.

The Cleveland Arcade

Located in downtown Cleveland and nicknamed the Crystal Palace or the “Old Arcade”, the Arcade was the first indoor shopping center in America that opened in 1890. It was modeled after the Galleria Viltorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy, and was designed to be a big city mercantile center. The building cost almost a million dollars to build and was financed by the most esteemed businessmen of Cleveland: John D. Rockefeller, Steven V. Harkess, Louis Severance, Charles Bush, and Marcus Hanna. In regards to the National Register of Historic Places, this was the first building in Cleveland and the 9th in the country. It’s been renovated a couple of times, most recently when it went under a $60 million renovation in 2001.

The West Side Market

It’s Cleveland’s oldest continuously operating municipally owned market that opened in 1912; located in Ohio City. It was one of three public markets in Cleveland that served the growing immigrant population in the early 20th century, but now the West Side Market is the only one that remains. It originally had 109 stands on the inside selling a variety of products, and the produce was sold outside on the curb prior to the outdoor produce aisles being constructed. In 2008, it was dubbed as one of the “10 Great Public Places in America.”

Playhouse Square

Playhouse Square is the country’s largest performing arts center outside of New York as well as the world’s largest theater restoration project. There were five original venues: Ohio, Connor Palace, KeyBank State, Allen, and Hanna. They were constructed in the 1920s within 19 months. But due to the rise of TV and popular flight to suburbia in the late 1960s, all but the Hanna venue was boarded up. In the 1970s there was a grassroots effort to save the historic venues from demolition – and they succeeded. The venues were restored and reopened one by one, which ushered in a new era of downtown revitalization. This media called this “one of the top 10 successes in Cleveland history.”

Fun fact: Peter Ostrum who is known for playing Charlie Bucket in the 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, was a Cleveland native who was performing at the Cleveland Play House Children’s Theatre when noticed by talent agents.

James A Garfield Memorial - April, 2021-2.jpg

Lake View Cemetery

Only in Cleveland is it acceptable to explore a cemetery when you don’t have anyone buried there. Located in the Lake View Cemetery, you’ll find the James A. Garfield Mausoleum. You guessed it, our Former President is buried there, and yes you can actually see the casket (it’s locked behind bars of course). You can explore this multi-level beauty and get stunning views of Cleveland from the roof, learn some history on the mid-levels, or head down these beautiful stairs to the basement to see the Garfield family. Currently under construction as of 2019 though.

Also located in the cemetery is John D. Rockefeller’s obelisk and the local favorite family headstone, the Haserot Angel.