Cleveland history

The history of Cleveland is a classic example of an American city that grew from a frontier settlement into a major industrial centre, thanks to its strategic location and the enterprising spirit of its residents. The city was established in the late 18th century and quickly became a key hub on the map of the Great Lakes region.

The city was founded on July 22, 1796, by an expedition led by General Moses Cleaveland. He was the chief surveyor for the Connecticut Land Company, which had purchased these lands, known as the Connecticut Western Reserve. The settlement was named in his honour — Cleaveland. A popular legend states that the first letter "a" disappeared from the name in the 1830s when a local newspaper editor shortened it to fit into a headline.

From the very beginning, Cleveland's development was defined by its advantageous geographical position. Key factors included:

• Geographical Location: Situated on the shores of Lake Erie at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, the location created ideal conditions for the development of a port and transport hub. This provided access to waterways connecting the east of the country with inland territories.
• Trade and Transport: The completion of the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1832 provided a powerful boost to economic growth by connecting the Great Lakes with the Ohio River and, consequently, the Mississippi. Later, the development of the railway network turned the city into an important industrial and logistics centre.
• Industry: In the 19th century, Cleveland became one of the centres of American heavy industry, specialising in steel production, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. This attracted both capital and a workforce to the city.

The initial layout of the city reflected its New England origins, with a central Public Square modelled after towns in Connecticut. In the 19th century, thanks to the industrial boom, Cleveland became home to many wealthy industrialists, including John D. Rockefeller, who founded the Standard Oil company here. By the early 20th century, the city ranked among the top five largest in the USA by population and was considered one of the wealthiest. Rapid growth also contributed to the formation of a multinational population through waves of immigration from Europe, particularly from Germany, Ireland, Poland, and Italy.

Key Dates in the History of Cleveland

• 1796 — On July 22, a surveying party led by General Moses Cleaveland establishes a settlement on the shores of Lake Erie.
• 1814 — The settlement of Cleveland officially receives village status.
• 1831 — The city's name changes from "Cleaveland" to "Cleveland", allegedly to fit into a newspaper headline.
• 1832 — Completion of the Ohio and Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Ohio River and gave a powerful impetus to the city's economic growth.
• 1836 — Cleveland receives city status; John W. Willey becomes its first mayor.
• 1870 — John D. Rockefeller, together with partners, founds the Standard Oil company in Cleveland, which would soon dominate the oil industry.
• 1901 — Tom L. Johnson, a renowned reformer, is elected mayor, marking the beginning of the "Progressive Era" in city governance.
• 1920 — The city's population reaches its peak, and Cleveland becomes the fifth-largest city in the USA.
• 1948 — The "Cleveland Indians" baseball team wins the World Series.
• 1967 — Carl Stokes is elected mayor, becoming the first African American to lead a major American city.
• 1978 — The city declares financial default, becoming the first major US city to do so since the Great Depression.
• 1995 — The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opens on the shores of Lake Erie, becoming one of the city's main attractions.

Major Stages of Cleveland's Development

• Construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal (1832): This project became a catalyst for growth, transforming Cleveland from a small village into an important transport and trade hub. The canal connected Lake Erie with the Ohio River, opening access to the country's inland waterways and stimulating commercial activity.
• Industrial Boom and the "Gilded Age" (Late 19th Century): The founding of Standard Oil by John D. Rockefeller and the development of the steel industry turned the city into one of the largest industrial centres in the USA. This period brought immense wealth to the city, reflected in the construction of luxurious mansions on "Millionaire's Row" (Euclid Avenue).
• Implementation of the "Group Plan" (1903): One of the earliest and most comprehensive urban planning projects in the USA, inspired by the "City Beautiful" movement. Under this plan, a central public park (The Mall) was created, and iconic public buildings in the Beaux-Arts style were erected, shaping the monumental look of downtown.
• Peak Growth and the Van Sweringen Brothers Era (1920–1930s): By 1920, Cleveland had become the fifth-largest city in the country. During this time, the Van Sweringen brothers implemented ambitious projects, including the construction of the Terminal Tower skyscraper and the development of the prestigious suburb of Shaker Heights, connected to the centre by a rapid transit line.
• Post-War Crisis and Deindustrialisation (1960–1970s): The city faced serious economic and social challenges due to the reduction of industrial production and the outflow of population to the suburbs. The fire on the Cuyahoga River in 1969 drew nationwide attention to environmental problems, and the financial default of 1978 became the lowest point of this period.
• Urban Renaissance (1990s): Beginning in the 1980s, Cleveland started on a path to recovery. Key projects included the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and the construction of the Gateway sports complex. These initiatives helped revitalise the city centre and reorient the economy towards services, tourism, and culture.
• Emergence as a Hub for Medicine and Education (21st Century): Cleveland's modern economy relies heavily on the "Eds and Meds" sector (education and medicine). Institutions such as the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University have become major employers and engines of innovation in the region.

The architectural appearance of Cleveland is a visual history of an American city that has lived through eras of industrial prosperity, post-war challenges, and modern revival. The urban landscape represents a mix of styles, from monumental classicism to bold modernism, each reflecting a specific stage in the city's development.

Early Growth and the "City Beautiful" Movement

In the 19th century, during an era of rapid industrial growth, Cleveland's architecture reflected the wealth of its industrialists. Although many Victorian mansions on the famous "Millionaire's Row" on Euclid Avenue have not survived, the spirit of that era laid the foundation for ambitious urban planning. A turning point was the Group Plan of 1903, one of the first comprehensive urban planning projects in the USA. Inspired by the "City Beautiful" movement, it formed a monumental city centre around the public space known as The Mall. Key buildings from this period are designed in Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical styles and include:

• Cuyahoga County Courthouse — A majestic structure that became a model of civic architecture.
• Cleveland Public Library — An elegant building symbolising the city's commitment to education and culture.
• Cleveland City Hall — A monumental edifice completing the ensemble of government buildings.

The Era of Art Deco and Modernism

The 1920s and 1930s brought Art Deco influences to Cleveland. The most iconic symbol of this era became the Terminal Tower (1930) — a skyscraper that was for a long time the tallest building in North America outside of New York. Its architecture combines elements of Beaux-Arts and Art Deco, embodying the city's ambitions. The post-war period was marked by the arrival of Modernism and the International Style. A striking example is Erieview Tower — a strict and sleek skyscraper reflecting the functional approach to mid-20th-century architecture.

Contemporary Architecture and Renaissance

Since the late 20th century, Cleveland has been experiencing an architectural renaissance, creating new landmarks that attract tourists from all over the world. Undoubtedly, the most famous modern building is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1995), designed by the world-renowned architect I.M. Pei. Its bold composition of glass and geometric forms on the shore of Lake Erie has become a new symbol of the city. In the 21st century, the architectural landscape continues to evolve with the expansion of the Cleveland Museum of Art and the construction of ultra-modern buildings for the Cleveland Clinic, highlighting the city's status as an important cultural and medical hub.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Cleveland

Cleveland has been the home or launching pad for many iconic figures in history, culture, sports, and business. Here are some of those who left a significant mark on the history of the city and the world:

• John D. Rockefeller — Industrialist and philanthropist. In 1870, Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil company in Cleveland, which made him the wealthiest man of his time and turned the city into one of the key industrial centres of the USA. His legacy is still visible in the city, even though he later moved his headquarters to New York.
• Jesse Owens — Track and field athlete, four-time Olympic champion. Although Owens was born in Alabama, he moved to Cleveland as a child. It was here, at East Technical High School, that his athletic talent was discovered, which later brought him worldwide fame at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.
• Carl Stokes — Politician and diplomat. In 1967, Carl Stokes made history by becoming the first African American elected mayor of a major American city. His election as the head of Cleveland became an important milestone in the civil rights movement in the USA.
• Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster — Creators of Superman. These two friends, who studied at Cleveland's Glenville High School, created one of the most recognisable superheroes in the world in the 1930s. Superman, who first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938, was born from their imagination right here in Cleveland.
• LeBron James — Basketball player. One of the greatest players in basketball history, James began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2016, he led the team to its first-ever NBA championship title, ending a 52-year championship "drought" for the city's professional sports teams.
• Halle Berry — Actress. Born in Cleveland on August 14, 1966, Berry became one of the most famous Hollywood actresses. In 2002, she became the first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
• Langston Hughes — Poet and writer. One of the leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes spent his teenage years in Cleveland, where he attended Central High School. It was here that he began to seriously pursue literature, and this period had a major influence on his work.