How to Do CLE
Contributor(s): Bethel Mieso (’21), Michelle Cruz (MSTP), Ashley Estes (’23), Nichola Bomani (’23)
Contributor(s): Bethel Mieso (’21), Michelle Cruz (MSTP), Ashley Estes (’23), Nichola Bomani (’23)
Cleveland, OH
Welcome to Cleveland, Ohio where the residents are proud and the visitors are always pleasantly surprised. Named as a top destination to visit in 2018 by the National Geographic, it’s clear that this city—once known as the mistake by the lake—is undergoing a revival.
Brief History
During the late nineteenth century, Cleveland became an important industrial city. Located along numerous transportation routes as well as near large deposits of coal and iron ore, the city prospered. Cleveland became a leader in cultural and social activities in northern Ohio during the late 1800s and the early 1900s. In 1894, Euclid Beach Park opened and locals referred to it as Cleveland's "Coney Island." Cleveland has been named an All-America City on several occasions over the past twenty years.
African Americans in Cleveland
Cleveland’s black history spans more than 200 years - all the way back to 1809, when George Peake crossed the Cuyahoga River by St. Clair Street. Cleveland's first permanent African-American settler was said to be a crafty inventor - the first in a long line of black innovators to come from the area. Cleveland was a center of abolitionism before the Civil War, Between 1890-1915, the beginnings of mass migration from the South increased Cleveland's black population substantially. The period from 1915-30 was one of both adversity and progress for black Clevelanders. Industrial demands and a decline in immigration from abroad during World War I created an opportunity for black labor, and hundreds of thousands of black migrants came north after 1916. African American culture is deeply woven into the fabric of Cleveland's history. Whether it's the accomplishments of figures like Olympian Jesse Owens and inventor Garrett Morgan or the brilliant work of actress and activist Ruby Dee or even the political firsts of Carl and Louis Stokes, it's clear to see that Clevelanders have left an indelible mark on the world.
Link to Black-owned businesses in Cleveland
Latinos in Cleveland
In 1990, 20,290 individuals in Greater Cleveland spoke Spanish. The largest linguistically defined segment composed of migrants from Puerto Rico and immigrants from Cuba, Mexico, South and Central America, and Spain. The overwhelming majority of the local Spanish-speaking population consists of Puerto Ricans, many of who settled after World War II because of Cleveland’s diverse job opportunities. Mexicans constitute the 2nd-largest Spanish-speaking ethnic group in Cleveland. While the Mexican population declined as a result of the Depression, Mexican immigrants were recruited during by the steel industry in Cleveland and Lorain during the 1940s. Most of Cleveland's Cubans came to the city following Castro's seizure of power in 1959. Some sought to continue their education in the Cleveland area; others sought jobs in the export and import business. Eventually many decided to stay in Cleveland permanently and married Clevelanders or sent for their families to join them.
Native Americans in Cleveland
The tiny Native American community of early 20th-century Cleveland was largely a transient one. Census statistics show only 2 Native American residents in the city in 1900; 48 in 1910; and 34 in 1920. On the eve of World War II, 47 American Indians resided in Cuyahoga County. The city's Native American community increased notably following World War II. The Relocation Services Program, administered through the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Interior Department, designated Cleveland as one of the 8 cities in which to resettle reservation Natives. The bureau established an office in Cleveland in late 1952 to administer the relocation, which included housing, jobs, and training programs. Over 5,000 individuals were settled in Cleveland as a result. The Cleveland’s major league baseball team was founded in 1901 but became known as the Indians in 1915 after Louis “Chief” Sockalexis a player for the older MLB team. After decades of protests over the insensitivity of the Chief Wahoo logo used for the team, the MLB officially retired the logo following the 2018 season.
Ten Fun Facts
Historical information obtained from:
Case Western Reserve University's Department of History, the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History
To get started, check out Cleveland Scene’s Bucket List and this year-round calendar of upcoming events from This is Cleveland.
Welcome to Cleveland, Ohio where the residents are proud and the visitors are always pleasantly surprised. Named as a top destination to visit in 2018 by the National Geographic, it’s clear that this city—once known as the mistake by the lake—is undergoing a revival.
Brief History
During the late nineteenth century, Cleveland became an important industrial city. Located along numerous transportation routes as well as near large deposits of coal and iron ore, the city prospered. Cleveland became a leader in cultural and social activities in northern Ohio during the late 1800s and the early 1900s. In 1894, Euclid Beach Park opened and locals referred to it as Cleveland's "Coney Island." Cleveland has been named an All-America City on several occasions over the past twenty years.
African Americans in Cleveland
Cleveland’s black history spans more than 200 years - all the way back to 1809, when George Peake crossed the Cuyahoga River by St. Clair Street. Cleveland's first permanent African-American settler was said to be a crafty inventor - the first in a long line of black innovators to come from the area. Cleveland was a center of abolitionism before the Civil War, Between 1890-1915, the beginnings of mass migration from the South increased Cleveland's black population substantially. The period from 1915-30 was one of both adversity and progress for black Clevelanders. Industrial demands and a decline in immigration from abroad during World War I created an opportunity for black labor, and hundreds of thousands of black migrants came north after 1916. African American culture is deeply woven into the fabric of Cleveland's history. Whether it's the accomplishments of figures like Olympian Jesse Owens and inventor Garrett Morgan or the brilliant work of actress and activist Ruby Dee or even the political firsts of Carl and Louis Stokes, it's clear to see that Clevelanders have left an indelible mark on the world.
Link to Black-owned businesses in Cleveland
Latinos in Cleveland
In 1990, 20,290 individuals in Greater Cleveland spoke Spanish. The largest linguistically defined segment composed of migrants from Puerto Rico and immigrants from Cuba, Mexico, South and Central America, and Spain. The overwhelming majority of the local Spanish-speaking population consists of Puerto Ricans, many of who settled after World War II because of Cleveland’s diverse job opportunities. Mexicans constitute the 2nd-largest Spanish-speaking ethnic group in Cleveland. While the Mexican population declined as a result of the Depression, Mexican immigrants were recruited during by the steel industry in Cleveland and Lorain during the 1940s. Most of Cleveland's Cubans came to the city following Castro's seizure of power in 1959. Some sought to continue their education in the Cleveland area; others sought jobs in the export and import business. Eventually many decided to stay in Cleveland permanently and married Clevelanders or sent for their families to join them.
Native Americans in Cleveland
The tiny Native American community of early 20th-century Cleveland was largely a transient one. Census statistics show only 2 Native American residents in the city in 1900; 48 in 1910; and 34 in 1920. On the eve of World War II, 47 American Indians resided in Cuyahoga County. The city's Native American community increased notably following World War II. The Relocation Services Program, administered through the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Interior Department, designated Cleveland as one of the 8 cities in which to resettle reservation Natives. The bureau established an office in Cleveland in late 1952 to administer the relocation, which included housing, jobs, and training programs. Over 5,000 individuals were settled in Cleveland as a result. The Cleveland’s major league baseball team was founded in 1901 but became known as the Indians in 1915 after Louis “Chief” Sockalexis a player for the older MLB team. After decades of protests over the insensitivity of the Chief Wahoo logo used for the team, the MLB officially retired the logo following the 2018 season.
Ten Fun Facts
- Cleveland was named after founder, General Moses Cleaveland. The "a" was dropped when the local newspaper didn't have enough space on its masthead to fit it.
- The first electric traffic light was installed in Cleveland.
- Euclid Avenue used to be known as “Millionaire’s Row” with lavish mansions lining the streets, John D. Rockefeller.
- Dr. Rene Favaloro performed the first saphenous vein coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Cleveland.
- The Cuyahoga River caught on fire in 1969.
- Life Savers candy was invented in Cleveland.
- Playhouse Square is the largest performing arts center outside of the New York.
- Superman was created in Cleveland by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
- The Avengers, A Christmas Story, and Men in Black were filmed in Cleveland. You can find the Christmas Story House in the Tremont neighborhood.
- Halle Berry was born in Cleveland.
Historical information obtained from:
Case Western Reserve University's Department of History, the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History
To get started, check out Cleveland Scene’s Bucket List and this year-round calendar of upcoming events from This is Cleveland.
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Restaurants
Brazilian
Grocery Stores
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Bars/Nightlife Downtown
The Flats
Pepper Pike
Cleveland Heights
Ohio City
Places of Worship
Hair Straightening
Twists/Braids
Barbershops
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