Black Culture (21st Century) by Kayla LupeanDestination Cleveland
What makes a city unique?
It's the people! In Cleveland, it's the very people who offer you a milkshake at Swensons Drive-In, winter surf on Lake Erie and wander through Downtown's street art scene. Cleveland's culture is a confluence of its gritty past and its refreshing Midwestern character.
Lake Erie (21st Century) by Aerial AgentsDestination Cleveland
So, how did CLE get its character?
Let's start with the history. Originally populated by Erie, Seneca, and Lenape Nations, what we now call "Cleveland" was formally founded in 1796. The city sits along Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, which made it a major center for Great Lakes trade in the early 1800s.
Dyngus Day (21st Century) by Cody YorkDestination Cleveland
An important Union city during the Civil War, Cleveland grew into a major industrial metropolis and a gateway for European and Middle Eastern immigrants, as well as Black American migrants, seeking jobs and opportunity.
The Arcade (21st Century) by Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The ArcadeDestination Cleveland
Becoming an industrial powerhouse
The Civil War vaulted Cleveland into the first rank of American manufacturing cities and fueled unprecedented growth. It became home to numerous major steel productions and became the home base for John D. Rockefeller’s company, Standard Oil.
The Thinker (cont.) (21st Century) by Nathan MigalDestination Cleveland
Cleveland arts on the rise
The spirit of the Progressive Era had a lasting impact on Cleveland. The era of the City Beautiful movement in Cleveland architecture, the period saw wealthy patrons support the establishment of the city's major cultural institutions.
Front view (2013/2013) by Roger MastrioanniThe Cleveland Orchestra
The most prominent among them were the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), which opened in 1916, and The Cleveland Orchestra, established in 1918. From its formation, the CMA offered admission free to the public "for the benefit of all the people forever."
The American Library by Yinka Shonibare MBEFRONT International
Modern-era
Cleveland was one of America's largest cities in the 20th century, but after World War II, it suffered from post-war deindustrialization and suburbanization. The city has pursued a gradual recovery since the 1980s, becoming a major national center for healthcare and the arts.
House of Blues Cleveland (21st Century) by Nathan RogersDestination Cleveland
Cleveland’s evolution continues today
Cleveland has become an exciting destination for performing and fine arts: as the birthplace of rock'n'roll with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and homebase to top institutions like The Cleveland Orchestra and The Cleveland Museum of Art, among many others.
