Watching Cleveland grow must have been an incredible experience for Clevelanders in the 1800's. The city has undergone incredible change since its founding in 1796. Within its first decade, only 57 residents called the city home. In fact, the city stayed fairly small until the 1820's, when the Erie Canal provided a new form of transportation. By the time railroads came to Cleveland in the 1850's, the landscape had changed dramatically, and Cleveland became an industrial city with a growing population. In May of 1890, everything changed when the first indoor shopping center in America opened its doors right here in Cleveland. Since then, the Cleveland Arcade and its neighboring 5th Street Arcades have stood as silent witnesses to the city's evolution.

1. Festivities at The Arcade in 1895.

What we now affectionately refer to as "The Old Arcade" was still young in 1895 when the Republican National League decided to host their annual meeting there. The meeting established Cleveland as one of the major political cities in the United States, further enhancing the political tone of the group and setting the stage for Governor William McKinley's presidential nomination. Two thousand representatives and two thousand alternatives flooded into the city, taking in the sights and sounds of a booming industrial city.

2. Modern festivities cast the building in a golden hue.

The elegance of The Arcade has been flawlessly preserved. It was originally designed by John M. Eisenmann and George H. Smith to mimic the feel of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. The building originally cost a whopping $875,000, an amount that was financed by famous Cleveland Industrialists including John D. Rockefeller and Louis Severance.

3. The Euclid Arcade circa 1900.

Did you know Cleveland has more than one arcade? While the Old Arcade is perhaps the most iconic, its younger sisters are just as enchanting. The Euclid Arcade opened its doors in 1911, just a hundred feet west of the 1898 Colonial Arcade. The stunning white marble floors of this structure reflect the light of its grand skylight, making the space gloriously bright and pleasant.

4. A visit to The 5th Street Arcades.

Today, the Euclid and Colonial Arcades are attached via a food court to form one entrancing structure known as The 5th Street Arcades.

5. A glimpse back in time.

The 5th Street Arcades provide an indoor streetscape that transports locals back to one of Cleveland's most prosperous eras. In 2012, Cumberland Development assumed management of the Arcades and began work to breathe new life into the forgotten structures. Now, The 5th Street Arcades are a bustling hub of culture, providing chic shopping experiences in one of the most beautiful spaces in Cleveland.

6. The Arcade circa 1910.

The 1910's were an exciting decade in Cleveland history, as evidenced by this buzz of activity Downtown. During this era, The Cleveland Indians were born, and so, too, were the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Orchestra.

7. An era of revitalization.

Cleveland reached its peak population in 1950 at nearly one million residents. Following that time, it fell into a period of neglect and steady decline. Some of our stunning structures suffered during this time, and The Old Arcade was no exception. In 2001, a $60 million renovation transformed The Arcade into a spectacular urban gem, returning it to its former glory.

8. Superior Avenue, 1925.

The Old Arcade is an entrancing structure. Its five stories provide room for boutique shops, restaurants, and other services, and its adjacent 10 story towers provide office space.

9. Superior Avenue today.

The Arcade is nicknamed Cleveland’s Crystal Palace, and it is easy to see why. The structure is massive, truly imposing when seen from the street, and filled to the brim with unrivaled elegance.

10. The Colonial Arcade, 1934.

The stunning Georgian revival architecture of the Colonial Arcade dates back to 1898. This two-story structure connects Prospect with Euclid and is dwarfed by the original Arcade. However, it mimics some of the grand elements of the original, such as the detailing on the fixtures near the balconies.

11. Looking toward Cleveland's revival.

Both arcades of The 5th Street Arcades have room for about 40 shops. Today, both are far from empty, offering a unique range of shops that contribute to Downtown Cleveland's revival and art scene.

12. The Arcade in 1946.

Just one decade after the Republican National Convention came to Cleveland yet again, the city was still in a state of growth. However, Cleveland was nearing the beginning of rough times. Following World War II, the city found itself in a state of economic decline, but The Arcade's beauty refused to go unnoticed.

13. The unusual architecture of The Old Arcade continues to dazzle.

Stretching from Euclid to Superior Avenues, this spectacular structure is worth preserving. The over-the-top Victorian architecture exudes elegance, and its historical significance interacts with the architecture to stun and inspire visitors.

14. Downtown Cleveland in 1979.

In 1978, Cleveland defaulted on its financial obligations. It was the first city to do so since the Great Depression. In a state of decline, the city struggled to recover until 1987.

15. Facing a Cleveland icon.

The reliefs framing the iconic Arcade sign feature Steven V. Harkness and Charles Brush, two of the men that financed the building's construction.

16. The architecture of The Arcade in 1987.

In 1975, The Arcade became the first Cleveland structure and the ninth in the nation to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its gargoyles guarded its glass dome, despite occasional threats of demolition over the years.

17. One community comes together.

This iconic building is one of the oldest in Cleveland, and it is certainly one of the most exquisite. Its spectacular architecture has entranced generations, and thanks to the tireless efforts of some very special Clevelanders, it is here to stay.

Cleveland's arcades continue to entrance with their beauty. In fact, the recent revitalization of Downtown Cleveland has almost provided these edifices with new significance. As Cleveland's art scene continues to grow and as local culture becomes more coveted, these ornate structures have enjoyed their status as Cleveland icons.

For the history of other Cleveland icons, check out these historical landmarks.