Here Are Some Of The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Cleveland And They’re Incredible

Cleveland has a spectacularly long history. When Connecticut Land Company surveyors carved townships and our beloved City of Cleveland into Connecticut’s Western Reserve in 1796, a tradition of preservation was sparked. Over the years, Clevelanders have done an impressive job of documenting their accomplishments. Today, old photos of Cleveland, Ohio, depict its past and speak volumes about the city’s expansion. The rare and spectacular glimpse into the past that these old Cleveland photos offer will amaze you.

1. Civil War Veterans, 1865

Hundreds of local soldiers line up along Public Square, a small representation of the thousands of troops the region supplied to the Union Army. Public opinion of the war was remarkably divided, but local officials still teamed up to support Lincoln's war.

2. Staff of Hart and Malone, 1874

William Hart came to Cleveland in 1824 to make his fortune. He studied cabinetry and opened his own furniture business. The good-hearted Hart won the love of Elisabeth Kirk. The couple was quite wealthy, and they decided to adopt some of their nephews and a niece: Edwin, Edward, and Emma Hart. The boys joined the family business, and when Emma married Hezekiah Malone, he, too, joined the family business. Hart and Malone became known for producing some of the finest furniture in Cleveland.

3. The Centennial Celebration, 1876

On July 4, 1876, the entire country was abuzz with festivity. In Sandusky, a Pound Boat Regatta was hosted as part of the celebration. Fireworks and live music completed the event.

4. East 9th Street and Prospect Avenue, 1890

Pictured here is what is thought to be the first electric streetcar in Cleveland. The transportation industry was groundbreaking in Cleveland, and automobiles soon became one of our top industries.

5. Cleveland Flats, 1890

By the mid-19th century, the Flats was considered to be an inhospitable place. Poor Irish immigrants flooded to the area, establishing bars like The Flat Iron. Industry popped up around the area, marking Cleveland as an industrial power, while also polluting the river that would eventually come to develop a sightly different reputation for the city.

6. A young Clevelander, 1897

This image comes from a mysterious collection of photographs dating back to circa 1897. The child, who is seated in a beautifully ornate carriage, may be a member of the Gaylord family, one of the earliest families to settle in Munroe Falls.

7. Patriotism and a pup, 1897

Like the unidentified baby, the identities of these men and their dog have been lost to time. However, they too may be members of the Gaylord family, and may have owned land along the Cuyahoga River.

8. Bedford bridge, 1880

Bedford has a long history as a depot stop. In fact, one such depot, which dates back to 1882, stands today as a museum. The building would have not have been built yet when this photograph of a train on a railway bridge over Tinker's Creek was snapped.

9. A quiet mill in Peninsula, 1897

Peninsula was a bustling city along the Ohio and Erie Canal throughout much of its early history. The area was largely settled by New Englanders, and they brought with them a taste for the beautiful architecture that continues to make Peninsula notable. Its economy was driven by mills, quarries, and boatyards; a history that is still visible today.

10. Restaurant and Bath House at Euclid Beach Park, ca. 1900

From the early 1900s up until 1969, this park is where Clevelanders flocked to cool off in warm, summer weather and ride the rides at the amusement park.

11. Central High School, 1912

There are many historic pictures of Cleveland's Central High School out there. It was the first public high school in Cleveland. It opened its doors in 1846, sparking controversy. At the time, it was the first school west of the Alleghenies to offer high school education at the public’s expense. The public, it turns out, largely believed that secondary education was a private affair. However, the school would go on to produce the likes of John D. Rockefeller, Langston Hughes, and John L. Severance. The school would move to several buildings throughout the course of its history. In 1912, it was housed in the pictured location on East 55th Street, known at the time as Willson Avenue.

12. Lakewood's flooded intersection, 1913

Detroit and Belle Avenue are noticeably flooded in this early snapshot. In late March, a period of unseasonably warm weather settled over Ohio, and rain soon followed. Up to 11 inches of rain fell across a period of four days, and lakes and rivers rose dangerously high. Bridges and levees failed, and a startling amount of water flooded into Ohio's cities. The impact was devastating: entire regions lost power, gas leaks triggered explosions in cities such as Dayton, and many buildings were damaged.

The history of Northeast Ohio is fascinating. The historic buildings and brick roads hide stories of yore, but these old photos of Cleveland, Ohio, capture the personalities of our predecessors and place us directly in a particular moment in time.

For another glimpse into the deep roots of Cleveland, Ohio, check out our some more of our favorite vintage photos.