Early History of Cleveland OH
Settlement of Cleveland OH
Cleveland was the first village settled in the Western Reserve by the Land Company of Connecticut. It was named after General Cleaveland, who was an investor in the company and led the survey of the land within the Reserve. Cleveland was positioned along the east side of the Cuyahoga River. Due to a spelling mistake on the very first map, the town has always been spelled Cleveland vs Cleaveland. The first survey of the city was finished in 1795, and it included 221 building lots. The company first charged $50 for building sites in the settlement and found that not many people were willing to pay that large of a sum to live there. In late 1800, a union rep reported that only three people inhabited Cleveland. And even 10 years later, there were only fifty-six denizens.
Although the village was near Lake Erie, the population did not significantly grow until after the 1812 war. By that time, the danger of American Indian attacks was over and money was investment dollars were flowing into road construction and a harbor. Cleveland was soon known as a market city where farmers brought their crops to sell and merchants sold goods from all over the East. The city still grew slowly due lack of adequate infrastructure roads connecting other parts of Ohio. By 1821, still, only 600 people lived in Cleveland, OH.
Then in the 1820s, the city had some growth due to the arrival of new transportation method. Principally, the Erie Canal connected the city with the Atlantic in the 1820s. The first Lake Erie steamboat permitted a quicker trade route between Cleveland and other cities along the body of water. In the 1820s and the 1830s, construction began on Ohio and Erie Canal connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio River. In the 1850s, rail came to Cleveland, OH. In that forty-year span, Cleveland's population grew from under one thousand to over forty thousand people.
Although the village was near Lake Erie, the population did not significantly grow until after the 1812 war. By that time, the danger of American Indian attacks was over and money was investment dollars were flowing into road construction and a harbor. Cleveland was soon known as a market city where farmers brought their crops to sell and merchants sold goods from all over the East. The city still grew slowly due lack of adequate infrastructure roads connecting other parts of Ohio. By 1821, still, only 600 people lived in Cleveland, OH.
Then in the 1820s, the city had some growth due to the arrival of new transportation method. Principally, the Erie Canal connected the city with the Atlantic in the 1820s. The first Lake Erie steamboat permitted a quicker trade route between Cleveland and other cities along the body of water. In the 1820s and the 1830s, construction began on Ohio and Erie Canal connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio River. In the 1850s, rail came to Cleveland, OH. In that forty-year span, Cleveland's population grew from under one thousand to over forty thousand people.
Cleveland During the Great Depression
During the late 19th century, Cleveland became a critical manufacturing and industrial city. With its ideal location along numerous transportation routes as well as near huge deposits of iron ore and coal, the city finally prospered. John Rockefeller started the Standard Oil Company in Cleveland in the 1860s. Also, Samuel Mather started steel production enhancing Cleveland's economic prominence. In 1882, 28t percent of Cleveland's labor force could find work in the steel mills. Cleveland grew as a critical industrial hub, but nonetheless, it residents at times suffered. In the Great Depression, both the oil and steel companies withstood trying financial times. To stay solvent, many had to let go of workers. By 1935, approximately 1/3 of Cleveland's laborers were unemployed in what became the third year of the Great Depression.
During this time, the city became a leader in social and cultural activities in northeastern Ohio. In 1895, Euclid Beach Park was opened. It was an idyllic amusement park, and residents called to it Cleveland's "Coney Island." Almost 7 years later, professional baseball came to town in the formation of the American League. Cleveland's team was first called the Cleveland Blues. It was renamed the Cleveland Indians in 1916.
During this time, the city became a leader in social and cultural activities in northeastern Ohio. In 1895, Euclid Beach Park was opened. It was an idyllic amusement park, and residents called to it Cleveland's "Coney Island." Almost 7 years later, professional baseball came to town in the formation of the American League. Cleveland's team was first called the Cleveland Blues. It was renamed the Cleveland Indians in 1916.