History

Recent History

Ongoing renewal started in the 1980s, as derelict waterfronts became bustling restaurant, bar and entertainment precincts. The city had always been more than just a steel town: its industrial wealth (think Rockefeller) bankrolled cultural aspirations, and the city had world-class museums and concert halls.

Three 1990s developments had major impacts - new baseball and football stadiums became the focus of local civic pride, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame brought international attention. Cleveland has worked hard to rejuvenate itself in recent years and now the payoff is evident in its revitalised waterfront and its prominent cultural institutions.

Modern Day History

From the mid-19th to the mid-20th century Cleveland diversified into machinery production, textiles, clothing and chemicals and became a centre of trade unionism and socially progressive policies.

But all the industry came at a price. The city's nation-wide reputation for pollution reached its nadir in 1969 when the Cuyahoga River caught on fire (again). Cleveland limped through the 1970s, with the demise of the city's traditional industry leading to unemployment and other social problems.

Pre 20th Century History

First settled in 1797, Cleveland boomed after the Civil War by using iron from the upper Great Lakes and coal transported along the Ohio river to become one of the biggest US steel producers.