Cleveland Vintage Blog — History

If you are a lifelong Clevelander such as myself, who was here during the '70s, you probably remember the lime green Ford LTD police cruisers that were the butt of many a joke during that period. But as the late great Paul Harvey used to say, now you are going to hear the rest of the story. It was actually the National Highway Transportation Board that experimented from 1972-1978 with the lime green paint because of its high visibility earning it the nickname, “Safety Green.” The city of Cleveland actually stayed with the experiment until 1982, having all police cars...

As with any city, there are lost gems due to a variety of reasons, but it is usually due to an ever-changing landscape, and always in the name of progress. But in Cleveland, Millionaires' Row, the area that ran from East Ninth Street to roughly East 55th Street, remains a fond reminder of a time when Cleveland was considered second to none when it came to world-class residences. The Rise and Fall of Cleveland's 'Millionaires' Row' Even though the last of this incredible, continuous row of homes with immaculate grounds were pretty much gone by the late 1930s, these magnificent structures were...

Most Clevelanders, native-born or otherwise, probably don't realize that at one time, the city’s downtown retail department store district on lower Euclid Avenue, near and around Public Square, rivaled any other like it in the country. At its peak, it was even routinely compared to New York City - truly an admirable comparison. Prior to World War II, and brought on by the success of Cleveland’s theater district, this area of the city was alive with excitement year-round as it showcased the pride all Clevelanders had in and saw for their city. After this period, the suburban shopping centers began...