CLEVELAND'S OUTDOOR MUSEUM

More than 104,000 people are buried at Lake View Cemetery and Arboretum, in Cleveland, Ohio, founded in 1869.  There are more than 700 burials each year, and what piqued our curiosity were some of the stories about this beautiful resting place and some of its famous inhabitants.  For one, we wanted to visit the final resting place of Eliot Ness, Special Agent with the Department of the Treasury, given credit for bringing Al Capone to justice.

Elliot Ness - Department of The Treasury
1935 - 1935

The 20th President of the United States was James Abram Garfield, who only held his office about 200 days (80 of those days were spent trying to recuperate from an assassin's attempt on his life before he passed).  

President James Abram Garfield Memorial
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH

Garfield was born on 11/19/1831 and died about 4 months after he was assassinated (on 9/19/1881) by an unstable man who felt he should have been appointed Ambassador to France but was passed over.  Garfield was only 49 years of age when he died.

President James Abram Garfield Memorial
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH

Lake View Cemetery is the home of a memorial to President James Garfield befitting a monarch, paid for by donations and contributions from the citizens of the United States.  What a memorial it is!
  

President James Abram Garfield Memorial
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH

President Garfield is buried alongside his wife on the lower level.  A full size marble statue awaits you as you climb the steps to go into the 3 story memorial and balcony.  You can actually see the beautiful skyline of Cleveland from the third story of the Garfield Memorial.
  

President James Abram Garfield Memorial
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH

There are several docents and volunteers who tell the story and provide many historical facts regarding President Garfield during his brief term in office.

Another famous resident of Lake View Cemetery is John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (and many of his descendants). Rockefeller, Sr. had a history in Cleveland we were not aware existed and his impact on Cleveland is amazing and rich.  Rockefeller was an American oil industry business magnate, industrialist, and philanthropist.  He is widely considered the wealthiest American of all time, and the richest person in modern history.

John Davison Rockefeller, Sr.
July 8, 1839 - May 23, 1937

John Davison Rockefeller, Sr.
July 8, 1839 - May 23, 1937

John Davison Rockefeller, Sr.
 July 8, 1839 - May 23, 1937

The beautiful memorial chapel of Jeptha H. Wade, one of the founding members of the Western Union Telephone and Telegraph, was built in loving memory by his grandson, Jeptha Homer Wade, II, who commissioned a beautiful Tiffany window and mosaic walls that are worth millions in today's dollars.

  

Wade Memorial to Jeptha H. Wade
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH
 8/11/1811  - 8/9/1890

There are no words to describe the beauty around and in the Wade Chapel, which is still used today for funerals, weddings, and other special events.  When the chapel was built in 1890 the plans included electricity instead of the usual candles (which left lots of residue).

  

Wade Memorial to Jeptha H. Wade
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH
 8/11/1811  - 8/9/1890

Wade Memorial to Jeptha H. Wade
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH
8/11/1811  -  8/9/1890

Wade Memorial to Jeptha H. Wade
Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland, OH
 8/11/1811  - 8/9/1890

In closing, Alan Freed's tombstone has to be an important addition to the history of Cleveland, OH.  Albert James "Alan" Freed, a well known Cleveland radio disc jockey in the early days, invented the term "Rock and Roll",  and worked tirelessly to introduce some of the famous vocalists, bands and entertainers in the early 50's and 60's.  His importance to this industry is highlighted in an amazing exhibit at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Yes, that is his tombstone!

Alan Freed - Invented Rock and Roll
Lake View Cemetery -  Cleveland, OH

Alan Freed - 1921 - 1965
Invented Rock and Roll
Lake View Cemetery -  Cleveland, OH

No wonder Lake View Cemetery is also known as Cleveland's Outdoor Museum.  You could visit  this beautifully maintained 285 acres in Cleveland's east side, minutes from the lively Little Italy neighborhood, and enjoy a history lesson about the commercial, civic and cultural history of Cleveland, OH.

A NATIONAL TREASURE

Cleveland, OH Downtown Skyline

Cleveland, Ohio....on the shores of Lake Erie, is a beautiful city filled with history.  We had heard just the opposite and had let that influence our opinion.  While there are areas that need and will require help and financial assistance, the landscape of the area we visited was full of history and positive change.   For instance, we didn't know the influence of John D. Rockefeller in Cleveland and we'll show you what we mean in a blog to follow.

The area of Berea we called "home" for the next 3 weeks had earned the reputation of having huge sandstone deposits and in turn a lucrative industry eventually earned Berea the title of "Grindstone Capital of the World."  So many work opportunities in the quarry and railroad construction industry attracted many European immigrant families to the area. 

What was once a working sandstone quarry is now the jewel of the town of Berea called Coe Lake Park.  Berea is also the home of Baldwin Wallace University and the National Football League team Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland Browns Training Facility
Berea, OH

Our "home" was in a small neighborhood campground in the convenient Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds that has been in operation since 1893, and would allow us an opportunity to see many of the local sites of the area as well as use the grounds for walking in the vast fairground properties that are maintained by 21 full time employees until the Fair Week increases the staff to 3,000. 

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
Berea, OH

While we were at the Cuyahoga County Campground a carnival came through with all their rides, workers and mobile living quarters for their workers and definitely added to the excitement in the campground.

Carnival Food Truck
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds - Berea, OH

Carnival Dormitory
Cuyohoga County Fairgrounds - Berea, OH

One of the most publicized areas in Cleveland, of course, is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland, about 15 miles from where we were staying.  It was a lot of fun and we relived lots of fond memories of the 60's.

Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame
Cleveland, OH

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland, OH

Another side trip in the Cleveland area was the West Side Market which was opened on November 2, 1912.  The yellow brick building and 137' tall clock tower overlook squat 4-story buildings in the area.  The building is huge, close to the length of a football field, with 44' high arched ceilings.

West Side Market
Cleveland, OH

Inside there are more than 75 food vendors who hawk their wares such as whole suckling pigs and severed goat heads lined alongside glass cases with stacks of artisan breads and expertly crafted Sacher tortes.  I found all the yelling, smells and commotion mesmerizing and would love to return one day.   A word to the wise...don't go when you are hungry!

West Side Market
Cleveland, OH

West Side Market
Cleveland, OH

West Side Market
Cleveland, OH

We love to go places the "locals" recommend.  One of those places was the Honey Hut for ice cream.  Ice cream sweetened with honey since 1974. 

Honey Hut Ice Cream
Cleveland, OH

  Five stars definitely *****!!!!!  It may even be a reason to return to Cleveland one day!  If we had heard about the Honey Hut Ice Cream Creamery earlier, we would have gone there every day.

REMEMBERING "THE TOE"

On many levels we enjoyed a most enlightening and memorable trip to Cleveland, Ohio, and its historical surroundings, and discovered some amazing information.

It happened that we were staying in the same Berea, Ohio, neighborhood of a larger-than-life hometown Cleveland hero, Louis Roy Groza, nicknamed and forever to be remembered in Cleveland as  "The Toe" (1/25/24 - 11/29/2000).

We stayed at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in our motorhome in the City of Berea, Ohio.  Lou Groza returned to again call this area his family's home after his retirement.  He was honored in numerous ways, almost too many to count!

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
Berea, Ohio

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
Berea, Ohio

Home of the Cleveland Browns
National Football League

Lou Groza Field
Berea, Ohio

In 2016 Groza was honored with a statue
in front of Lou Groza Field

In 2012, Lou Groza Field was built in Berea, Ohio.  The Lou Groza Field is the home of the Lou Groza Youth Football Program.

Lou Groza Field - No mistake this is a
honored football hero

Lou Groza played his entire career for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL).  Groza was professional football's kicking and points leader when he retired after the 1967 season.  Upon retiring from the Browns, Gorza's number 76 was retired.  He played in 21 seasons for the Brown's, helping the team win 8 League championships.  He set numerous records for distance and number of field goals kicked during his career.  He is recognized for the following:

• 4 times AAFC Champion
• 4 times NFL Championship
• Selected 9 times for the Pro Bowl
• NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
• 1974 Inducted into Professional Football Hall of Fame

#76 is honored on the Lou Garza Field
in Berea, Ohio

Groza set NFL records for field goals made in 1950, 1952 and1953.  Sporting News Magazine
named him the League's "Most Valuable Player" (MVP) in 1954 when the Browns won another championship.  In 1974 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Cleveland Browns Training Facility
Berea, Ohio

Lou Groza Boulevard
Berea, Ohio

The street the Cleveland Browns Training Facility is located was renamed "Lou Groza Boulevard".

Groza enrolled at Ohio State University on a football scholarship in 1942, but after 1 year in college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to serve in World War II.  He was deployed as an army surgical technician in the Pacific theatre, where he stayed until returning in 1946 to play for the Cleveland Browns.  

In 1992, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, named the Lou Groza Award after him.  The award is given annually to the country's best college place kicker.  

Lou Groza suffered an apparent heart attack on 11/29/2000.  He was survived by his wife, Jackie, 3 sons, Jeff, Jon and Judd, and 1 daughter, Jill.  He is buried in Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Ohio.

CELEBRATING THE PAST.....Inspiring The Future!!

Welcome To The Ohio Turnpike!

We enjoyed all that southern Michigan (around Kalamazoo and Battle Creek) had to offer, especially our visit to The Gilmore Museum, but now we were ready to move on toward our next destination.  We found the perfect campground for our short stay in Northwest Ohio, located in the Great Black Swamp.  Archbold, Ohio, is the home of Sauder Village, also known as Ohio's largest living history destination.

Welcome to Sauder Village
Archbold, Ohio

98 Room Sauder Heritage Inn

In 1976, Erie Sauder built a living history village to depict the pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit of Ohio's ancestors to honor the history and values that shaped our country.  The 235 acre Sauder Village is a large complex. Within the complex there is a living history farm and craft village preserving more than 75 historic structures and nearly 50,000 artifacts.  Sauder Village has a very highly rated 350 seat Barn Restaurant as well as banquet seating for 750 in Founders Hall.

Living History Village
Sauder Village

Living History Village
Sauder Village

Living History Village
Sauder Village

Costumed guides and working craftsmen in historic homes
and shops - Sauder Village

87 Site Sauder Village Campground
with Full Hook Ups

87 Site Sauder Village Campground
with Full Hook ups

Sauder Village
Archbold, Ohio

Doughbox Bakery

Doughbox Bakery at
Sauder Village

The founder of Sauder Village, Erie J. Sauder (1904-1997), was born on his family's farm south of Archbold, Ohio.  Woodworking was his true love and his reputation in woodworking was so well known that neighbors would often bring woodworking jobs to him.  Through the years Sauder was encouraged and supported by all who knew him to continue his business.  Today Sauder Woodworking is the largest maker of ready-to-assemble furniture in the United States.

Northwest Ohio Farms

Northwest Ohio - Large Old Farm Buildings

Erie Sauder's generosity extended beyond the local community.  He was one of eleven businessmen who formed the Mennonite Economic Development Association in 1953.  After World War II Russian Mennonites fled to Paraguay.  Sauder worked with the natives in Paraguay to teach basic skills that could lead them to self sufficiency and felt his work in this area was the most fulfilling in his entire life.

Sauder continued to build Sauder Village well into his 90's.  Sauder Village is the living legacy for the community and this region of Ohio.

Sauder Village
A Living Legacy for All

Since we had never been to this area before, we were pleasantly surprised to see all Sauder Village offered.  The atmosphere of Sauder Village allows everyone a place to slow down, spend quality time together and enjoy fun with a purpose.