History of Cleveland in Timeline

Cleveland, situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie in Ohio, serves as the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Its location places it near the Canada-US border and about 60 miles west of Pennsylvania. With a 2020 population of 372,624, Cleveland holds the title of the most populous city on Lake Erie and the second most populous in Ohio, ranking 54th nationally. The city serves as the central hub of the Cleveland metropolitan area, which boasts 2.18 million residents (33rd largest nationally) and is part of the even larger Cleveland-Akron-Canton combined statistical area, home to 3.63 million people.

1903: Group Plan Shapes Cleveland Architecture

The 1903 Group Plan resulted in the construction of many neoclassical government and civic buildings around Cleveland Mall.

1904: Carnegie Libraries Opened

Between 1904 and 1920, 15 Carnegie-funded libraries opened in Cleveland.

1907: Cleveland Trust Company Building Completed

The Cleveland Trust Company Building was completed in 1907.

1910: Cleveland's Rise as the "Sixth City"

By 1910, Cleveland was known as the "Sixth City" because it was the sixth-largest U.S. city. Its automotive industry included companies like Peerless, Chandler, and Winton.

1910: First Great Migration's Impact on Cleveland

In 1910, the First Great Migration began, significantly increasing Cleveland's Black population, primarily on the East Side, due to job opportunities.

1912: City Club of Cleveland Founded

The City Club of Cleveland, a forum for debates and discussions, was founded in 1912.

1914: Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Established

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland was established in 1914.

October 1915: Cleveland Agreement Signed

Czech and Slovak American representatives signed the Cleveland Agreement in October 1915, advocating for a joint state.

1915: Karamu House Founded

Karamu House, the nation's oldest African American theater, was established in 1915.

1915: Cleveland Indians Name Adopted

The Cleveland baseball team adopted the name "Indians" in 1915.

1916: Hart Crane Moves to New York City

In 1916, American modernist poet Hart Crane, who spent his adolescence in Cleveland and Akron, moved to New York City.

1916: Cleveland Museum of Art Opens

The Cleveland Museum of Art opened in 1916.

1917: Plain Dealer Screen Magazine Launches

The Plain Dealer Screen Magazine, a weekly film series, began running in Cleveland and Ohio theaters in 1917.

1918: Cleveland Orchestra Established

The Cleveland Orchestra was established in 1918.

May 1919: Prohibition in Ohio

Prohibition first took effect in Ohio in May 1919, though it wasn't well-enforced in Cleveland.

1919: Cleveland May Day Riots

In 1919, the Cleveland May Day Riots occurred, where socialist and IWW demonstrators clashed with anti-socialists during a national strike wave.

1920: Carnegie Libraries Opened

Between 1904 and 1920, 15 Carnegie-funded libraries opened in Cleveland.

1920: Cleveland Indians Win World Series and Population Growth

In 1920, the Cleveland Indians won their first World Series, and the city's population grew to 796,841, making it the fifth-largest in the U.S.

1920: Indians Win World Series

The Cleveland Indians won the World Series in 1920.

1920: Volstead Act

The Volstead Act, enacting Prohibition nationally, became law in 1920.

1921: U.S. Open Chess Championship

Edward Lasker won the U.S. Open Chess Championship held in Cleveland in 1921.

1921: Dangerous Toys Released

The silent film "Dangerous Toys" was released in 1921, produced by a Cleveland film studio.

1923: Cleveland Council on World Affairs Established

The Cleveland Council on World Affairs was founded in 1923.

1923: Federal Reserve Bank Building Completed

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's headquarters building on East 6th Street and Superior Avenue was completed in 1923.

1924: Republican National Convention

Cleveland hosted the Republican National Convention in 1924.

1924: Council-Manager Government

From 1924 to 1931, Cleveland briefly adopted a council-manager form of government.

1924: Cleveland Bulldogs Win NFL Championship

The Cleveland Bulldogs won the NFL Championship in 1924.

1924: Plain Dealer Screen Magazine Ends

The Plain Dealer Screen Magazine concluded its run in Cleveland and Ohio theaters in 1924.

1925: Mayakovsky Visits Cleveland

In 1925, Russian Futurist poet Vladimir Mayakovsky visited Cleveland and gave a poetry reading to the city's working class.

1925: Main Library Building Dedicated

The Cleveland Public Library's main building was dedicated in 1925.

1925: Time Magazine Published in Cleveland

Time magazine was published in Cleveland from 1925 to 1927.

1926: Construction of Terminal Tower Begins

Construction of the Terminal Tower skyscraper began in 1926.

1927: Terminal Tower Completed

The Terminal Tower was completed in 1927.

1927: Time Magazine Ceased Publication in Cleveland

Time magazine ceased publication in Cleveland in 1927.

1929: National Air Races and Amelia Earhart's Visit

Cleveland hosted the first of many National Air Races in 1929, and Amelia Earhart flew to the city from California.

1929: Wall Street Crash

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 severely impacted Cleveland's economy.

1930: Cleveland Union Terminal Dedicated

Cleveland Union Terminal, including the Terminal Tower, was dedicated in 1930. The city's population reached over 900,000.

1930: Cleveland Botanical Garden Established

The Cleveland Botanical Garden, the nation's oldest civic garden center, was established in 1930.

1930: Terminal Tower Dedication

The Terminal Tower was dedicated in 1930 as part of the Cleveland Union Terminal complex.

1931: Return to Mayor-Council System

In 1931, Cleveland returned to the mayor-council system after experimenting with a council-manager government.

1932: Superman Created

Superman was created by Cleveland natives Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel in 1932.

1933: Repeal of Prohibition

Prohibition was repealed nationally by Congress in 1933.

1933: Goodbye Again Released

The film "Goodbye Again" was released in 1933, featuring Cleveland.

1934: Harlan Ellison Born

Noted speculative fiction author Harlan Ellison was born in Cleveland in 1934.

1935: Anisfield-Wolf Book Award Established

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, recognizing works addressing racism and diversity, was established in Cleveland in 1935 by poet Edith Anisfield Wolf.

June 1936: Great Lakes Exposition Opens

The Great Lakes Exposition opened in June 1936 to revitalize the city during the Depression.

1936: Republican National Convention

Cleveland hosted the Republican National Convention in 1936.

September 1937: Great Lakes Exposition Ends

The Great Lakes Exposition ended in September 1937 after drawing seven million visitors.

December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Attack

On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor led to the U.S. entering World War II. Two Cleveland natives were among the victims.

1942: Native Land Released

"Native Land," a film depicting labor struggles in Cleveland, was released in 1942.

1945: Cleveland Rams Win NFL Championship

The Cleveland Rams won the NFL Championship in 1945 before relocating to Los Angeles.

1946: One World Day Celebrations Begin

Cleveland's annual One World Day celebration in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens began in 1946.

1946: Django Reinhardt's US Debut

Django Reinhardt made his US debut in Cleveland in 1946.

1946: Browns Win Championship

The Cleveland Browns won the championship in 1946.

1947: Eliot Ness Runs for Mayor

Eliot Ness, who introduced Cleveland's police district system, ran for mayor in 1947.

1947: Browns Win Championship

The Cleveland Browns won the championship in 1947.

1948: Cleveland Indians Players in Film

Players from the 1948 Cleveland Indians appeared in the film "The Kid from Cleveland."

1948: Browns Win Championship

The Cleveland Browns won the championship in 1948.

1948: Cleveland Indians Win World Series

The Cleveland Indians won the 1948 World Series.

1949: Harlan Ellison Returns to Cleveland

After moving away as a child, Harlan Ellison returned to Cleveland in 1949.

1949: Cleveland Named All-America City

Cleveland was named an All-America City in 1949.

1949: Browns Win Championship

The Cleveland Browns won the championship in 1949.

1949: The Kid from Cleveland Released

The film "The Kid from Cleveland" featuring players from the 1948 Cleveland Indians team was released in 1949.

1950: Cleveland's Population Peak and "City of Champions"

In 1950, Cleveland's population reached 914,808. The city was declared the "City of Champions" due to successes in baseball, hockey, and football.

1950: Browns Win Championship

The Cleveland Browns won the championship in 1950.

1954: Browns Win Championship

The Cleveland Browns won the championship in 1954.

1954: Indians Win American League Pennant

The Cleveland Indians won the American League pennant in 1954.

1955: Browns Win Championship

The Cleveland Browns won the championship in 1955.

1957: U.S. Open Chess Championship

Bobby Fischer won the U.S. Open Chess Championship held in Cleveland in 1957.

1961: The Mike Douglas Show Begins

The Mike Douglas Show, a syndicated talk show, started in Cleveland on KYW-TV in 1961.

1962: Cleveland Pipers Win ABL Championship

The Cleveland Pipers, owned by George Steinbrenner, won the American Basketball League Championship in 1962.

1964: First Sister City Partnership

Cleveland established its first sister city partnership with Lima, Peru in 1964.

1964: Barons Win Calder Cup

The Cleveland Barons won the Calder Cup in 1964.

1964: Cleveland National Air Show Begins

The Cleveland National Air Show started in 1964.

1964: Terminal Tower Loses Height Title

Until 1964, the Terminal Tower was the tallest building in North America outside of New York City.

1966: The Fortune Cookie Released

"The Fortune Cookie," filmed in Cleveland, was released in 1966, marking the first on-screen pairing of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.

1966: Hough Riots

The Hough riots occurred in 1966.

November 1967: Carl B. Stokes Elected Mayor

Carl B. Stokes was elected mayor of Cleveland in November 1967, becoming the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city.

July 23, 1968: Glenville Shootout

The Glenville Shootout took place on July 23, 1968.

1968: Direct Rail Connection to Airport

Cleveland became the first U.S. city with a direct rail link to its airport in 1968.

1968: Browns Reach NFL/AFC Championship Game

The Cleveland Browns reached the NFL/AFC Championship Game in 1968.

June 1969: Cuyahoga River Fire

A fire on the Cuyahoga River in June 1969 prompted the city to take action on pollution.

1969: Browns Reach NFL/AFC Championship Game

The Cleveland Browns reached the NFL/AFC Championship Game in 1969.

1970: Second Great Migration's Impact on Cleveland

By 1970, the Second Great Migration further contributed to the growth of Cleveland's Black community, alongside other ethnic and racial groups.

1971: End of Carl B. Stokes mayorship

Carl B. Stokes left office as the mayor of Cleveland after serving from 1968 to 1971.

1972: Clean Water Act Passage

The Cuyahoga River fire played a key role in the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972.

1974: World Series of Rock Begins in Cleveland

The World Series of Rock started in Cleveland in 1974, held at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

1977: Cleveland International Film Festival Begins

The Cleveland International Film Festival began in 1977.

December 1978: Cleveland Defaults on Federal Loans

In December 1978, Cleveland became the first major U.S. city since the Great Depression to default on federal loans.

1978: F.I.S.T. Released

"F.I.S.T.," depicting labor struggles in Cleveland, was released in 1978.

1978: The Deer Hunter Filming in Cleveland

Parts of "The Deer Hunter," including the wedding and reception scenes, were filmed in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood in 1978.

1978: Cleveland Marathon Begins

The first Cleveland Marathon was held in 1978.

1980: World Series of Rock Ends in Cleveland

In 1980, the World Series of Rock concluded its run in Cleveland.

1980: Tri-C Jazz Fest Begins

The Tri-C Jazz Fest began in Cleveland in 1980, held annually at Playhouse Square.

1980: Presidential Debate

The second 1980 U.S. presidential debate was held in Cleveland.

1983: A Christmas Story Filming in Cleveland

"A Christmas Story" used many external shots from Cleveland in 1983, despite being set in Indiana.

1983: Peak Unemployment in Cleveland

Cleveland's unemployment rate peaked at 13.8% in 1983, exceeding the national average due to steel production center closures.

1984: Stranger Than Paradise Released

"Stranger Than Paradise," a film featuring Cleveland, was released in 1984.

1984: Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Founded

The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1984.

1986: Browns Reach NFL/AFC Championship Game

The Cleveland Browns reached the NFL/AFC Championship Game in 1986.

1987: Cleveland Emerges from Default

In 1987, Cleveland emerged from its financial default status.

1987: Browns Reach NFL/AFC Championship Game

The Cleveland Browns reached the NFL/AFC Championship Game in 1987.

June 25, 1988: Record High Temperature

Cleveland's all-time record high temperature of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded on June 25, 1988.

1989: Major League Released

"Major League," reflecting the struggles of the Cleveland Indians, was released in 1989.

1989: Browns Reach NFL/AFC Championship Game

The Cleveland Browns reached the NFL/AFC Championship Game in 1989.

1991: Start of 30-Year Precipitation Average

The 30-year average for precipitation data, used to determine normal yearly precipitation, began in 1991.

1991: Slovenian Consulate

The Consulate General of Slovenia, formerly a consulate for Yugoslavia, is in Cleveland.

1991: Key Tower Becomes Cleveland's Tallest

The Terminal Tower remained Cleveland's tallest building until 1991.

January 19, 1994: Record Low Temperature

Cleveland's all-time record low temperature of −20 °F (−29 °C) was recorded on January 19, 1994.

1995: Browns Relocate to Baltimore

In 1995, the Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore, becoming the Ravens.

1995: Indians Win American League Pennant

The Cleveland Indians won the American League pennant in 1995.

1997: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Grammy Win

Cleveland hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony won a Grammy for "Tha Crossroads" in 1997.

1997: Indians Win American League Pennant

The Cleveland Indians won the American League pennant in 1997.

1997: Air Force One Filming in Cleveland

The opening shots of "Air Force One" were filmed at Severance Hall in Cleveland in 1997.

1999: Browns Return to Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, retaining their history.

2000: Increase in Downtown Residences

The number of condominiums, lofts, and apartments in downtown Cleveland has been increasing since 2000.

2001: Indians Sellout Streak Ends

In 2001, the Cleveland Indians' 455 consecutive game sellout streak at Jacobs Field ended.

2001: Cleveland Arcade Renovation

The Cleveland Arcade was renovated in 2001 and became a Hyatt Regency Hotel.

2001: Great Lakes Burning River Fest Begins

The Great Lakes Burning River Fest, a music and beer festival, was first held in 2001.

2003: American Splendor Released

"American Splendor," reflecting the life of Cleveland graphic novelist Harvey Pekar, was released in 2003.

2004: Vice Presidential Debate

The 2004 U.S. vice presidential debate took place in Cleveland.

2007: Spider-Man 3 Filming in Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland doubled for Manhattan in "Spider-Man 3" in 2007.

2007: Symon Named "Next Iron Chef"; Bourdain Visits Cleveland

In 2007, Michael Symon was named "The Next Iron Chef", and Anthony Bourdain featured Cleveland's restaurant scene on "No Reservations".

2007: Cavaliers Win Eastern Conference

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference title in 2007.

2008: Democratic Primary Debate

A 2008 Democratic primary debate was hosted in Cleveland.

2008: Cleveland Free Times Absorbed

The Cleveland Scene absorbed the Cleveland Free Times in 2008.

2008: HealthLine Completed

The HealthLine, a bus rapid transit line, was completed in 2008.

2008: Indians' Sellout Record Broken

The MLB record set by the Cleveland Indians for consecutive sellouts was broken in 2008.

June 16, 2010: Hot in Cleveland Premieres

On June 16, 2010, the TV Land comedy series "Hot in Cleveland" premiered. It ran for six seasons, concluding in 2015.

2010: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target

Cleveland plans to reduce greenhouse gases to 80% below 2010 levels.

2010: Population Growth and Challenges

Since 2010, Cleveland's downtown and several neighborhoods have seen significant population growth, though the overall decline has slowed. The city still faces challenges such as improving schools, developing neighborhood economies, and tackling poverty and homelessness.

2010: Downtown Population Growth Accelerates

The growth of downtown Cleveland's residential population accelerated after 2010.

2011: Kill the Irishman Released

"Kill the Irishman," depicting the 1970s Cleveland gang war, was released in 2011.

2012: The Avengers Filming in Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland stood in for Manhattan in "The Avengers" in 2012.

2013: Belt Magazine Founded

Belt Magazine, a digital publication, was founded in Cleveland in 2013.

2013: Global Center for Health Innovation Opens

Cleveland's Global Center for Health Innovation opened in 2013, providing a large space for healthcare companies worldwide.

2014: Gay Games Held in Cleveland

Cleveland hosted the ninth official Gay Games ceremony in 2014.

June 3, 2015: Hot in Cleveland Finale

On June 3, 2015, the final episode of the TV Land comedy "Hot in Cleveland" aired, concluding its six-season run.

2015: Cavaliers Win Eastern Conference

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference title in 2015.

2015: Cleveland Trust Building Renovation

The Cleveland Trust Company Building was renovated in 2015 and became a Heinen's supermarket.

June 22, 2016: Cavaliers Championship Parade

On June 22, 2016, over 1.3 million people attended the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship parade after their first NBA title.

2016: Republican National Convention

Cleveland hosted the Republican National Convention in 2016.

2016: Car Ownership Statistics

In 2016, 23.7% of Cleveland households didn't own a car.

2016: Indians Win American League Pennant

The Cleveland Indians won the American League pennant in 2016.

2016: Monsters Win Calder Cup

The Cleveland Monsters won the Calder Cup in 2016.

2017: The Fate of the Furious Filming in Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland served as a backdrop for Manhattan in "The Fate of the Furious" in 2017.

2017: Cavaliers Win Eastern Conference

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference title in 2017.

December 2018: Climate Action Plan Update

Cleveland updated its climate action plan in December 2018, setting targets for renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction.

2018: Cavaliers Win Eastern Conference

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference title in 2018.

2019: Cleveland: A Hub for Immigrants

In 2019, Cleveland was found to have the fastest naturalization process in the US, highlighting its role as a major immigration center.

2020: Cleveland's Diverse Demographics

A 2020 analysis recognized Cleveland as the most ethnically and racially diverse major city in Ohio.

2020: Rise in Crime

Cleveland, like other major U.S. cities, experienced a sharp increase in crime in 2020-21.

2020: Cleveland Population

In 2020, Cleveland's population was 372,624, making it the most populous city on Lake Erie and the second-most populous in Ohio.

2020: Racial and Ethnic Composition

The 2020 census provided data on the racial and ethnic composition of Cleveland, as well as language spoken at home.

2020: End of 30-Year Precipitation Average

The 30-year period for calculating average precipitation ended in 2020.

2020: Presidential Debate

The first 2020 U.S. presidential debate occurred in Cleveland.

2021: Judas and the Black Messiah Filming in Cleveland

"Judas and the Black Messiah" was filmed in Cleveland in 2021, although set in Chicago.

2021: Television Market Ranking

As of 2021, the Cleveland-area television market ranked 19th largest in the U.S.

2021: Walkability Ranking

In 2021, Cleveland was ranked the 17th most walkable of the 50 largest U.S. cities.

2021: Cleveland Public Library Collection

In 2021, the Cleveland Public Library's collection exceeded 10 million materials.

2021: Cleveland Guardians Name Adopted

The Cleveland baseball team changed their name from "Indians" to "Guardians" in 2021.

2022: Cleveland Clinic's Prominence

As of 2022, the Cleveland Clinic became Ohio's largest private employer, with over 55,000 employees, and is considered a leading hospital system globally.

2022: Cleveland Economy

In 2022, the GDP for the Greater Cleveland MSA was US$138.3 billion. Combined with the Akron MSA, the eight-county Cleveland–Akron metropolitan economy was $176 billion, the largest in Ohio.