Spanish-American War parade on Euclid Avenue just east of Public Square Euclid Avenue Photograph, 1898 Courtesy of Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection |
The population of Cleveland in 1890 was 261,253, and its continued growth brought satisfaction as the city vied to become one of the nation’s largest urban centers. On Memorial Day, 1890, the Garfield Monument opened in Lake View Cemetery. Designed by George H. Keller, with mosaics and stained-glass by John S. Chapple, and a white Carrara marble statue of Garfield by Alexander Doyle, the Garfield Monument serves a the nation’s tribute to President James A. Garfield, slain by an assassin in 1881. The Gothic-, Romanesque-, and Byzantine-style edifice, with its bas relief depictions of Garfield’s career, proved a popular attraction, and, by June, 1891, visitors to Lake View had increased enough in number to require separate tickets for lot holders and the general public. Lake View’s popularity with a wealthy clientele has left present Clevelanders with reminders of the city’s growth. The denizens of Euclid Avenue’s Millionaire’s Row seemed to compete in memorial building as they planned for life’s great transition. Taken in the aggregate, these monuments are a testimony to Cleveland’s rise as a great industrial city. Later in the decade, two memorials would join the Garfield Monument as prominent civic structures. Both celebrated the past, but in doing so, their very size, if nothing else, demonstrated Cleveland’s confidence in the future. |
| With the removal of the 1860 Perry Monument from Public Square to Wade Park, the way was cleared for the new Cuyahoga County Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument, and this was dedicated on July 4, 1894. A little over two years later, on July 19, 1896, Clevelanders began the festivities honoring the centennial of their city. A large arch (unfortunately only temporary.) was erected on Public Square to commemorate the centennial. One of the many speakers during the several days devoted to the 100th anniversary mentioned the different religious faiths which the early settlers brought with them to Cleveland: | |
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In the Great world-order, the Jew stands first, the Catholic next, and the Protestant last. But in our local history, the Protestant was the pioneer, followed, after thirty-nine years by the Catholic, and, after forty-three years, by the Jewish church. The contributions of each of these factors and faiths have been of incalculable value to this community and to mankind. |
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Euclid Avenue below E. 9th looking toward Public Square Euclid Avenue Photograph, 1890 Courtesy of Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection |
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From the 1890s, the following Cleveland sacred landmarks are still in existence: the Garfield Monument, St. James Anglican Episcopal Church (once a synagogue), Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Riverside Community Church, St. Patrick West Park Roman Catholic Church, St. James A.M.E. Church (once a Congregational building), Willson United Methodist Church, and St. Timothy Missionary Baptist Church. |
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Euclid Avenue at what will become University Circle with the Adelbert College and Case School buildings  Euclid Avenue Photograph, 1890 Courtesy of Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection |
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