Products

The village of Brook Park, located 14 miles southwest of Cleveland, Ohio, and known for its open farmland, was incorporated on June 3, 1914. The village started to be transformed in 1925, when it became the site of the Cleveland Municipal Airport (now the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport). The arrival of the airport started an industrial revolution that led to the establishment of the NASA Glenn Research Center, the Cleveland Bomber Plant, the Cleveland Tank Plant, and Ford Motor Company's Cleveland Casting Plant and Engine Plants Nos. 1 and 2. This development led to Brook Park becoming a city on January 1, 1961. Brook Park evolved into an industrial hub in the Midwest, and the area became home to Ford's second-largest manufacturing complex. The historical images in this book illustrate the roles that Brook Park played in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, space technology, vehicle manufacturing, and this area of Ohio becoming an airport center. Today, NASA employs over 3,000 people, and Ford's Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 employs more than 1,700.

Founded in 1881, the Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States. Public art museums were still rare, especially as far west as Cincinnati. But the city had emerged as a thriving cultural center and calls for an art museum grew, led by the passionate and determined members of the Women's Art Museum Association. Thanks largely to their efforts, a public subscription attracted the contributions required for construction to begin. Eden Park, which overlooked downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River valley, was chosen as the site for the museum. When it finally opened in May 1886, the museum was described as a gift of the people for the people, acknowledging the crucial role Cincinnatians had played in its establishment. The original building now has eight additional wings; the collection boasts 66,000 works of art, which span 6,000 years of human history; and the museum has inspired and educated generations.

Positioned west of the Cuyahoga River and occupying 96 acres is Riverside Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. Established in 1876, Riverside Cemetery was the long-term solution to the ever-growing suburbs of Cleveland’s west side.

A nephew to one of the earliest settlers, Titus Brainard sold 102.25 acres of his farm to the association under conditions that the cemetery never be sold to the city and that all persons be accepted for burial regardless of background. And so began the development of the landscape and roadways, much of which has changed in the nearly 150 years of service. Riverside Cemetery has become the permanent home to generations of families, each with their own stories, accomplishments, hardships, and journeys that we strive to capture in this book.

Jamie Lynne Owens is a fifth-generation staff member of Riverside Cemetery and has committed herself to the historic preservation of the cemetery. William G. Krejci is a local historian and author whose special interest in Riverside Cemetery lies within his interest of early cemeteries of the Western Reserve, with Riverside’s garden-like setting being one of the greatest examples. Images found in this book are from the archives of Riverside Cemetery, Cleveland Public Library, and the Library of Congress as well as original work of photographer Deb Zimmerman. 

Once known as Crowell Hilaka Girl Scout Camp, the history of Richfield Heritage Preserve begins in the early 19th century with the Oviatt family. They farmed the land for three generations until selling to inventor James B. Kirby in 1919. With the fortune he made from vacuum cleaners and washing machines, Kirby built a home above his patented lake, powered it with electricity from his experimental mill, and invited friends to dance on his spring-loaded dance floor. Cleveland Girl Scouts turned the property into Camp Julia Crowell in 1937. In 1957, the Scouts purchased the adjoining remnant of the Neal estate, named the new addition Hilaka, and upgraded for the possibility of making Crowell Hilaka an international destination. The people of Richfield reclaimed the green space and the history when they voted to buy the former camp in 2014. The property is now a public park.

Hillsboro was carved out of the thick woods of central Highland County in 1807. The small village soon built itself up from a collection of rough log buildings to a place of considerable prominence in southern Ohio. Blessed with an unusually healthy climate and rich surrounding farmlands, the town became an important business center and transportation hub. It was the home of many state and federal officeholders, including a multiterm governor of Ohio. Hillsboro became a center of women’s education as early as 1839, with as many as three women’s colleges in operation at one time. In 1873, many of these college-educated women launched the Women’s Temperance Crusade against the sale of liquor, which led directly to the federal passage of Prohibition in 1919. 

Tara Beery is a retired veterinarian with a passion for Hillsboro’s history. She lives in Hillsboro with her husband, son, and daughter. The Highland County Historical Society opened its archives to provide the historical photographs for this collection. Special effort was made to select images that have not been used in previous histories, though some old favorites will be found among these less-seen photographs.

For over 75 years, generations of children and their parents called LeSourdsville Lake and Americana Amusement Park their home for the summer.

Despite the popularity of Kings Island, one of the largest amusement parks in the country located only about 20 miles away, LeSourdsville Lake thrived because of its family atmosphere, the tradition of receiving a great value for the money, and the attention paid to detail by the management. The park featured the legendary Screechin' Eagle roller coaster, rated one of the top 25 wooden coasters in the country by coaster enthusiasts. It was also home to the country's wettest log flume, where riders were guaranteed to get soaked. Although the park closed permanently in 2002, the area is being transformed into one of the largest recreational parks in the area and will feature an amphitheater, children's play area, walking trails, and a portion of the nation's largest paved trail network.

Scott E. Fowler is a retired Ohio law enforcement officer who developed a passion for local history before his 36-year career began. He has written three previous books for Arcadia, including Images of America: LeSourdsville Lake and Images of Modern America: Fantasy Farm Amusement Park. He is a former curator of the Monroe Historical Society and a former board member for the Citizens for Historic and Preservation and Services (CHAPS) in Hamilton and the Fairfield Historical Society, all located in Ohio.

Willis A. Leiter opened his photography studio at 310 Broadway in Lorain in 1901. For the next 15 years, he provided the citizens and businesses of Lorain and surrounding areas with high-quality photographs and real-photo postcards. Much of his work still exists today and is highly prized by collectors and historians alike. Within these pages, one will see views of the Amherst Quarries, the magnificent buildings of Oberlin College, Avon's Beach Park, maritime activities in Lorain, Camp 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Sheffield Lake, and much more. Also included are examples of Leiter's highly prized portraits and cabinet cards. Here, everyday life in Lorain County comes alive--all through the lens of Willis Leiter.

Louisville, Stark County, Ohio, exudes charm and beauty as one of the great treasures of Northeast Ohio. As a French settlement, it was established as a Catholic center, erecting a large parish church, convent, parochial school, and orphanage. St. Louis Church became the envy of other communities for its brick work, stained glass, single log pillars with ornately carved stone capitals, and gold-gilt apse adorning the high altar. It is on par with the best French parish churches and cathedrals. Over time, Louisville would attract many different people from various Eastern European backgrounds. In particular, Louisville would be attractive to local Germans, who were of the Reformed and Lutheran faith, and Anglo-Methodists with their revivalistic flare. It is notable that this city disseminated many children who would create a strong connection to their hometown, a feeling that exists to this day among so many who came from Louisville families. In the 20th century, the Louisville School District became one of the strongest educational institutions in the region, with schools that became models for other schools around them. Louisville has intrigued many for years with its alleged Klu Klux Klan ties. Racism was a part of its history despite it being named the "Constitution Town" in 1957. Yet its industry, rural surroundings, and key figures rose above hate and division. Today, Louisville is much more diverse; its residents come from many different ethnic backgrounds and geographic locations. Its annual Constitution Week draws people from all around who are charmed by this little town and its history.

The Short North neighborhood can trace its origin to the arrival of the railroad to Columbus in 1850. With the location of Union Station on the city's then northern edge, development spread north on High Street. Factories and industry sprouted up within walking distance of the new neighborhoods consisting of foreign immigrants and migrants from the South. A decline in the middle of the 20th century led to a concerted effort at redevelopment. As urban homesteaders moved in and reclaimed deteriorating property, brave developers added their touch and supplied inexpensive space for art galleries and shops. What was once run-down and dangerous became cool and cutting edge. This all led to the Short North's current reputation as a fun and attractive area of the city to live and visit.

The Toledo State Hospital opened in 1888, and its design and healing approach were revolutionary for the time. First in the country built entirely on the "cottage model," its plan was intended to create a homelike atmosphere in a beautifully manicured landscape. Treatment methods were based on the "moral treatment" philosophy, the belief that calming surroundings with nutritious food, productive work, and diversion would help the disturbed mind to heal. Over the years, facilities were expanded to serve a burgeoning patient population, and medications and treatments evolved. In the 1950s, however, the population began a steady decline due to the advent of services in the community and to advances in psychotropic drugs. As the old buildings were emptied, they were demolished, and all were gone by 1981.

In 1819, Daniel Drake founded the Medical College of Ohio, which later became the University of Cincinnati (UC), College of Medicine. Thus began two centuries of innovation in health education that has made UC a globally recognized leader in educating generations of professionals in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health sciences. As the 19th century came to a close, the importance of science-based medicine began to gain traction. Its medical faculty, including Christian R. Holmes, were primary contributors to Abraham Flexner's now-famous report that revolutionized medical education. UC continued to shape health education throughout the 20th century, perhaps most notably by George Heuer in surgery, Benjamin Rachford in pediatrics, Herbert Flessa in emergency medicine, Laura Logan in nursing, and Joseph Kowalewski in pharmacy. And in the 21st century, the tradition continues with the vision and leadership of people like Donald Harrison in forming the College of Allied Health Sciences and creative power of Anil Menon in leading the formation of the undergraduate medical sciences program.