Best Places to Take History Lovers in Cleveland

Cleveland offers visitors and residents alike a variety of historic destinations in the city and beyond the urban limits. An interesting mix of cultural, architectural, and industrial significance, historic sites in Cleveland range from art deco skyscrapers to pop culture landmarks. Take history lovers on a tour of Cleveland’s best sites with our list of favorites.

The Arcade

Ohio licensed under Public Domain via Flickr by US Department of State

Built in 1890,  the first inside shopping mall in America  was once called “The Crystal Palace.” History buffs will become entranced watching the enclosed glass ceiling flanked by gilded beams and modeled after Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. The arcade houses five levels of shops and businesses with modern restaurants and retail spaces tucked inside the historic building. After a $60-million restoration project in 2001, the Arcade proudly displays the original look of this important site, listed as part of the National Register of Historic Places. You can find the Arcade at 401 Euclid Avenue.

Deep Lock Quarry

Take the quarter-mile quarry trail and wander past discarded millstones and old building foundations. The forest trail takes you past the Cuyahoga River to the namesake quarry and gives you a glimpse into the park’s legacy. Sandstone quarry rocks became the foundation for local canal locks and other buildings, starting in the 18th century. More historical ties from the park come from owner Ferdinand Schumacher, who bought part of the quarry in 1879 to mill oats for Akron American Cereal Company, which later became Quaker Oats.

Explore the walls and steps of the Deep Lock, then head out for more sightseeing hikes, including Native American trails and narrow-gauge railroad artifacts in the park, incorporated in 1934. Head to the Deep Lock Quarry on 5779 Riverview Road.

Terminal Tower

This landmark building centered around Cleveland’s internal rail network, with its foundations laid in 1927. Terminal Tower was built in 1930 as a grand addition to the Union Terminal railway station, signaling Cleveland’s status as a major city in the region. What used to be the tallest skyscraper in Cleveland still stands as an iconic symbol of the city. Terminal Tower features an art deco style with ornamentation that you can still see if you explore inside. You can visit Terminal Tower at 50 Public Square. Head to the observation tower on the 42nd floor for panoramic city views.

West Side Market

Head over to Cleveland’s publicly owned West Side Market for a culinary historic adventure. West Side’s origins date to 1840 when donated land later functioned as an open-air market center, then called Pearl Street Market and operating on a nearby corner in the city. Dedicated in 1912, the now enclosed space is a historical and architectural delight with its central hub, the yellow-brick market house, home to over 100 vendors selling fresh goods. Enter the market at 1979 West 25th Street.

North Chagrin Reservation

North Chagrin Reservation operates as part of the City of Cleveland’s metropolitan park system. With scenic trails, lakefront recreation, and historical Squire’s Castle, the reservation offers a beautiful escape from city life with a historic attraction. Built from locally quarried stone, Squire’s castle stands as a reclusive residence for former oil baron Feargus Squire. Visitors can explore inside the shell of the structure, unrestored but still offering insight into architecture at the turn of the 19th century. Find this unique park at 3037 Som Center Road, Willoughby Hills.

Baseball Heritage Museum

Located in the historic League Park in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland, the Baseball Heritage Museum showcases memorabilia related to this popular American game. Their mission is to highlight the diversity in baseball’s history by preserving important artifacts like jerseys, photographs, and game equipment. Visitors can tour the museum and grounds on their own or with a docent if you have a big group. You can visit the museum at 6601 Lexington Avenue.

“A Christmas Story” House

To experience a different type of history, check out the main filming site of “A Christmas Story,” which premiered in 1983. Fully restored to recreate the iconic film, the site operates as a walkthrough experience with a museum and gift shop across the street. Guests can also book an overnight stay to live their own story. The house accommodates up to six guests in the third-floor loft where you can sleep in a twin bed, just like the characters. You’ll see real movie props and relive the film at this unique Cleveland landmark at 3159 West 11th Street.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a history lesson mixed with a pop culture experience. Learn about the early days of rock and the artists who inspired the genre in the main exhibit hall. Then find out more about modern inductees and view special memorabilia in ever-changing exhibition areas. Music fans and history lovers can enjoy the stories and historic collections from rock and roll legends like Elvis, the Beatles, and Pink Floyd as they explore five levels of interactive exhibits at 11100 Rock and Roll Boulevard. 

Public Square

The heart of downtown Cleveland, Public Square is home to monuments and more historical structures flanked by antique and modern skyscrapers. Veterans Memorial Plaza, one of the square’s key features, honors Cleveland veterans. Inside this area, you’ll find the Fountain of Eternal Youth, a fine-art sculpture depicting a man rising above the flames of war. Just outside the square, discover the Old Stone Church, a Presbyterian church built in a Victorian Romanesque style that became a stop for the mourning of President Abraham Lincoln’s body after his assassination in 1865. Find these attractions at 50 Public Square.

Cleveland History Center

Operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society, the Cleveland History Center is home to a collection of historical properties including the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, Hale Farm and Village, and several preserved mansions carefully curated to appear as they did in earlier days. Museum artifacts include fine art, domestic items, textiles, and items related to Shaker history. They also house a large collection of American military objects and a working carousel rescued from nearby Euclid Beach Park. Visit the center at 10825 East Boulevard. 

We’ve told you about the great historical places to visit in Cleveland, Ohio. You’re sure to find a spot that engages your love of history, whether you enjoy classic architecture, pop culture, or natural wonders. Did we miss a historical site popular with the locals? Contact us today at Kia of Streetsboro so we can add it to our list.