Cleveland? Detroit?

[igzabeher]

I'll be traveling to Cleveland and Detroit in three weeks or so. Any locals, or frequent travelers with suggestions on things or places to photograph? At the very least I'll have an RB67 and a Speed Graphic with me. I may also have a Rolleiflex and/or 35mm camera with me as well. Thank you kindly I'm advance.

 

[Cholentpot]

Near Cleveland.

If you like sunsets at beaches, well we got it. Downtown is full of opportunities. Go to Voinovich park for a unique view, you might also get lucky and catch some planes doing touch and goes. Rock Hall, Terminal Tower for some art deco, many many Metro Parks with all sorts of opportunities. Holden Arboretum is also always a good bet. Botanical gardens, Little Italy, all three blocks of downtown, overlook the flats, visit the Superman house, Christmas Story house, the many bridges along the river in the flats. You also got the William Mather, USS Cod, and all sorts of lake faring vehicles. Lots of nature, grand old buildings and rust belt infrastructure. It's a friendly enough place, just keep your head on a swivel in some neighborhoods.

 

[Hasslebad]

Near Detroit, Belle Isle Aquarium is the oldest in North America and has some nice art deco architecture. Greenfield Village (part of the Ford Museum) is also fun. If you catch a period baseball game there, it would make for nice photos

 

[Truzi]

I was going to mention many of the same things Cholenpot did about Cleveland - so I'd echo that post. There are a lot of things in Cleveland and the surrounding cities you may find interesting. It's a bit difficult to think of them when living in the general area - we seem to take them for granted.

There are areas you have to be careful in, but if you're from New York City, you probably won't have any issues and would likely find them quaint, lol.


Basically Downtown Cleveland:
I've not been to the Mather steamship or USS COD submarine in a long time.
You have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (which I find a bit disappointing), and it's practically next to a science museum that I quite like.

I'm not into sports, so I'm not sure of the status, but the baseball field had a statue of Bob Feller. There is an old Cemetery right across the street:

Erie Street Cemetery - The City's Oldest Existing Cemetery | Cleveland Historical

On East 9th Street, enclosed by a 19th century iron fence and Gothic gateway, is the Erie Street Cemetery — the final resting place of some of Cleveland's most notable pioneers and combatants. Located right next door to Progressive Field, even the popular baseball stadium is easily forgotten...

clevelandhistorical.org

There is a giant rubber stamp downtown:

World's Largest Rubber Stamp, Cleveland, Ohio

The Big Rubber Stamp with the word "FREE" on it is a creation of artist Claes Oldenburg (1929-2022), who sculpted giant versions of everyday objects that turn up in public parks and on city sidewalks.

www.roadsideamerica.com

On the square you can see the Soldiers and Sailors monument:

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (Cleveland) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You can find some nice old architecture, even though much is vacant anymore.
The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge has nice artwork on the pylons

Lorain-Carnegie Bridge - Home of the Guardians | Cleveland Historical

The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge opened in 1932, becoming the second fixed high-level span in Cleveland. It was built in part to relieve traffic on the Detroit-Superior Bridge (the city's other fixed high-level bridge) which opened in 1917. Construction began on the bridge in 1930, though plans for...

clevelandhistorical.org

There is also the West Side Market. It's historic, and unfortunately they are trying to gentrify it:

Public Market in Cleveland, OH | West Side Market

West Side Market is Cleveland's largest public market has served fresh food to Cleveland residents and visitors since 1912.

westsidemarket.org

A bit further from downtown (not too far):

Cleveland State University (CSU), where I work, has a couple old mansions. I'm not sure if you can get inside. They aren't locked-down, but they may be a bit leery of strangers with cameras (though I've done it... but I'm not exactly a stranger). Parker-Hannifin Hall is not terribly interesting, but nice. Mather is the better one.

Mather Mansion - A Remnant of Millionaires' Row | Cleveland Historical

In the days of horse-drawn carriages and booming industry, one street in Cleveland showcased the elite among the city's citizens. Millionaires' Row, a length of Euclid Avenue, was where prominent figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Marcus Hanna, and Charles F. Brush built their mansions. The...

clevelandhistorical.org

The cynical part of me would direct you to CSU's Central Garage, which is falling apart and has areas inside supported with scaffolding, lol.


Further away there are a number of museums along East Boulevard (just don't go too far off the main roads - there be dragons):

Home | Cleveland Museum of Art

www.clevelandart.org

Welcome to the Crawford Auto Museum | WRHS | Explore the tangible history of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

Few people know that Northeast Ohio was a crucial hub of development in the transportation industry The Crawford AutoAviation Collection brings the history of transportation alive through the over 170 antique automobiles 21 noncar transportation artifacts motorcycles bicycles and boats 12...

www.wrhs.org

https://www.cmnh.org/ (Wade Oval is off of East Blvd)

Depending how far you want to go from downtown (and how you feel in areas that are not terribly safe), there are a number of old "living" cemeteries you can visit.

The the surrounding area of downtown Cleveland you have the Cleveland Zoo, with many photogenic areas.
Cleveland used to have an Aquarium, then didn't, then there was a new one (not sure if it still exists).

The "Greater Cleveland Area" (surrounding cities) will also have things you may be interested in.

What route(s) will you be taking into and out of Cleveland?
If following the lake (Route 90, turnpike, etc.) towards Toledo, then Detriot, there are some charming old cities on the way.

 

[Cholentpot]

I was going to mention many of the same things Cholenpot did about Cleveland - so I'd echo that post. There are a lot of things in Cleveland and the surrounding cities you may find interesting. It's a bit difficult to think of them when living in the general area - we seem to take them for granted.

There are areas you have to be careful in, but if you're from New York City, you probably won't have any issues and would likely find them quaint, lol.


Basically Downtown Cleveland:
I've not been to the Mather steamship or USS COD submarine in a long time.
You have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (which I find a bit disappointing), and it's practically next to a science museum that I quite like.

I'm not into sports, so I'm not sure of the status, but the baseball field had a statue of Bob Feller. There is an old Cemetery right across the street:

Erie Street Cemetery - The City's Oldest Existing Cemetery | Cleveland Historical

On East 9th Street, enclosed by a 19th century iron fence and Gothic gateway, is the Erie Street Cemetery — the final resting place of some of Cleveland's most notable pioneers and combatants. Located right next door to Progressive Field, even the popular baseball stadium is easily forgotten...

clevelandhistorical.org

There is a giant rubber stamp downtown:

World's Largest Rubber Stamp, Cleveland, Ohio

The Big Rubber Stamp with the word "FREE" on it is a creation of artist Claes Oldenburg (1929-2022), who sculpted giant versions of everyday objects that turn up in public parks and on city sidewalks.

www.roadsideamerica.com

On the square you can see the Soldiers and Sailors monument:

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (Cleveland) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You can find some nice old architecture, even though much is vacant anymore.
The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge has nice artwork on the pylons

Lorain-Carnegie Bridge - Home of the Guardians | Cleveland Historical

The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge opened in 1932, becoming the second fixed high-level span in Cleveland. It was built in part to relieve traffic on the Detroit-Superior Bridge (the city's other fixed high-level bridge) which opened in 1917. Construction began on the bridge in 1930, though plans for...

clevelandhistorical.org

There is also the West Side Market. It's historic, and unfortunately they are trying to gentrify it:

Public Market in Cleveland, OH | West Side Market

West Side Market is Cleveland's largest public market has served fresh food to Cleveland residents and visitors since 1912.

westsidemarket.org

A bit further from downtown (not too far):

Cleveland State University (CSU), where I work, has a couple old mansions. I'm not sure if you can get inside. They aren't locked-down, but they may be a bit leery of strangers with cameras (though I've done it... but I'm not exactly a stranger). Parker-Hannifin Hall is not terribly interesting, but nice. Mather is the better one.

Mather Mansion - A Remnant of Millionaires' Row | Cleveland Historical

In the days of horse-drawn carriages and booming industry, one street in Cleveland showcased the elite among the city's citizens. Millionaires' Row, a length of Euclid Avenue, was where prominent figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Marcus Hanna, and Charles F. Brush built their mansions. The...

clevelandhistorical.org

The cynical part of me would direct you to CSU's Central Garage, which is falling apart and has areas inside supported with scaffolding, lol.


Further away there are a number of museums along East Boulevard (just don't go too far off the main roads - there be dragons):

Home | Cleveland Museum of Art

www.clevelandart.org

Welcome to the Crawford Auto Museum | WRHS | Explore the tangible history of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

Few people know that Northeast Ohio was a crucial hub of development in the transportation industry The Crawford AutoAviation Collection brings the history of transportation alive through the over 170 antique automobiles 21 noncar transportation artifacts motorcycles bicycles and boats 12...

www.wrhs.org

https://www.cmnh.org/ (Wade Oval is off of East Blvd)

Depending how far you want to go from downtown (and how you feel in areas that are not terribly safe), there are a number of old "living" cemeteries you can visit.

The the surrounding area of downtown Cleveland you have the Cleveland Zoo, with many photogenic areas.
Cleveland used to have an Aquarium, then didn't, then there was a new one (not sure if it still exists).

The "Greater Cleveland Area" (surrounding cities) will also have things you may be interested in.

What route(s) will you be taking into and out of Cleveland?
If following the lake (Route 90, turnpike, etc.) towards Toledo, then Detriot, there are some charming old cities on the way.

I think even the most hardened NYer would think twice about getting lost in East Cleveland.

We have a new aquarium in the flats, some really cool views of the river front just outside the aquarium.

 

[Truzi]

I think even the most hardened NYer would think twice about getting lost in East Cleveland.

We have a new aquarium in the flats, some really cool views of the river front just outside the aquarium.

East Cleveland or the East side of Cleveland? Two different things... kinda sorta, lol.

I've not been to the new Aquarium. When we were kids, my Aunt would take my brother and myself to the old one.

Oh - the Mayfield Cemetery in Cleveland Heights. I don't know if it's still the case, but the tall fence on Mayfield Road had barbwire on top, angle INTO the cemetery, as if they were trying to keep things from getting out

Too bad Sokolowski's is closed - great place to eat. Some interesting views from the rim of the valley that was their parking lot.

I find the industrial area of the flats interesting - large piles of debris and such, but I don't think you can wander around there. You may not want to wander on the "safe" side either. I've seen people chasing cars with baseball bats, guns, etc. That's usually at night, though, when going to a concert.

Speaking of which, the old Power House could be photogenic, and that one drawbridge - though I can't remember where it was exactly.

Oh, forgot, Playhouse Square in Cleveland. Some old theaters. Wonder if they let people inside to tour when there isn't a show, I know you can cut through the lobbies.

In Playhouse Square, they hung a huge chandelier over the intersection of Euclid and East 14th. I think it's kinda stupid and gaudy, but might make for interesting photos. Also the adjacent U.S. Bank Building and plaza.

America’s Largest Outdoor Chandelier

Cleveland’s dazzling Theater District landmark features more than 4,200 acrylic crystals.

www.ohiomagazine.com

 

[Cholentpot]

East Cleveland or the East side of Cleveland? Two different things... kinda sorta, lol.

I've not been to the new Aquarium. When we were kids, my Aunt would take my brother and myself to the old one.

Oh - the Mayfield Cemetery in Cleveland Heights. I don't know if it's still the case, but the tall fence on Mayfield Road had barbwire on top, angle INTO the cemetery, as if they were trying to keep things from getting out

Too bad Sokolowski's is closed - great place to eat. Some interesting views from the rim of the valley that was their parking lot.

I find the industrial area of the flats interesting - large piles of debris and such, but I don't think you can wander around there. You may not want to wander on the "safe" side either. I've seen people chasing cars with baseball bats, guns, etc. That's usually at night, though, when going to a concert.

Speaking of which, the old Power House could be photogenic, and that one drawbridge - though I can't remember where it was exactly.

Oh, forgot, Playhouse Square in Cleveland. Some old theaters. Wonder if they let people inside to tour when there isn't a show, I know you can cut through the lobbies.

In Playhouse Square, they hung a huge chandelier over the intersection of Euclid and East 14th. I think it's kinda stupid and gaudy, but might make for interesting photos. Also the adjacent U.S. Bank Building and plaza.

America’s Largest Outdoor Chandelier

Cleveland’s dazzling Theater District landmark features more than 4,200 acrylic crystals.

www.ohiomagazine.com

East Side of Cleveland is just East Cleveland Lite at times.

'Lock your windows kids! We're passing the place with the racist anti-Jew paintings again.'

https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com...cle_cc71572e-b888-56d2-a797-2ffd233503bb.html

Google memory holed all the photos of the place. And that folks, is why you should take photos and keep track of them. Googling the old murals brings up nothing.

Cleveland can be wild at times.

Speaking of murals, there are loads and loads of cool 'ghost murals' all over the place.

 

[igzabeher]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Cemeteries, definitely my thing. Likewise, old buildings. This is a family trip, so there won't be much opportunity to venture off the beaten path, or where there be dragons, but noted for future use.

Speaking of old buildings. I imagine it is long gone, but in the event that it is not, anyone familiar with this building?

 

[igzabeher]

Another request, if I may, also likely a fool's errand. Other than the pay phone in Geraci's (assuming it's still there) are there other pay phones around? They don't need to work, or even be in working condition, just complete-ish (i.e. recognizable as a pay phone). And parking meters. Preferably the coin operated mechanical ones, but coin and/or card operated digital meters are acceptable as well. Just not the kiosks that have replaced individual meters. Thank you kindly.

 

[Rick A]

If you have time, drive to Marblehead and take the ferry to Kelleys Island and explore the ruins of the old winery among many other interesting things to do there.