West Park Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio

08/10/2023

Listen to our Historian and West Park Councilmen Slife and Kazy discuss West Park on The Sound of Ideas!

https://www.ideastream.org/show/sound-of-ideas/2023-08-10/clevelands-west-park-neighborhood-celebrates-its-centennial-this-year?fbclid=IwAR3SaZTfVy0bZsnyrDQpl9dTczGtfMBc4_YfhiNw5m67ROYkF12YiaIiRpk_aem_AfqUNL4UxSpdSHhekhBnighlh-4GNPG4bgJD2qkm87D8U_bW-NfEKyozGYTsXz_lLiQ&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

This anniversary reflects the 100 years since the 1923 annexation of West Park into Cleveland.

07/13/2023

Take a look at this video of our presentation on the 100 year anniversary of West Park's annexation into the City of Cleveland! The year is 1923....

07/03/2023

Our friends at the Variety Theater are making some headway on funding their renovation. Congrats!

05/30/2023

More details coming, but how about this new mural of 1938 Lorain Avenue!!!! Our thanks to Lamar Advertising for donating the mural and its installation. And special thanks to Patrick Campbell and PJ M cIntyre’s for offering to place it on their building!

04/24/2023

Our Encore performance of “The Annexation of West Park to City of Cleveland in 1923” was a hit!

(Originally presented in November, 2022)

Historian Ross Bassett was joined by Josephine Curella Cardillo and Julieanne Appleson Phillips in taking our audience back to 1923

03/19/2023

If you couldn’t make our Open House- here’s a little tour for you…

01/22/2023

Do you know old schools in West Park?

In West Park many of our older schools have either been replaced or closed and demolished. But we still have four old school buildings remaining.

Can you place then in order of when they opened? They are Longmead, McKinley, Washington and old JMH.

From Ross Bassett

01/17/2023

From Ross Bassett- VP and Historian WPHS

Do you ever wonder what is the oldest building in West Park that is not a home?

Is it? The Kamms General store and Post office at Kamms, St. Joseph Academy, the Variety theatre, The home of the Masons at Lorain and Triskett or Old John Marshall at W152 and Lorain?

01/12/2023

Trivia question from WPHS VP and Historian Ross Bassett

West Park is really flat with maybe one exception. Much of Triskett road runs along an old Indian ridge. This is pretty noticeable when looking to the North from Triskett between W140 and St Mel’s Church. This also applies on Triskett in the area of West 117.

Having said all of the above, where do you think the highest point in West Park is located? Somewhere on West 130 street, or on Triskett or Brookpark Rd?

01/07/2023

The leaded glass windows on the North and South sides remain.

01/07/2023

West Park Library -Lower Level

01/07/2023

West Park Library- 1st floor

01/07/2023

WPHS VP and Historian Ross Bassett and Councilman Charles Slife at the grand reopening of the West Park Library
January 7, 2023

01/07/2023

01/03/2023

A WP trivia question from Ross Bassett, VP and Historian

Of the three old bridges that cross the valley, which one is the longest?

The Lorain, the Hilliard or the Brookpark?

12/29/2022

From Ross Bassett, WPHS VPHistorian

Just more nonsense from me. Over 60 years ago, I was awarded these awards in the pavilion at Rainbow park. My first awards and I still have them. What is wrong with me? 😁

12/17/2022

I just know you always wondered who was on the West Park school board in 1921. Now you know.

(From the front of McKinley school- 3349 West 125th)

Ross Bassett WPHS VP and Historian

12/16/2022

From Ross Bassett, WPHS VP and Historian

Yes Virginia, there is a strip club in West Park!

Next to Big Boy on Brookpark

12/13/2022

From Ross Bassett, WPHS VP and Historian

I bet you never noticed this entrance to the old Forbes Varnish Company on West 143. It is now called PPG but, a few of the older buildings from the early 1900s still survive.

12/07/2022

Come Join us!
Accepting new members!

Please help support our mission to preserve West Park History for future generations.

Our members and friends make it possible for us to offer educational programs, publications, and interesting events to the community, while supporting our endeavor to research and preserve the history of West Park for future generations.

Benefits to WPHS members include our newsletters, mailed to your home. They are filled with fascinating stories and historical photographs you will surely enjoy.

Members also receive advance notice of our community events and new publications, plus discounts on hall rental, selected books, and our popular collectible calendars, featuring images and facts from West Park’s past.

To join the West Park Historical Society, please go to the link below to download, print, and mail in the membership application along with your check.

https://www.westparkhistory.org/join/

Any questions please contact Contact Elaine at [email protected]

12/07/2022

The 2023 West Park Historical Society calendar is here!

Call first if you want to be sure they have calendars left. It was a very limited printing this year.

Gene's Place to Dine Kamm's Plaza 216-252-1741

K&K Portage Market Warren Village Plaza 216-941-0288

Puritas Nursery 19201 Puritas Ave 216-267-5350

Contact Elaine at [email protected] for mail orders or to get the historical society member discount.

12/04/2022

From WPHS VP and Historian Ross Bassett

We all know of the “green barn” by Tyler Field in the valley. Yes, I do know that it is now red but to generations of people that grew up in West Park it was the green barn.

Well, across Tyler field from the barn almost to the river is the Ohio Buckeye Grove plaque. I wonder how many of you knew that?

12/01/2022

Attention: John Marshall High School Alumnae!

The West Park Historical Society has located and reprinted the original 1923 West Park High School (original school and name of John Marshall High School) class year book. You can get a copy for only $15.00

Filled with great historic photos and amazing content, this limited edition book is available by emailing [email protected]. Pick up by appointment at our hall or delivered free within West Park. It can also be shipped for an additional $6.00. Reserve yours today! Only 25 copies remain

11/28/2022

From Ross Bassett, VP and WPHS Historian

Boy this building is way too large and too beautiful to be anywhere in West Park but it is. St joseph Academy is a school that we are very lucky to have right in our back yard!

11/25/2022

From Gary Swilik-

The 2023 West Park Historical Society calendar should be at local vendors by this afternoon – Friday, November 25th.

Call first if you want to be sure they have calendars left. It was a very limited printing this year.

Gene's Place to Dine Kamm's Plaza 216-252-1741

K&K Portage Market Warren Village Plaza 216-941-0288

Puritas Nursery 19201 Puritas Ave 216-267-5350

Contact Elaine at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) for mail orders or to get the historical society member discount. Watch for a public event featuring in-person calendar sales very soon.

11/18/2022

Wonderful turnout for 100th Anniversary Annexation event last night!

L to R- Jim Foos, WPHSTrustee; Elaine Staley, WPHSTrustee and Secretary; Ross Bassett , WPHS VP and Historian, Gary Marquard WPHS Trustee

11/12/2022

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

WHEN: Sunday December 4th 12:00 PM till 3:00 PM

WHERE: West Park Historical Society Community Room
17401 Lorain Ave

John Marshall Alumni Association, along with the West Park Historical Society, will be hosting a Christmas Market Sale, on Sunday, December 4th, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the WPHS Community Room.

JMH Alumni will be selling a variety of new Men’s and Women’s T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Golf towels, Cookbooks, Christmas Ornaments, JMH History Books and much more!

The West Park Historical Society will offer their multiple books and publications,and the new 2023 Taverns of West Park Calendars.

The Community Room is located behind Citizen’s Bank at Kamm’s Corners, with parking next to and behind the bank. Hope to see you there!

11/11/2022

From Ross Bassett

More West Park landmarks at the VFW on W 150 & Lorain. Many many West Park families know of people who served and may have died in World War 1 and have their names forever immortalized on the memorial.

11/08/2022

Come join us!

11/03/2022

From WPHS VP Ross Bassett

I wonder just how many little children have climbed these steps to enter the old Longmead School off West 130? And where are they now. I bet all over the country!

These steps would lead to the North entrance off Lena Ave.

10/30/2022

From WPHS Historian Ross Bassett

See what you see if you just look! All three are from which block of West Park?

10/25/2022

Lorain Road bridge - from WPHS Historian Ross Bassett

These pictures of the Lorain Road bridge over the valley are from the West end, in Fairview Park. But they do refer to our bridge.

Two of them refer to the award received in 1935. Another tells a little about the bridge. At one time these plaques were at all four corners but now only the northwest one remains.

The last is the pedestrian path down. The short concrete wall on the near right may be original but hard to see in this photo.

As a young child, in the early 50’s, I do remember seeing cars still using this ramp right by story road. At one time the entrance on the west side may have looked a somewhat similar. Did you ever notice these? Maybe not?

10/18/2022

From Ross Bassett- WPHS Historian

We know that many of you do not get down around the old Variety theatre any more. If you did, this is what you would now see across the street on LORAN.

10/14/2022

From WPHS Historian Ross Bassett

These pictures of the Lorain road bridge over the valley are from the West end, in Fairview Park. But they do refer to our bridge.

Two of them refer to the award received in 1935. Another tells a little about the bridge. At one time these plaques were at all four corners but now only the northwest one remains.

The last is the pedestrian path down. The short concrete wall on the near right may be original but hard to see in this photo.

As a young child, in the early 50’s, I do remember seeing cars still using this ramp right by story road. At one time the entrance on the west side may have looked a somewhat similar. Did you ever notice these? Maybe not?

10/08/2022

From Ross Bassett, WPHS, VP and Historian

Memorial field in the valley drew crowds of up to 20,000 people in the 1930s for Memorial Day celebrations.

Note the memorial to dogs who served in all wars.

Where else but West Park would you find that!

10/05/2022

From Ross Bassett

Remember swimming or ice skating at Halloran Park?

The Fire department was at the north end and the ice cream place was at the south end.

Do you ever stop and pay tribute to the fire fighters who died in the line of duty? Did you know it was even there?

10/01/2022

Well gang, we may be about half way through this series of pictures that the West Park Historical Society has been posting for your viewing enjoyment.

I would like all of you to please note something. Every one of the pictures is a real life item that can be seen today. Unlike many of our historic old pictures. I encourage all of you to put the kids or the grandkids in the car and go for a “Historic Drive of West Park”.

The kids may remember for the rest of their lives the time Dad or Mom or Grandpa spent time with them showing the interesting things that so many people never notice.

My Mother got me started into a lifelong interest and love of local history when I was just a child. Maybe you can do the same? Why not grab breakfast at Gene’s Place or a Big Boy at Bob’s Big Boy and make a day of it.

Ross Bassett

Photo credit Gary Swilik

09/28/2022

From Ross Bassett

Ok so I know this is not in WP but just across the river in Mastic Park. I waded in it in the fifties. My kids did in the 80s. Did you? I hope it is still in operation!

09/26/2022

From WPHS VP and Historian Ross Bassett

I can still remember when McDonald’s opened at W 139 and Triskett right down the road from Royal Castle.

Got my first job there. It was the old type with no indoor seating. But boy were we ever busy with all the traffic from the CTS station.

So I go there and what do you know, some of the parking area is still there all these years later. What great memories.

09/23/2022

From WPHS VP and Historian Ross Bassett

So I am down in the park today at our own Memorial Field and the place was almost empty. This was at 3pm on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Remember years ago when we all carried a baseball mitt on our handlebars and rode from park to park praying that we would get picked to play in a game. Boy are those days gone!