Lost Cleveland: Seven Wonders of the Sixth City

Lost Series

by Michael DeAloia, Bill Barrow (Foreword)

Lost Cleveland is an engrossing excursion into the city's rarefied architectural air during its heyday as the sixth-largest city in the country. Author Michael DeAloia recounts the histories of seven culturally significant and iconic architectural gems that defined Cleveland's position of wealth and importance during the industrial age. Inspired by noble visions of Cleveland's most elite residents, these structures reflect the vigor and imagination that suffused city leaders. From Severance Hall, still home to the Cleveland Orchestra and the only structure in this collection that remains standing, to "Andrew's Folly," the grandest house built on legendary Millionaire's Row, Lost Cleveland provides a revealing historical retrospective on the growth, development and ultimate decline of the North Coast's greatest city.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Local History

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2010

Reviews

[Chuck]

Brief profiles of some really fascinating lost parts of the Cleveland landscape. Why the still-standing Severance Hall is included among them, is never explained. Some of the profiles are a little too brief. Whole books could (and should) be written on most of these subjects. The pictures are great, but you'll wish there were more of them. The big drawback is that DeAloia is no writer. His prose is clunky and his research doesn't extend much beyond what you would find in a student research paper.

[Margaret vonZipper-Pants]

I read the book on a Kindle, so I did not get a great view of the photographs. However, it forced me to really focus on the text and I learned a LOT about my city. I am eager to do a little urban exploration when the weather breaks and visit some of the sites of these former wonders. Wholly recommended for any Clevelander or other city dweller.

[Holley]

Quick read about some lovely architecture around Cleveland, most gone forever. Severance Hall is the only one still available to enjoy. I would have loved to have seen the Great Lakes EXPO. The EXPO images in the book are gorgeous.

[John Ryan]

Quick reading book on seven historical sites of Cleveland, all when Cleveland was the Sixth largest city and, hence, the title. Of the places covered in this book, only Severance Hall and part of The Superior Viaduct are still present. It’s interesting that the author found Luna Park more appropriate to cover than the better-known Euclid Beach Park, although he shares this nearby park in contrast to Euclid Beach, including that the latter had no admission price versus having a gate price like Luna.

One of the most interesting facts raised in this book is that Samuel Andrew, an Englishman who made his money as the superintendent of Rockefeller’s oil company until he sold out for a mere $1 million, was that he only lived in the house for a couple of years then, after an absence, his son only lived in it for a few years but found the 18,000 foot home unmanageable. The house then remained vacant for nearly 50 years until it was torn down.

The little book lacks sharing much about the life these facilities brought Clevelanders or putting them in the perspective of how people lived then. For someone who has an extra hour and wants to learn a little about a few historical sites of Cleveland, this is a good book. For people who want to learn more about Cleveland when it was a powerful, big city, this book should not be found on their shelves.

[Gerald Matzke]

This is a fascinating history of Cleveland, Ohio, from the mid to late 1800’s up to the 1930’s. Many of the buildings and places no longer exist but those that are still around have an amazing history. Cleveland at one time was a leading city in the United States in industry, oil production and finance. Entertaining the masses became an important part of life. Amusement parks, concert halls and sporting events were on the rise. It was enjoyable to try to imagine where so many of these places were. If you have ever lived in the Cleveland area, you will enjoy reading about the glory days in a time before television, computers and smart phones.

[Darcie Saunier]

I found the chapter on the Great Lakes Expo very interesting; however, I don't understand why Severance Hall is included in the book since it is still in use. Not the best writing or research either. It read like a school report at times.

[Jes Smith]

Quick, fascinating read about stories of Cleveland past.

[Cyndi]

Excellent bit of history on Cleveland! I was born and raised in Cleveland and some of this came as a surprise to me.

[Julie]

OK book. The best chapter was the one on the Great Lakes Exposition.

[Veronica Valentino]

I like reading these types of books, because it gives you a whole new perspective on a place you previously thought you knew everything about.

[Amy]

An interesting look at "the seven wonders" of Cleveland. It's a cute little book (doesn't take long to read) that tells the history / story of seven places in Cleveland that were selected by the author. There's a story and quite a few pictures for each selection.

[Ron Davidson]

Interesting little book. Maybe we could do something similar for Sandusky.

(It could have used a little better editing -- some grammatical errors and repetition. But the information and images were good.)

[Pete]

blazed through this in an afternoon at the library. writing is corny but some good research and excellent photos, esp of great lakes expo. i want to know more about the movies that were filmed at the abandoned Andrews mansion: "House Without Children," "Women Men Love," and "Dangerous Toys."

[Daniel]

My only complaint is that of the 7 building/sites spotlighted in this book, one is not "lost" it is still very much in use, Severance Hall.