7 Fun Facts About Cleveland, OH: How Well Do You Know Your City?

Quick Facts about Cleveland

1. The birthplace of Superman

Cleveland proudly claims the title of being the birthplace of Superman, the iconic superhero beloved by millions worldwide. It was in the bustling streets of Cleveland that high school students Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster first conceptualized the Man of Steel in the 1930s. Drawing inspiration from their surroundings, including Cleveland’s skyline and urban landscape, Siegel and Shuster’s creation would go on to become one of the most enduring symbols of heroism in pop culture history.

2. Cleveland held the first major rock concert

Cleveland made history by hosting the world’s first major rock concert on March 21, 1952, at the Cleveland Arena. The Moondog Coronation Ball put on by Alan Freed, the “father of rock and roll” himself, the concert featured legendary artists such as Alan Freed, Paul Williams and his Hucklebuckers, Tiny Grimes and The Dominoes. This groundbreaking concert marked a pivotal moment in music history, solidifying Cleveland’s reputation as a pioneering hub for the rock and roll movement.

3. The first city to be lit by electricity

Cleveland became the “City of Light” in 1879 thanks to inventor Charles Brush and his invention of the arc lamp. Monumental Park, now known as Public Square, was the first public outdoor space to be lit by electricity in the U.S.

4. The Wicked Witch of the West was born here

Margaret Hamilton, the actress who famously portrayed the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz,” was born in Cleveland, on December 9, 1902. Despite her iconic portrayal of one of cinema’s most memorable villains, Hamilton’s roots in Cleveland remain lesser-known to many.

5. The famous Mill Creek Falls were man-made

Mill Creek Falls, nestled in Cleveland, Ohio, may appear as a natural wonder, but they are, in fact, a man-made feature. Constructed in the 1820s, the falls were engineered as part of the Ohio and Erie Canal system, serving as a picturesque backdrop and providing water power for nearby mills.

6. Christmas Story House

In the heart of Cleveland stands a cherished homage to holiday nostalgia: the Christmas Story House. This iconic house, featured prominently in the film “A Christmas Story,” is a real-life attraction that draws fans from around the globe. Located at 3159 West 11th Street in the Tremont neighborhood, the house has been lovingly restored to its cinematic glory.

7. Millionaires’ Row

Euclid Avenue in Cleveland holds a storied past as the illustrious “Millionaires’ Row,” a stretch of grandeur during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lined with extravagant mansions and adorned with elegant architecture, it was the residential enclave of the city’s wealthiest industrialists and entrepreneurs. Today, only a few homes exist, as the rest became commercial developments.