Introduction
Moses led his followers across the Pennsylvania state line and into the Promised Land on July 4, 1796, thereby giving fresh luster to a date already highly illuminated by historic significance. In this case, the wilderness leader was Moses Cleaveland and his followers were surveyors enlisted by the Connecticut Land Company to survey its newly acquired holdings in the Western Reserve-an area called New Connecticut, extending from Pennsylvania to the Cuyahoga River on the west.
General Cleaveland understandably was moved to record the historic arrival in his journal. His entry for that day said, in part:
“. . . And after many difliculties perplexities and hardships were surmounted, and we were on the good and promised land, [we] felt that a just tribute of respect to the day ought to be paid. There were in all, including men, women and children, fifty in number. The men, under Captain Tinker ranged themselves on the beach, and fired a Federal salute of fifteen rounds, and then the sixteenth in honor of New Connecticut. We gave three cheers and christened the place Port Independence. Drank several toasts, viz:
“lst. The President of the United States.
“2d. The State of New Connecticut.
“3d. The Connecticut Land Company.
“4th. May the Port of Independence and the fifty sons and daughters who have entered it this day be successful and prosperous.
“5th. May these sons and daughters multiply in sixteen years sixteen times fifty.
“6th. May every person have his bowsprit trimmed and ready to enter every port that opens.
“Closed with three cheers. Drank several pails of grog, supped and retired in remarkable good order.”
Looking back, this particular Fourth of July outing presents itself as a rather modest bash, considering all that Cleaveland and his followers had to celebrate. Not only did the day signify the twentieth anniversary of American independence, it also marked an important westward movement by the United States-an entrance into the richly fertile, forested Ohio country to extend the white man’s domain some ninety miles further, as far away as the place where the Cuyahoga River meanders into Lake Erie. Here, where the latter-day Moses struck his surveying rods, a city named in his honor quickly gushed forth, but this spectacular achievement never qualified as a miracle. A number of wise men- George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and a Moravian missionary named John Heckewelder, among them- had spoken favorably of this strategic site. It was more or less expected that one day a city would grow there. And it did.
The thing that nobody could predict accurately was what kind of city would spring out of the bulrushes along the Cuyahoga, and since it is now acknowledged to be one of the great cities of the world, it does appear to be high time for a close examination of this city called Cleveland, past and present. That’s what this book is all about. It is, admittedly, a sympathetic scrutiny; one which has eyes for the people as much as the place, for how can you divorce one from the other? Wherever possible, I have tried to part the syntax to let some of their laughter slip through as a reminder that Cleveland is their creation. Historians who like to stifle the human side of humanity can accept this as a rebuke.
I have had much help; too much to separate and identify by source in its entirety. Still, I must acknowledge the many helpful contributions of my wife, Marjorie; the typing assistance and research help of my daughter, Theresa Ann Condon, and, in that same department, the invaluable work of Miss Madeline Grimaldi. And there are those old friends who spurred me into writing action when the instinct was strong to flee and take cover- Frank and Ginnie McCullough, Ronald and Katie Robbins. I thank them as I thank all who helped; indeed, as I thank all who, with bowsprits properly trimmed, choose to enter this port with me.
George E. Condon
Cleveland, Ohio