Those of you who follow along with this blog already know I hold a special place in my heart for the history of our nation. I stare at what has to be a 200-year-old tree in my neighborhood and wonder what events it has possibly seen. With Oberlin's rich history as an antislavery town and devoted to helping those traveling on the Underground Railroad, any number of things could have taken place near the tree. Was it a gathering place for townspeople to express their opposition to slavery? Did it at one time hide escaping slaves under its branches? These are the things I ponder as I take my afternoon walks.
My brother was in town this past week, for a conference in downtown Cleveland. When we picked him up at the end of the meetings, he said we needed to make one more stop before we headed back to the west side suburbs. His profession is a city planner and he really gets into sustainable and repurposing of things. I don't care for grocery shopping on my best day, but he insisted we go to the downtown Heinen's.
What a surprise!
Located on the corner of East 9th and Euclid Avenue, Heinen's is housed in what had at one time been a bank building. The Cleveland Trust Rotunda Building has been converted, quite beautifully, into an upscale grocery. This example of early 20th century architecture provides a glimpse of Cleveland in its heyday. Designed by George B. Post, renowned architect, this building was, and still is, one of the most iconic buildings in Cleveland. A painstaking renovation was undertaken by Heinen's, one of the oldest Cleveland grocery stores, and is now a creative use of repurposing a building while retaining much of its original charm.
Which proves that history awaits you around every corner, if you know where to look. And sometimes, when you don't.
Love those old buildings!Isn't it interesting the kinds of treasurers around us that we don't notice? In our small town, when I was young our bank building was memorable with marble counters and floors--but it was certainly nothing like the piece of art you've there! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, you're absolutely right. It is a piece of art. So glad someone had the foresight to save it.
DeleteThank you for sharing. So glad that beautiful building lives on with a new purpose.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Charlotte. I'm glad my brother found out about the building and shared it with me.
DeleteIt was decades before I truly appreciated my own city's history in Sacramento, CA. Now, whenever friends or family visit I take them to the older part of Sacramento. Wonderful post, Becky.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit Sacramento. Such a rich history. You're lucky to live there.
DeleteI always make it a point to look up at top of buildings in old,or small towns. You see the actual building as opposed to ground level store fronts--dates, embellishments, architecture. A quick window into the original town.
ReplyDeleteGood point, M.S., I'll remember that next time I'm wandering around.
DeleteWow, that's a beautiful building. I'd love grocery shopping there, although I'd probably get distracted and it would take me twice as long. :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't think I'll ever get used to shopping for groceries on multiple levels, I agree it is a beautiful place to pick up some good eats.
DeleteWhat a lovely building. How neat to discover hidden gems like this.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely surprise. Thanks for stopping by, Cat.
DeleteHi Becky. Finding history in the everyday and finding the stories is what I love about writing. Glad you got another opening for some muse time.
ReplyDeleteMuse time. I like that. Nice to see you here again, Lynn.
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