The city is in northern Ohio on Lake Erie with the Cuyahoga River running through it. It is located approximatley 1/2 way between New York and Chicago. I-90, I-77 and I-71 run throught the city. I-80 can be easily reached from I-77.

The city's size is 77.6 square miles and has a population of 478,403 people (2000). This makes it the 33rd largest city in the U.S. The metro area is much larger at 2,945,831, making it the 16th largest metro area in the U.S. This includes the nearby city of Akron and many suburban towns. Cleveland is serviced by 1 major airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Once known as "the mistake by the lake", Cleveland has cleaned up its act as these pictures show and now advertises itself as "the New American City". A vibrant down town area and larger surrounding metro area, all people that I have met from this area have spoken highly of it. Cleveland has over 2000 acres of public park land. There is a great deal more park land just outside of the city. It has many colleges including Case Western Reserve University. Museums , ballets and orchestras all make their home in Cleveland.

The area was surveyed in 1796 by Moses Cleaveland and settled as a village in 1814. Little growth occurred until 1832 with the completion of the Ohio Canal. This linked Cleveland to the Ohio River and became a key trade link between the Ohio Valley and eastern markets serviced by the Erie Canal. With improved access to iron ore and coal, industrial development occurred in the 1850s. Oil refining, led by John D. Rockefeller took hold during the Civil War. This led to dramatic growth upto the 1910s (population over 700,000) with high paying industrial jobs being the draw. By the 1960s and 1970s, many of these opportunities had left the area and Cleveland was in a serious decline. The city has seen a large population decline during this era but has stabilized in recent years. Many credit DJ Alan Freed of Cleveland as coining or popularizing the term rock n roll to describe the uptempo black R&B records he played as early as 1951 on Cleveland radio station WJW. The Freed-sponsored 1952 Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland is believed to be the nation's first rock and roll concert. After conquering Cleveland, he took his show to WINS New York.

The city's economy is centered around a strong manufacturing base. The manufacture of steel and steel products supplies its heavy industry. A top region for machine tools, automotive and airplane parts, trucks and electronic equipment and appliances. Oil refining, batteries and other chemicals contribute to the strong manufacturing base. Printing, publishing, medical and industrial research centers are housed in Cleveland. Shipping of iron ore, coal, grain, livestock come through the harbor.

Most of the pictures are from the downtown area. Other sections of the city include the old gritty industrial district along the banks of the Cuyahoga called the "Flats". It has been turned into an after-hours playground featuring many clubs. Young people out for a night on the town party at dance clubs in the shadow of the smokestacks and loading cranes which once defined the city. The downtown offers jazz clubs and restaurants or you can opt for an elegant meal in one of the high-class eateries in nearby Lakewood or Tremont.

The weather has Cleveland receiving on average 37"/year of rain per year. Tempeartures average from 72F in July down to 25F in January. This can result in hot summers followed by cold winters.

All pictures are from Cleveland, using film and digital pictures. The pictures below on this page are all from various parts of the city.

Key Tower from 6th and St. Claire.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from Lakeside Drive. This beautiful building was designed by I.M. Pei.
Enlarge this Picture.

From the lake near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Clevelands skyline.
Enlarge this Picture.

From the lake near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Key Tower and the Browns new stadium.
Enlarge this Picture.

Inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, most areas you are not allowed to take pictures. Jerry Garcia, of the Grateful Dead, insisted that his guitars be allowed to be photographed.
Enlarge this Picture.

Tower City Center at Euclid and Ontario.
Enlarge this Picture.

From the same location as above, the statue at the city square.
Enlarge this Picture.

The advance guard from the above statue.
Enlarge this Picture.

City Hall from 6th and Lakeside.
Enlarge this Picture.

The statue from Cleveland Police Headquarters, the Cuyahoga County Courthouse is behind it on Ontario, between St. Claire and Lakeside.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Old Stone Church which is located at Rockwell and Ontario.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Cleveland skyline and Lake Erie looking east from Edgewater Park.
Enlarge this Picture.

Lake Erie looking west from Edgewater Park.
Enlarge this Picture.

Further information on Cleveland can be found at the Cleveland Home Official City Web Site,
or Cleveland Digital City page.