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Did you know that since the 1970's,
the Flats has undergone a stunning transformation from a
manufacturing and distribution center to a unique, mixed-use
district that combines restaurant, entertainment and even
housing with industrial and transportation activity? In
short, the Flats has become the region's entertainment Mecca.
More than 7 million visitors patronize over 50 entertainment
venues that generate over $100 million in revenues. Click
on a link below to discover more facts.
- The Flats enjoys a history that
begins in 1796.
- The Cuyahoga River travels 100
miles, twisting and turning through Geauga, Portage, Summit
and Cuyahoga counties before it ends at Lake Erie. The
river was named after the Mohawk Indian word "Cahagaga"
meaning "crooked river."
- The Flats Oxbow Association is
named for the oxbow shape of the river.
An oxbow is the wooden yoke of an ox.
- Why are the Flats called the
Flats?
The Flats are the flat land on both banks of the Cuyahoga
River.
- In 1797, the Lorenzo Carter family
became the first permanent settlers on the river.
- Many major companies and wealthy
families in Cleveland had their early beginnings in the
Flats:
John D. Rockefeller, Sherwin Williams, Austin Powder,
White Sewing Machine and Beeman's gum.
- The west side of the river was
known as Ohio City. The rivalry between Cleveland on the
east bank of the Cuyahoga and Ohio City on the west bank
erupted in the mid 1830's. This is referred to as the
"Bridge War." The west side of the river became
a part of Cleveland in 1854.
- The Center Street Bridge, built
in 1901, is the only remaining swing bridge over the river.
- Since 1902, over 5,000,000 bushels
of wheat a year come from fields across the United States
to Cereal Food Processors in the Flats to be turned into
flour. The processed flour is then shipped locally and
to various states.
- In 1915 the Detroit Superior
Bridge (Veterans Memorial Bridge) was started. There was
a need for a bridge that vessels could pass underneath
without opening and closing the bridge The bridge opened
in 1918 and was the largest double-decked concrete bridge
in the world. Streetcars traveled across the bridge on
the second deck. The bridge is now on the Register of
Historic Places.
- In 1932 the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge
(Hope Memorial Bridge) was opened. The bridge is unique
with stone carvings at each end representing symbols of
transportation.
- Ground was broken in 1938 for
the Main Avenue Bridge, a bridge that did not go through
downtown.
- The Powerhouse in the Flats was
built by Marcus Hanna to supply electricity for streetcars.
Cleveland's last streetcar run was made on January 23,1954.
After seeing the Powerhouse in ruins, it is now seen as
a vibrant entertainment complex.
- International Salt Company (now
Cargill Salt Inc.) Started business in the Flats in 1961.
Tons of rock salt are brought out of the salt mines located
under Lake Erie. There's enough salt deposits to last
the next 100 years.
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