Cleveland in HDR – The 6th City Collection

Today’s Cleveland photo is of the Alta House. Here is some of the history of the Alta House from their website:

The Alta House Social Settlement, founded in 1895 by John D. Rockefeller, began as a support organization for Italian immigrants to the Mayfield-Murray Hill area, known today as Little Italy, of Cleveland, OH. The Alta House initially provided a nursery and kindergarten for the community, adding a library, youth campus and playground in the early 1920s. The goal was to provide services to families in the area, giving the youth of the community a place to learn and socialize while their parents worked.

By 1970, many renovations had taken place including addition of a banquet room, kitchen facilities, lounge area, lobby and preschool. In the 1980s, as the Little Italy population grew older, the Alta House expanded its Elderly Services Program that included: Meals-On-Wheels, homemaking support, transportation, shopping and field trips. In the 1990s, the Alta House focused on diversifying funding, community outreach and program expansion beyond Little Italy into the greater Cleveland area. These expansions included comprehensive senior services, youth services, community services and recreational programs.

In 2000, the Alta House created a five-year, organizational plan. The Alta House dedicated itself to be an established leader, partner and advocate among community organizations, and provide high quality programs to all community members.

Today, the Alta House continues its commitment toward social, educational, recreational and supportive services and development, for all ages, in the greater Cleveland area.

For more info please visit: http://www.altahouse.org/index.html

Today’s Quote: “If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it”. – John D. Rockefeller

The history of industry in Cleveland has always interested me. Samuel Mather, Henry Chisholm, John D. Rockefeller, and Charles Brush were just a few of many great men to bring industry to Cleveland. Some of that industry is still around today. Arcelor Mittal now employes some 1,850 people at its Cleveland steel works and a short drive away you can visit Charles Brush’s Nela park (now GE).

For some more great information on Clevelands industrial past and present please visit:

http://ech.case.edu/cgi/article.pl?id=I4

http://ech.case.edu/cgi/article.pl?id=IASI

Today’s Quote: “There exist limitless opportunities in every industry. Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier.”  Charles F. Kettering

Today’s Photo: Cleveland Arcade

Today’s photo is of the old Cleveland Arcade. The Arcade was originally financed by John D. Rockefeller and it was modeled on Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This property was recently sold at auction to Toronto-based Skyline International Development Inc.

Here is a little of what Skyline had to say about their purchase – “The property was acquired by Skyline at auction for $7.7 million after previous owners invested $70 million in acquiring and restoring the Arcade, including converting office towers to the hotel, and then defaulted on a mortgage.

Skyline CEO Michael Sneyd, who has been involved in and monitoring the American market for 15 years, views this destination community and lodging company’s first U.S. acquisition as another major milestone with five key factors. He said, “It’s the right time for Skyline to expand beyond Ontario and Canada. The Cleveland Arcade is the kind of mixed-use, legacy property where Skyline has expertise. It was an exceptional deal. It’s a well-known hotel and Cleveland is a relatively nearby destination for us, and a city that’s definitely on the move.”

Company Founder and President Gil Blutrich cites the combination of over $2 billion in public and private investment that will see a new convention center, medical mart and the Horseshoe Casino all open in downtown Cleveland by 2013, plus discussions around improving the city’s transportation infrastructure, as compelling reasons to invest there now.

“Cleveland is already filled with outstanding architecture, internationally famous chefs, top attractions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and sporting facilities. With these new additions Cleveland is poised to become a big regional draw for both meeting and leisure travelers,” Blutrich said.”

More info:

http://theclevelandarcade.com/

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toronto-based-skyline-international-development-checks-into-us-market-with-acquisition-of-historic-cleveland-arcade-and-hyatt-regency-hotel-136037953.html

Today’s Quote: “ People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents”. – Andrew Carnegie

Today’s Photo: John D. Rockefeller obelisk

From the about.com website:

“Before he left for New York, John D. Rockefeller was one of Cleveland’s favorite sons. The “richest man in the world” at the turn of the 20th century began his business career in Cleveland and made his fortune by founding the Standard Oil Company, based in the city. Rockefeller donated much to the city’s cultural institutions, including the land for Rockefeller Park.
When Rockefeller died in 1937 at the age of 98, he wished to be buried at Lake View Cemetery in the city he once called home. A 70-foot obelisk marks his grave. The structure, the tallest in the cemetery, was created by sculptor Joseph Carabelli.

Visitors to the gravesite often place dimes at the base of the stone, perhaps hoping that their money will increase as Rockefeller’s did.”

For more information:

http://cleveland.about.com/od/clevelandattractions/ss/lakeview_2.htm

http://www.lakeviewcemetery.com/famouspeople.php

Today’s Quote:

“I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.” – John D. Rockefeller