Explore Cleveland's golden age, her decline and her rebirth with this commemorative photographic history. Cleveland: 1930-2000 is the second of two volumes commemorating the history of the heart and pride of northeast Ohio. Situated on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland emerged as an industrial and commercial giant at the end of the 19th Century, earning herself the title of America's "Sixth City" as her population soared, nearing one million. Like many American manufacturing giants, Cleveland experienced a period of decline in industry and commerce, and as with many other urban areas, civil rights issues threatened to rip apart the fabric of the city. Despite that, the city emerged from those tumultuous times with a renewed commitment for a better future.
Native Clevelander Thea Gallo Becker earned her masters degree in History from Cleveland State University and is the author of two other books in Arcadia's Images of America series: Lakewood and the predecessor to this book, Cleveland: 1796-1929. The photographs presented here come from Cleveland State University Library's Special Collections area.