Cleveland's Colorful Characters

Kit Whipple

• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781645593263
• eBook ISBN: 9781645593287
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

"Cleveland's Colorful Characters" is an easy to read, insightful book on some of Cleveland's most influential individuals. These individuals helped create the grand and unique city which at one time was one of the most respected cities in the word. The first chapter is on the Mather family and how they helped create many of Cleveland's world class institutions. On a lighter side they were the first documented individuals to throw a 'toga party'. The 2nd chapter provides insights into the Van Sweringens who built many of Cleveland's finest homes and buildings as well as being the largest railroad owners in the country. Through the author's research he was able to determine they were the bases for the book, The Great Gatsby. The 3rd chapter concerns Jim Backus who was the creator of Mr. Magoo as well as the millionaire on Gilligan's Island. He attended University school and great up in Bratenahl. Local lore states Mr. Magoo was based on a University School teacher. The other chapters inform readers on Charles Schweinfurth, aka "Cleveland's Castle Creator", a brief insight into Camp Cleveland a 20, 000 person Civil War camp in University Heights, unusual ghost stories and the last three chapters are dedicated to Cleveland's automotive history. This is when Cleveland was the car capital of the country, if not the world. Much of the intriguing information in this fact-packed book is new information which the author derived from his in-depth research and conversations with family descendants of those depicted in the book.

Chapter 9

1904 Vest Pocket Automobile Directory

This list was first published in 1904, listing all automobile owners in the Cleveland area and other owners who purchased automobiles in Cleveland and took them to other locations in the country. It discusses many of the laws relating to automobiles, and one of the more interesting was the speed limit was 8 miles an hour in the city and fifteen miles an hour in the country. Many well-known Clevelanders are listed, and of them, many lived on Euclid Avenue.

Even in 1904, gasoline cars made up the largest percentage of ownership. Steam was second, and electric third. MC may have listed motorcycles; however, it is uncertain of the abbreviation GMC. In 1904, there were 1,270 automobiles on this list.

Gasoline cars	783	61.65%
Steam cars	263	20.71%
Electric cars	205	16.14%
GMC	16	1.26%
MC	3	0.24%

Below is a full list of vehicles owned in the Cleveland area in 1904. At this time, Cleveland was the automotive capital of the country

572. Abel, Henry J., M. D., 1456 Pearl St., S

1213. Aborn, W. G., Western Reserve Bldg., S.

634. Akelson, H. S. Oberlin, Ohio, G.

11. Adams, Hobert M., 264 Euclid Ave., S.

51. Adams, W. W., E. Cleveland O., S.

805. Adams, Frank, 75 Maud St., G.

61. Adams, George D., 103 Edwood Pl., G.

395. Adler, Julieus L., 259 Forest St., S.

321. Akins, A. E., White Hall, Fairmont St., E.

80. Alcott, C. F. 116 Edgewood Pl., G.

291. Alcott, C.B., 1176 Edgewood Pl., G.

573. Alcott C. F., 116 Edgewood Pl., G.

90. Alcott, F. L. Jr., 1176 Euclid Ave, G.

726. Alcott, F. L. Jr., 1176 Euclid Ave, GMC

212. Alexander W. D. B. 1401 Euclid Ave, G.

765. Alexander, G., 532 Quincy St., G.

472. Allen E. Bingham, 1695 Euclid, S.

1266. Allen W. M. 40 Spangler Ave., E.

1073. Altman, H. J. 1388 Woodland Ave., G.

1198. Allyne, Edmund E., 389 Russell, E

810. Alexander W. D. B., 1401 Euclid, G.

285. American Motor Car Co.,...

Table of contents

• Brothers of a Different Mother
• The Railroad Kings and Their Queen
• Mr. Magoo Was from Cleveland
• Schweinfurth—Cleveland’s Castle Creator
• University Height’s Camp Cleveland
• Ghost Stories and the Story of the Best Man
• Cleveland Cars
• Larger and More Influential Cleveland Automobile Manufacturers
• 1904 Vest Pocket Automobile Directory
• A Few Differences