Green Book Cleveland

Introducing Green Book Cleveland, a new digital project based at @CPHDH at Cleveland State University that shares histories of sites of Black entertainment, leisure, and recreation in NE Ohio, primarily in the early to mid 20th century. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org

GBC was highlighted on @soundofideas on @Ideastream at the top of Wednesday's program. ideastream.org/show/sound-of-…

New coverage of Green Book Cleveland on @Ideastream ideastream.org/environment-en…

This article cites Green Book Cleveland’s documentation of the historical legacy of African American businesses on Cedar Avenue thelandcle.org/stories/planni… via @LandofCLE

Presenting Picturing Black History, a collaborative project between @OriginsOSU and @GettyImages. View photos from the archive paired with expert history analysis to learn more about Black American stories & history: picturingblackhistory.org @ASCatOSU @OhioState

Benny Mason operated the only Green Book–listed business in the Cleveland area that was outside the city. Cedar Country Club opened in Solon in 1936 and was called Mason's Farm from 1941 to 1951. (Photo courtesy of Solon Historical Society) greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/ceda…

Relee Lounge opened in 1946 on Central Ave. but soon moved to 899 E. 105th. There it flourished, attracting entertainers like Rip Bivins. At one point, Eugene "Hot Sauce" Williams managed it. The Green Book–listed Mildred's Beauty Lounge was upstairs. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/rele…

@edifiedlistener @Cleveland_PL Just one passing mention in the Call & Post in that year. City directories could pin down the years it was in business.

Here’s a cropped 1958 photo of the original Leo’s Casino at 4817 Central Avenue. Leo’s opened in 1952, burned in 1962, and reopened at 7500 Euclid Ave., becoming a major Motown stop until it closed in 1972. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/leos… Photo: Bd of Zoning Appeals pix @Cleveland_PL

Dearing's appears to the right of Mercury Bar on E. 105th St. in this 1960 photo from @Cleveland_PL. While his restaurant was never in the Green Book, Ulysses S. Dearing managed three clubs that were listed. More on this great #CLE restaurateur at greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/dear…

Here’s a new 1961 view of El Morocco Lounge Bar we’ve added to our short history of this Green Book business from the @Cleveland_PL Photograph Collection. El Morocco was located next to United Recreation Bowling on Cedar Ave. near E. 82nd St. Learn more at greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/el-m…

@j_milan_cle Our map pin for this one is approximate because so far we haven’t found enough information to be sure of the exact spot. It may have been closer to the lake but just used E 185 & Lakeshore as an easy reference.

Lake Shore Picnic Grounds in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood hosted the Tuxedo Club on this day in 1942. The Tuxedo Club was started by 17 African American workers at Hotel Cleveland in 1927. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/lake…

Benny Mason and Rodger Price opened the Blue Grass Club on E. 55th St. in 1944. For a time it was managed by noted restaurateur U.S. Dearing. In the late 1940s, liquor agents targeted it, finally forcing the onetime Green Book business to close in 1950. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/blue…

Northeast Ohio had 115 businesses that were listed at least once in the Green Book between 1938 and 1966. We're in the process of developing historical narratives on each of them, plus many unlisted Black leisure & recreation sites in that era. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org

After finding success in the restaurant business, Eugene "Hot Sauce" Williams purchased a 63-acre farm in Solon. The farm provided the herbs, spices, cattle, and pigs for his famous barbecue. It was also a popular public leisure spot from its inception. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/will…

When we think of historically Black beaches, Atlantic coastal resorts usually come to mind, but in the early 20th century, African Americans in the Great Lakes region also sought out their own beaches, including this one on Lake Erie in Ashtabula, Ohio. greenbookcleveland.placinghistory.org/locations/burt…