March meeting 3/14

The Historical Society of Old Brooklyn invites you to join us for a talk given by Tom Romito, an interpreter of Native American Culture, on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Pearl Road United Methodist Church, 4200 Pearl Road, at 7 p.m. Inquiries call museum at (216)377-8200. More about Mr. Romito.

And next...
On Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. Jamie Lynne Owens and Maria P. Moldovan of Riverside Cemetery; "Naming the Roads to Riverside". The presentation will feature familiar names, as some of our area roadways are named for individuals interred at Riverside Cemetery.

The future of our past depends on you

Please consider making the Historical Society part of your charitable giving. While our membership fees help, they don't fully cover the costs of "keeping the lights on," so we rely on additional support each year to fund our daily operations.

The old neighborhood
Even if you're no longer an Old Brooklyn resident, many of you look back on your time here with fondness. Whether it was your childhood or your early adult years, Old Brooklyn shaped who you are today. The Historical Society is a place of homecoming—and you're always welcome. We invite you to keep those memories alive and pay forward to those who are creating their own stories here.

A sense of place
Our history is more than just a record of the past; it shapes our future. When residents connect with the place they call home, it fosters a sense of belonging and helps guide plans for a sustainable community. A thriving Historical Society strengthens this bond, contributing to the well-being of Old Brooklyn now and for generations to come.

Help us provide a bright future by preserving the past.

Pearl & Memphis

Learn about the history and proposed future of our downtown intersection.

Gothic Revival St. Luke Evangelical and Reformed Church building, built in 1903, with a
school addition added in 1922. Features include a crenellated corner tower, lancet window openings on sanctuary building and school, and attached buttresses. A "Good Shepherd" stained glass window is found on the original structure's gable section.

Brookmere Cemetery

Brookmere Cemetery, established in 1843 and located at 3645 Broadview Rd. (western end), has been referred to as a "disrespected" City of Cleveland cemetery. Over the years, it has suffered from vandalism and significant disrepair. Fortunately, Linda Cameron and her sister, Karen Parks, have taken the initiative to form a volunteer Preservation Coalition to address these challenges.

This year, Brookmere was chosen as Ohio's host for the 48 State Tour, a philanthropic initiative by Atlas Preservation, a leader in monument and building restoration. This nationwide program offers FREE workshops focused on the proper cleaning and repair of headstones and monuments. Many historic cemeteries, including Brookmere, lack the funding for essential repairs and rely on the dedication of volunteers, fundraising, and grants.

On August 5 participants learned how to identify stones, understand carvings, ensure cemetery safety, and master essential repair techniques. This was a unique opportunity to acquire valuable skills from an expert in the field. For more details and other locations, please follow the links below:

MORE INFO:
News 5 Cleveland stories on Brookmere Cemetery
Old Brooklyn's Brookmere Cemetery included in nationwide cemetery tour, Plain Press
5th 48 State Tour News Release
48 State Tour Flyer
Workshop Agenda

Discover Old Brooklyn: A Neighborhood Rich in History

Nestled on the West Side of Cleveland, Old Brooklyn spans about 6 square miles and is just five miles south of downtown. Its borders stretch from Big Creek and the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood to the north, the Cuyahoga River and the village of Brooklyn Hts. to the east, Parma to the south, and Brooklyn to the west.

Old Brooklyn has its roots in the original Brooklyn Township, organized as a governmental structure in 1818. The first settlers, who journeyed here from Connecticut, arrived in 1812, and by 1814, more had settled south of Big Creek Valley. These early pioneers used Indian trails as the foundations for the roads we know today—Pearl, Broadview, and Schaaf.

In 1838, Brighton Village was briefly incorporated around what's now the intersection of Pearl and Broadview Roads. Over the years, as German farmers moved in, the area grew and evolved. By 1889, the village was renamed South Brooklyn. Then, in 1905, the area began to annex into the City of Cleveland, ultimately becoming part of the city by 1927. The move was sparked by South Brooklyn's prized light plant, which was established in 1902.

Old Brooklyn's growth also owes much to its agricultural roots—specifically greenhouse gardening. Beginning in 1887 along Schaaf Road, the area earned the nickname "Greenhouse Capital of the United States" by the mid-20th century. And we can't forget one of the neighborhood's most beloved landmarks: the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which opened in 1914 and continues to be a major draw for visitors and locals alike.

Meetings and more

Watch Events and Facebook for the latest news on HSOB events and whereabouts and be sure to mark your calendars!

There's a cemetery on Broadview? (Not Brooklyn Hts. Cemetery)

YES! Brooklyn Union Burial Ground. Located on Broadview Road near Spring Road. The Historical Society maintains this historic burying ground. ... Learn more.

Old Brooklyn Collage by Jim Ptacek (a unique and lasting gift, but you'll want your own too!)

The Historical Society of Old Brooklyn along with Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation have collaborated with photographer Jim Ptacek in creating an Old Brooklyn Collage. They are on sale for $20.00/ea. Jim Ptacek is a noted Cleveland artist, widely known for his sepia-toned images of local landmarks. We are pleased to offer this new print along with Jim Ptacek photos, note cards, magnets and lapel pins at the Museum/Store, 3430 Memphis Ave. The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 12 noon till 5 p.m.

Also for sale—Old Brooklyn flags!

Vintage 3' x 5' flags for only $40. Only a few available.

1950s/1960s Photos Wanted

Do you have any photos of the Memphis-Fulton Shopping Center or the shopping district at Pearl and Broadview Roads??? The Historical Society of Old Brooklyn would love to make duplicates of them for our collection. We will return your original photos if you provide your name and full address. Thank you so much.

Also Wanted...

James Ford Rhodes High School yearbooks: 1972, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Our bricks & mortar home!

We are located at 3430 Memphis Avenue (just west of Pearl Road) and are open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 12 Noon - 5 p.m.

We can always use a little help! Here's our wish list:
PVC free protector pages for photos | acid free folders | printer ink | printer paper | tissue, TP | clear, adhesive tape | guest/register book | office supplies | folding chairs | shelves and display cases

Contact us by email or call 216-337-8200 if you are interested in volunteering at the museum.

Always more to come...

We invite you come along as our organization, our museum, and this website grow. If you share our interest in preserving and sharing the past, we encourage you to join us in our endeavors.

Join Us

Membership is only $20 a year.

A note on the title: The typeface used in “The Historical Society of Old Brooklyn ” is called "Really Big Shoe NF," based on an offering from the Cleveland Type Foundry, originally named Oxford. It was produced by Nick’s Fonts, a small foundry that seeks to preserve typographic heritage. Cleveland Type Foundry was in business from 1875 to 1892 when they became part of the American Type Founders (ATF). See www.archive.org/details/ATF1893ClevelandSpecimen.