St. Anthony’s Library Millionaire’s Row (dedicated to the performing arts) by Daniel Ruminski & and The English-Speaking Union Cleveland’s Vanishing “Books, Authors & You” Sacred Architecture A Literary Series for the Discriminating Reader by Barry K. Herman Sunday, November 6, 2011 -- 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm & Walter Grossman at The Hermit Club, 1629 Dodge Court, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 Call for Reservations: 216 – 621 – 2325; Limited Seating Event Cost: $25 per person Hors d’oeuvres, Cash Bar & Live Jazz 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm Presentation begins at 3:00 pm 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organizations Millionaire’s Row There is a stretch of Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue (US Route 20) that was once known as the most beautiful street in America. It was also known as “Millionaire’s Row” because in the late 1800s to the early 1900s, the street contained the homes of some of the richest and influential people in the city, county and country. Families living along “Millionaire’s Row” included those of Charles Brush Mansion Samuel Andrews Mansion industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller (during the 3725 Euclid Avenue 3033 Euclid Avenue period 1868 – 1884), banker and industrial distributor George Worthington, arc light inventor Charles F. Brush, mining magnate Samuel Mather, industrialist and politician Marcus Hanna, John Hay, personal secretary to Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State under William McKinley and Jeptha Wade, founder of Western Union Telegraph. Euclid Avenue’s most infamous resident was con artist Cassie Chadwick, the wife of Dr. Leroy Chadwick, who was unaware Mather Mansion that his wife was passing herself off to bankers as the illegitimate Tom L. Johnson Mansion 2605 Euclid Avenue daughter of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. 2343 Euclid Avenue The homes were representative of the then booming Cleveland economy and its growth and prominence in industry. Sadly, only a small number of these houses remain today, the others being overtaken by either the industrialization that brought the money here, or to neglect, disrepair and a growing urbanization of the area. Both Charles F. Brush and John D. Rockefeller had ordered their houses be razed after their deaths, as it was reportedly they preferred the destruction of their homes to Sylvester Everett Mansion inevitable deterioration. Daniel P. Fells Mansion 4111 Euclid Avenue 3201 Euclid Avenue Architect Charles Schweinfurth designed at least 15 mansions on the street. Samuel Mather’s mansion, built around 1910 “was among the last” to be built on Euclid Avenue. The Mather Mansion remains as part of Cleveland State University. As Cleveland’s commercial district began to push eastward, families moved east towards University Circle. By the 1920’s, the former “Millionaire’s Row” was in decline. During the Great Depression, many mansions were converted by their Francis Drury Mansion owners into rooming houses which accelerated the decline. Tyler Mansion 8615 Euclid Avenue Now the site of the Bulkley Building Cleveland’s Vanishing Sacred Architecture was written and compiled by historian Barry K. Herman and photographer Walter Grossman. As in other cities, Cleveland has developed through the evolution of its European ethnic neighborhoods and their various religions. Many of these neighborhoods built their own churches, which became the focus of community development and unity. For decades, these churches thrived, but the new millennium has brought with it huge changes in the economy. Large "membership" institutions, like the Catholic Church, have had to make the toughest of decisions--closing churches that were thought to be a permanent part of the local landscape. The authors of this book feel it is important to preserve the memory of these significant religious, cultural, and social institutions so that the current and future generations do not forget them. The pictures of these incredible places take on a whole new meaning High Altar Panoramic view of when coupled with the fact that they will soon be gone. These pages celebrate the architecture, art, and artifacts of these St. Adalbert St. James Church 2353 East 83rd Street 17514 Detroit Avenue sacred structures in high-quality photographs and explanations. Cleveland, Ohio Lakewood, Ohio The Parish of The Parish of The Parish of The Parish of Sacred The bell tower of The Parish of St. Adalbert St. Emeric St. Rose Heart of Jesus Church of St. Agnes St. Casimir The Parish of St. Procop The Parish of St. Wendelin The Parish of Our Lady of Mercy The Parish of St. James The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth was launched in London Saint Anthony’s Library Company (dedicated to the performing arts) is in 1918 by journalist (later, Sir) Evelyn Wrench, to further friendship and a charitable outgrowth of The Hermit Club, which is America’s longest understanding among English-speaking peoples around the world. The continuously operating private club devoted to the performing arts. English-Speaking Union of the United States was founded in 1920, in the belief that people sharing a common language would understand that they Recognizing the historical significance of The Hermit Club archives, shared similar values, regardless of nationality or background. Notable and the willingness of the Club to use these as a focal point for Chairmen of the ESU have included Sir Winston Churchill, of Britain, and community artistic outreach, the International Revenue Service has Dwight D. Eisenhower, of the US. granted the Library of St. Anthony, an Ohio corporation, status as a 501(c)(3) charity, putting the Library on par (from a tax-deductibility ESU members sustain educational programs and participate in cultural and standpoint) with the Cleveland Playhouse Foundation, Playhouse social events. Members also host visiting speakers and scholars and Square Foundation, the Musical Arts Association and other leading coordinate branch participation in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition, foundations in our area devoted to the performing arts. scholarship and exchange programs, plus volunteer as English-in-Action tutors. Members can benefit greatly from the personal relationships and Since 1904, club members and invited guests have performed thousands international contacts gained through ESU activities. of dramas, concerts and other artistic events, many with original scores, dialogs and set designs. The Cleveland Branch was founded in 1923 under President John A. Penton of the Penton Publishing Company. Branch headquarters were established in the During the course of the past 100 plus years, The Hermit Club has Union Trust Building in 1925, under David S. Ingalls (WWI flying ace), maintained archives of these performances, including original posters, Charles E. Thwing (President of Western Reserve University), Edith scripts, photographs of performances and other supporting documents. Charlesworth and Andrew Squire (founder of the law firm being his name). In addition, the archives contain documentation, posters, programs, etc. of guests of The Hermit Club who performed at Playhouse Square. For more information call 216.228.3091 or visit www.esucleveland.org .