"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.

Cleveland's Colorful Characters tells many interesting and unknown stories about Cleveland and some of its more interesting citizens. Many of these citizens helped create some of Cleveland's and the country's finest institutions. Unfortunately, many of these stories are unknown to those living in the Cleveland area, and even fewer outside the area. With insights on how Clevelanders were the basis for the book, The Great Gatsby, having the first municipal airport in the country, the first automobile capital in the country, real life ghost stories, or a few previously unreported differences between men and women, there is something for everyone in this book. Especially for those with an interest in learning something new and different. If you're an automobile enthusiast, you'll enjoy the last 3 chapters as they detail over 125 automobile manufacturers in Cleveland. There is even a listing of everyone who owned a vehicle in 1904 in Cleveland.

"Alyn Brodsky's work follows Grover Cleveland through his early life in upstate New York, his career as a trial lawyer, mayor, and governor through to his first and second presidencies."--BOOK JACKET.

Dan Coughlin serves up another round of great stories . . . Meet the nutty sports team owner who nearly killed his franchise with terrible trades (and some spectators with an ill-advised publicity stunt) . . . The adventurous Browns lineman who flew a bombing run in Korea (though he wasn’t a pilot!) and survived a gunshot wound—from his wife . . . The Indians slugger with the worst attitude in baseball—he didn’t just menace pitchers; he menaced everyone . . . The brilliant and relentless tennis promoter who stole the Davis Cup . . . And many others—including Victor, the wrestling bear! In this third lively collection, Dan Coughlin tells yet more true tales about the most colorful characters he’s known in four decades covering sports for Cleveland TV and newspapers. Turn to any page and you’ll probably learn something new—and get a laugh out of it, too.

"From humble and hungry beginnings, the city of Cleveland grew over centuries until it boasted a dizzying array of gustatory choices. City dwellers and travelers alike flocked to the eateries at Public Square and Terminal Tower, including the Fred Harvey restaurants with their famous Harvey Girls. A single block-long street, Short Vincent featured the Theatrical Grille, the longest-running jazz joint in the area. The walls of Otto Moser's were a veritable Hollywood roll call, and the New York Spaghetti House offered a complete dining and aesthetic experience. Fill your cup with the libation of your choice, grab a snack and join author Bette Lou Higgins on a historical tour of the restaurants that kept Clevelanders fed."--Publisher's description.

The foulest crimes and worst in Cleveland history are recounted in these 15 incredible-but-true tales. Each no-holds-barred account into one of this city's most notorious moments, from the 1916 waterworks collapse to the Cleveland Clinic fire to the sensational Sam Sheppard murder trial. These gripping narratives deliver high drama and dark comedy, heroes and villains, obsession, courage, treachery, deceit, fear, and guilt -- all from the streets of Cleveland.

In 1796, when Gen. Moses Cleaveland founded the settlement on Lake Erie's shores that would become the city of Cleveland, he opened the way for many dynamic, visionary, and diverse individuals who would not only help Cleveland prosper as one of the greatest cities in the Midwest, but also give the city its unique character. Mobster Danny Greene's fate was sealed by a car bomb and his life was later immortalized in film. Vernon Stouffer helped revolutionize the frozen food industry and the way Americans eat. Almeda Adams refused to let her disability keep her from making contributions in education and music. And Zelma Watson George found success in theater and, later, politics as a goodwill ambassador and a delegate to the United Nations. Legendary Locals of Cleveland chronicles the fascinating stories of citizens who have impacted the city in political, social, philanthropic, business, educational, scientific/medical, entertainment, and even criminal areas.

Since the dream of flight was finally realized by two Ohioans, Wilbur and Orville Wright, it is little wonder that Greater Clevelanders were quick to embrace it. From the August day in 1910 when Glenn Curtiss flew from Euclid Beach Park to Cedar Point, aviation has had a strong following in Cleveland. World War I saw the dawn of aircraft production in the city, and the 1920s brought the world-renowned Cleveland National Air Races. Cleveland industry supported aviation in many different ways, and multiple airports, many now long gone, promoted business aviation and flight training for decades. During World War II, Cleveland was a center of war production, and much of this was aviation related. Subsequently, renovations of the Cleveland Municipal Airport created Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. A scene of thriving airline operations to this day, Cleveland's business community was quick to appreciate the advantages of corporate aviation, which remains a daily feature of Cleveland's aviation life.

The autobiography of Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played for the Cleveland Browns longer than anyone (1946-1967), vividly recalls a golden age of pro football. Filled with great personal anecdotes about fellow Browns legends like Jim Brown, Paul Brown, and Otto Graham. Groza was a gentleman in a rough game; he tells his story with warmth and humor.

Ohio coaching legend Paul Brown said he wanted to create "the New York Yankees of pro football" when he assembled the Cleveland Browns from scratch in 1946. Despite his ambition, not even the future Hall of Fame coach could have foreseen ten league championship appearances and seven titles in the team's first ten years. Since their first game, the Cleveland Browns have come to symbolize power, excellence, and gridiron dominance. Now fans of one of the NFL’s most storied teams will recapture all the excitement and glory of Browns football in this newly revised edition of Tales from the Cleveland Browns Sideline. Cleveland native and veteran football writer Tony Grossi recalls the personalities that sowed one of the NFL's proudest traditions and the characters who have continued to grow it. Fans will discover the unlikely origin of the Marion Motley trap play, the scout's inside story behind "the mad dog in the meat market,” the insult that launched Brian Sipe's rise from a thirteenth-round draft pick to the league's Most Valuable Player, and so much more. From Jim Brown to Bernie Kosar and up through the modern era, this book captures the colorful characters who wore the plain white uniforms and blank orange helmets like never before.