Cleveland Rocks

For those of you who don't know, I've been involved in this program called Leadership Cleveland. It's an 8 month program where one day a month myself and my 16 classmates meet at the Chamber and learn about various aspects of our community. Yesterday was our Community Awareness/Tourism day. We began the day at the Museum where they currently have an exciting postcard exhibit (that comment was dripping with sarcasm), then we went to the Habitat for Humanity home store, The library, The COG headquarters, the Red Clay State Park and finished the day with a hayride at the Apple Vally Orchard. While some of it was a little "too" informational, it was very interesting to hear about Cleveland's rich History. I've never really been a small town girl so learning about the heritage of this small town was fascinating for me. Here are some fun facts from yesterday's historic walking tour:

The Spot opened its doors in 1937 as a snack bar named "Orange Teaco." It specialized in hamburgers and malted milk shakes. It was originally known for its unique way of serving hamburgers...by throwing them to customers. The spot still features its original chili recipe.

Cafe Roma's building used to serve as the news center of Cleveland and Bradley County from 1854 to 1936. The newspapers housed here included the Banner News, the Cleveland Journal, the Cleveland Journal and Banner and finally the Cleveland Daily Banner.

At 280 Ocoee Street, stands the former Apler's Shoe Store building where the Reverend Billy Graham worked as a shoe salesman during his brief enrollment at Bob Jones College.

Red Clay State Historic Park was the site of the last council grounds of the Cherokee nation before their removal along the tragic Trail of Tears. The sacred council spring produces more than 400,000 gallons of sapphire-blue water each day. It also houses one of the Cherokee Nation's eternal flames that represents their undying spirit.

The Houston Apartments (those awful looking white apartments where Ocoee and Broad meet) used to be the Cleveland Masonic Female institute that provided scholarships for young ladies unable to pay the school's modest tuition of $15 to $40 per year. The school was forced to close in 1861 during federal occupation of the city. It is believed that the building served as a hospital or military headquarters during the Civil War.

This blog was a Cleveland public service. Don't you feel so much smarter and better informed?

You're welcome