20 Northeast Ohio Historical Destinations Actually Worth Your Time

Cleveland Masonic Temple

3615 Euclid Ave.

Completed in 1921, the Masonic Temple and Performing Arts Center, served as the home for the Cleveland Orchestra for 10 years before Severance Hall. While the center once had plans to build a high rise office building, it never became a reality. Instead, the Cleveland Masonic Temple serves as a live event venue for touring bands, comedians, and wrestling matches.

Photo via Larry_theovercomer/Instagram

Cozad Bates House

11508 Mayfield Rd.

This cozy red brick house is the oldest surviving pre-Civil War structure in University Circle. The house, built in a rare italianate style, has been saved from demolition on multiple occasions and has been preserved as a national historic landmark.

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Cleveland Cultural Gardens

750 E 88th St.

These picturesque landscapes make the Cultural Gardens an ideal location for an afternoon stroll. The gardens were originally created by Cleveland State University students. The project has developed to include members of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and social studies teachers.

Photo via Scene Archives

The Burrell Homestead

2792 E River Rd., Sheffield

The Burrell Homestead was home to many past generations. The house was a stop along the Underground Railroad during the Civil War where slaves would hide in the grain barn on their way north. The house was also once used as a prep school for Oberlin College called Sheffield Manual Labor Institute.

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Maltz Performing Arts Center

1855 Ansel Rd.

After undergoing dazzling renovations, the 1920s Temple Tifereth Israel was revamped into a concert performance venue, thus giving birth to the Maltz Performing Arts Center. Next month, enjoy upcoming performances from the Cleveland Classic Guitar Society, Cleveland Chamber Choir next month, and an appearance from author Judy Blume.

Photo via W_lemay/Instagram

Franklin Castle

4308 Franklin Blvd.

Also known as the Tiedemann House, the house was built by German immigrant, Hannes Tiedemann, who made his fortune as a wholesale grocer and banker in 1881-1883. Franklin Castle is also known as one of the most haunted places in Ohio, with so-called deaths caused by unknown circumstances. On the bright side, the castle is a perfect spot to take an artsy Instagram photo.

Photo via Scene Archives

Indian Signal Tree

Peck Rd., Akron

No trip to Akron is complete without a stop at the signal tree. The tree was constructed by native Americans to mark the most Northeast point of Portage Path, which they used to carry their canoes between the Cuyahoga River and Summit Lake. There is also a 2 and a half mile hiking trail here, making for the ideal Sunday afternoon stroll.

Photo via Georger_bavum/Instagram

West Side Market

1979 W. 25th St.

Opened since 1912, West Side Market is Cleveland’s oldest continuously operating municipally owned market. Three public markets existed in Cleveland at the time, but West Side Market is the only one to still remain. Stop by and try new foods from various cultures at the plethora of vendor stations located throughout the market. It is a dream come true for any food guru.

Photo by Emmanuel Wallace

James A. Garfield National Historic Site

8095 Mentor Ave., Mentor

Recognized under the National Park Service, there is plenty to do at the James Garfield Park for an afternoon Take a guided tour through President Garfield’s home and learn all about how his family lived in the 1880’s. The visitor centers offers additional exhibits and an 18 minute video to learn all about Garfield’s life.

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