Lorain, Ohio: A Collection of Historic Snapshots of One of Cleveland's Neighbors

More than 10,000 years ago glaciers carved the Great Lakes and the surrounding lands that through the passage of time and pioneering efforts of many people became the lakeside cities of Cleveland and Lorain. Linked geographically, these two cities share parallels in their development as industrial ports and centers of commerce.

During the 1880s, when industry began to impact many U.S. cities, Lorain began a growth spurt that would define it for many years to come. The Nickel Plate Railroad, Hayden Brass Works, and the Lorain Thew Shovel Company began the evolution of a small town into an industrial center known worldwide.

The 1890s ushered in even more industry when the Johnson Steel Rail Company and the American Stove Works began building in Lorain. Several years later the American Ship Building Company made the significant commitment of building a yard that launched hundreds of ships during peace time and war. Lorain continued to grow and prosper, reflecting the trends of its eastern neighbor and the nation, and while industry declined in later years, Lorain remains today a congenial friend to Cleveland.

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Site Credits & Appreciation

The opportunity to take the photographs of Lorain, Ohio in the Cleveland Press Collection and add them to the Cleveland Memory Project was made possible by the staff of Cleveland State University’s Special Collection Area and the Digital Production Unit. The project was designed to provide a practicum experience for a Kent State University Masters degree student in Library and Information Science during the spring of 2006. Pam Coghlan, working under the supervision of the Special Collections Librarian, Bill Barrow, and with the very competent technical assistance of Joanne Cornelius, completed the initial work on the site. The staff of the Cleveland Memory Project will continue developing the site as time and resources become available.