The West Side Market is celebrating its 99th birthday today, and amidst the celebration, we take a look back at the origins of Cleveland’s oldest publicly owned market.
The West Side Market began back in 1840 as an open air marketplace residing on a tract of land that was donated by two Ohio City landowners, Josiah Barber and Richard Lord. Located at the corner of West 25th and Lorain in Cleveland, the Market has gone through many changes and improvements to become as it is today.
The yellow brick market house with an interior concourse, which is the centerpiece of the market, was designed by architects Benjamin Hubbel and W. Dominick Benes. The duo also designed several other famous buildings in Cleveland, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Wade Memorial Chapel in Lakeview Cemetery. The Market’s 137-foot clock tower has stood as a Cleveland landmark for almost a century since the market house was dedicated in 1912.
Today, there are over 100 vendors of vast ethnic diversity at the Market. Things you can find at the Market include fine meats and fresh vegetables, fresh seafood, fresh flowers, dairy and cheese products and baked gods. A few booths sell ready-to-eat foods, candy and nuts and herbs. The Market is considered a tourist destination in Cleveland and millions of people are estimated to visit every year.
Why not head on down to the Market today and check out its offerings–what better time to go than on its 99th birthday?
