January 1950: Architectural Sketch of the Shore Branch Cuyahoga Library

70 years ago this week, an architect's rendering of the Shore branch of the Cuyahoga county library was presented. The library was located at 264 East 222nd st., and the architect was local builder Frank Mavec

January 1950 library tease

Euclid Township Hall and Euclid City Hall

On the afternoon of April 12, 1929, Euclid's city hall on North Street was ablaze and would soon burn to the ground. Fire Chief Ernest Earick blamed the fire on faulty wiring, specifically a short circuit that sparked tarred hemp used by the water department to pack pipe joints. Chief Earick was on the first floor of the two story building, built in 1894, and had the misfortune of falling through the burning floor into the basement. He was rescued, revived and remained on scene.

Talk about hardcore.

Having no city hall, everybody (even the police) moved over to the "old hotel" (The Euclid Inn) on Chardon road, near Euclid ave. The depression made rebuilding a slow process, and the temporary city hall ended up being a 9 year solution.

Plans were completed in 1934 and construction of the new "old" Euclid city hall began in 1937. There was a bit of back-and-forth about the location, though.

Here's a photo of the newly constructed hall in 1938. It was completed by WPA workers and cost $100,000.

City Hall still stands today, but was outgrown in the mid 1980's. The basement of this building was actually the police department until 1950.

It currently sits right next to the current (municipal center) city hall, completed in 1989.

Bonus: Showing off a 4 year old city hall in the 1942 Euclid city directory.

Carrol's Restaurant 788 East 222nd St.

Today on this spot (788 East 222nd st.) sits a car wash. In 1969, the Medved family sold this property to Carrol's (a company that still thrives - read on to see just who you definitely know them as today).

This flyer with coupon is from the pre-Euclid, Ohio location. The location on 222nd street did not share the angular, googie build of the top store but rather the square seen nearer to the bottom.

The Parma Heights location actually still appears to be the same building, although it's now Chinese food and was previously a Pizza Hut. Neat!

1972

The following photos are of the Euclid Carrols restaurant:

1972

1973

1974

1975

Kind of bland, boxy, fast food style restaurant. I would have been heartbroken had there been 2 amazing googie restaurants that were torn down!

Not the Euclid location, but the same exact model

I'd never heard of Carrols before. Carrol's was there in 1971 but stayed for little more than half a decade. In 1975, the parent company entered into a franchise with Burger King, a relationship that lives on presently. Some locations were turned in Burger Kings and all the rest (there were over 150 in total) were phased out.

For nearly a week in September 1976, they were virtually giving away Carrol's coffee mugs. And by late Fall of 1977, the location was in business as a Red Barn.

In 1983/1984, 788 East 222 Street was known as Shalaam Fish House.

Cleveland Call and Post 17 Nov 1983

Today, Wash Works (790 E 222nd st):

Here's a few neat pieces from Carrol's restaurant.

Carrol's guest check pad

I stumped Carrols Hi Riddle Diddle pin

Merkel Family Home to The Lakeshore Shopping Center - 1945

The planning of the Lakeshore shopping center began in 1945. It's near the corner of Babbitt and East 222nd St.

In 1945 plans were made to build a shopping center at Lakeshore Blvd. The land was owned by the Merkel family for many years. Wilbur Merkel was the real estate investor for the shopping center. The land was valued at $750,000. The plans in 1945 were to build 26 stores. Parking was for 350 cars. The Merkel family home had recently been demolished in 1945.

The first Department Store that opened in the shopping center was the Burr Department Store in 1948. On the left was W.M.Mullen, Assistant manager and on the right, W.C Croswell, Manager.

The Grand opening of the store was a big event. Mayor Sims was to cut the ribbon for the opening. Dale Harper and the Euclid High marching band was to perform. The Grand Opening ran from May 22nd to May 29th, 1948. Two "Grand Awards" were given out, an RCA Radio and a two-piece living room set.

One of the first restaurants in the shopping plaza was a Howard Johnson's in 1947. It was later replaced by the Tasty Shop and then Charlites.

This picture from the 1955 Euclid High yearbook shows the Tasty Shop, Fisher Foods and Krogers, which were grocery stores. This was around Christmas Time.

This is the August 2014 view with Aldi's, Radio Shack, H.R Block and Subway. The Center is now known as Shore Center Shopping Center.

Flashback: Bliss (E. 222nd St) and St. Clair 1928 and Today

Trivia for the day: Before East 222nd Street was, well E. 222nd, it was Bliss Rd. Now go impress your friends at parties!

Make sure you click this image to see the details! Image courtesy Cleveland History

 The sign reads

This road will be paved with a 30 foot sheet asphalt pavement from Euclid Ave. to Lakeshore Boulevard. Bliss Road. Board of County Commissioners. J.R. Zmunt, John G. Fischer, J.H. Harris, Frank R. Lander - County Engineer

The same view from 2014

And look closely! Is that the same house in the distance?