Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, Ohio (pop. 20,735)

 

HISTORY -- From the time of arrival of the first permanent settlers in about 1810, the City of Rocky River, then an agricultural community, was variously called Granger City, Riverbank, Rockport and Rocky River Hamlet. Incorporated as a hamlet in 1893, it became a village in 1903 when the first mayor, Mark Mitchell , and a council were elected. A 1960 charter adopted the mayor-council government. Rocky River is named after the river which, in turn, was named by the Indians who camped and stored their canoes on the island at the mouth of the river, now headquarters of the Cleveland Yachting Club. The winding river valley is part of the Cleveland Metroparks System.

 

Welcome to Rocky River (or, for the pretentious, simply “River”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hotel Westlake, built in 1925, and converted into condos in the 1980s.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

 

 

I’m a sucker for historical markers:

 

The 1930 Beachcliff Theater was remodeled into an indoor shopping center housing boutiques, but was recently (poorly) redone  to incorporate a strip center (which is about half vacant).  The original theater front is now a British pub:

 

Haven’t been here since the renovation, but they used to have an “Orient Express” railcar inside:

 

The strip mall:

 

The Lake Road clock tower:

 

Bradstreet’s Landing:

 

From Encyclopedia of Cleveland History:

BRADSTREET'S DISASTER, which occurred 1.7 mi. west of Rocky River on 18 Oct. 1764, is one of the most notable events in the presettlement history of Cleveland. In late summer 1764, British Col. John Bradstreet, renowned as the hero of Ft. Frontenac, proceeded from Ft. Niagara to Ft. Detroit with 2,300 British regulars, American provincials, and Indians. Stopovers on this westward trek included the Cuyahoga and Rocky rivers on 18 and 19 Aug. Initially part of a 3-pronged assault to put down Pontiac's Rebellion, after Indian quiescence the mission became one of reinforcement, exploration, retrieval of captives, challenge of hostile groups, and peacemaking. On the return to Ft. Niagara from an extended encampment at Sandusky, Bradstreet's party found the otherwise safe shelter of Rocky River too treacherous for their 46'-long bateaux to navigate because of darkness. Instead they rowed their 60 boats and 9 canoes, laden with 1,500 troops, to a swale near ROCKY RIVER (now the park, "Bradstreet's Landing"). An unexpected storm struck suddenly, with high waves causing the destruction of 25 boats and damaging others. Three days were required for repair before further travel could be undertaken, and the shortage of boats necessitated that a portion of the party proceed over land. Bad weather severely hampered the progress of the boats, while shortages of food and supplies caused much hardship for the overland party. Although rumors of marchers' perishing exist, only 1 fatality is confirmed in the struggle to return to Ft. Niagara.

 

 

 

 

The Cashelmara condos in Bay Village (former Bay View Hospital)

 

One and Two Bratenahl Place?

 

 

 

 

Residences along Avalon and Beachcliff Drives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only one snapshot of the Yacht Club before the gatehouse guard started coming my direction:  :-(

 

Great job!

Thanks!

A beautiful city!

 

The Pub... bleh. At least the building looks nice.

"Welcome to Rocky River (or, for the pretentious, simply “River”)"

 

It's not being pretentious, it's conserving oxygen! ;-)

 

Great photos - I think if I had to live in the burbs, Rocky River would be high on the list, specifically the area north of 90 and east of Bradstreets Landing. Outside of that, it may as well be Fairview Park. :-\

The Pub looks awesome!

nice photos.....eehh to "river" :roll:

River Rats

nice job on rr except....no bearden's?  :?

 

  http://www.beardens-cleveland.com/ 

 

 

nice job on rr except....no bearden's? :?

 

I had a craving for Bearden's but they were closed on Sunday. :(