OH-CLEVELAND-IRISH-L Archives

From: "Jack R. Braverman" <>
Subject: The Projects & Angle
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 14:17:06 -0500

Marlene N. Royalton. () wrote a few days ago:

>Thank you also for the photos. As I lived in the projects right north of
>these it was nice to see them again. Does anyone remember the projects
when
>they were new and clean and not destroyed? I spent many a happy year
having
>lots of friends and fun there. Sorry to see the place being so badly
>destroyed. God Bless you all and have a very Happy Holiday Season.

She also wrote a few weeks ago:

> When I was about 5 my father was in City hospital with TB. Mom
>being on aid for dependent children moved with my 2 sisters and I to the
>Lakeview Terrace projects down past Washington St. They ran all the way to

>the railroad tracks. We lived there until I was about to enter High
School.
>Do you remember the carnivals that St. Malachi's had on the tri-corner
across
>the street from them. We used to be able to go there with a few pennies
and
>have a wonderful time, even without parents to watch us. How times have
>changed. We even had a Community Center there and had dances on the
weekends
>and craft classes. What good times. Those were. My Gr. Grandparents were
>Irish, Their names were Bridget Walsh and William Kirk. They attended St.
>Joe's but my Aunt and Grandmother attended St. Malachi's. I remember
attended
>First Communions of cousins etc. Have a good day.

Marlene, N. Royalton

(Whether her surname is Royalton, or her neighborhood, I know not.)

* * * * *

To which I asnwer, as follows....

During The War (that's WWII, 1941-45, for you youngsters), my mother would
drag me down to see her sister and niece who were then living in "the
projects," as Lakeview Terrace was commonly called. I remember how well
built they were; the floors were all solid concrete. (Just a few years ago
an identical design was thought too costly to tear down, so the public
housing in Tremount/W. 14th. was rennovated instead.) Each apartment had a
modest kitchen, a comfortable living room, a smallish bedroom, and a bath.
It was more than enough room for those who had survived the Depression with
a frugal mindset, or for those who were not really benefitting from the
overtime in the Cuyahoga Valley's "war plants."

I recall a wonderful proch from which one could look out across the entire
lake front. (A contemporary yuppy/Gen. Xer would pay dearly for something
like it.)

At 10:30 p.m., or so, we would leave and walk through the project's parking
lots, up the 25th St. hill, under the Shoreway overpass, and past the very
field which Marlete mentions in her note, above. And yes, I recall the
carnivals, but also revival tents. (It would be worth your life to have
more than a few folks on that ground now, what with increased traffic.)
We'd cross Detroit to the southwest corner and enter a building. It had a
strange entrance which still exists today: a column supports the
overhanging edge. On either side were the entrance ways. Just under the
overhand was a stairwell that led down to the underground "subway" platform
for the old Cleveland Transit System (CTS) streetcars. We'd wait for a
Public Square-bound Lorain, Madison, or Clark Ave. car. Mostly we were
alone, yet we were never frightened. Never, that is, until the streetcar
crossed over the river on the lower deck of the Detroit-Superior bridge.
I'd sit in the very rear in the U-shaped seat and look down between the
ties with fascinated terror.

The point is that we made this trip many times, were never molested,
robbed, or even annoyed. Times change, no?

As a postscript, I can add that I had dinner at Massimo de Milano
restaurant, which is immediately next to the stairs that lead to the
subway. (1400 W. 25th St., 440-887-9990; excellent polenta and sauce;
parking lot at left of building)

This was in the early 1990s. After dinner I noticed a door next to the bar.
It led into the hall where the stairs are located. I went out and down--as
far as the first landing where there was a gate. One the walls were
numerous pix of the old streetcars and the subway platform. Don't know
whether it is still accessible, or if the pix are still there. If you go,
take a flashlight. I looked all over, but couldn't find a light switch. It
becomes darker as you descend.

Ah, memories! Certainly one of God's more wonderful inventions, to be sure.

Regards and Season's Greetings to y'alls,

J.R.B.

This thread:

• The Projects & Angle by "Jack R. Braverman" <>