Cleveland was created by a diverse mixture of ethnic groups. It's one of the things that gives the city its interesting character, not to mention the array of ethnic foods, neighborhoods, and customs. Here's a look at the major groups that have contributed to making Cleveland what it is today.
The Koreans
(© 2006 S. Mitchell)
Cleveland's small number of Korean immigrants began arriving in NE Ohio at the end of the Korean Conflict in 1953. A larger number of Koreans arrived gradually during the 1970s and 1980s. These new arrivals were primarily students, physicians, and engineers.
Since Cleveland's Korean immigrants arrived gradually, they settled all over the city, rather than in one central neighborhood. Korean culture is visible in the six Korean-American churches in the city, including St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church (pictured at left) in Tremont. There are also a few Korean restaurants in town, such as the Korea House on Superior and E. 37th St., and via the Korean-American Association of Greater Cleveland.
Read more about Cleveland's Korean heritage.
Since Cleveland's Korean immigrants arrived gradually, they settled all over the city, rather than in one central neighborhood. Korean culture is visible in the six Korean-American churches in the city, including St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church (pictured at left) in Tremont. There are also a few Korean restaurants in town, such as the Korea House on Superior and E. 37th St., and via the Korean-American Association of Greater Cleveland.
Read more about Cleveland's Korean heritage.
The Croatians
Croatia is a southern Slavic region of Europe, a tumultuous region, especially in the 20th century. According to the 1990 census, Cleveland had the fourth largest Croatian community in the US. These immigrants began arriving in the 1860s, settling with the Slovenes around St. Clair Ave., from E 9th to E 79th Streets. Most of the early Croatian immigrants were unskilled workers, who found jobs in the steel mills and machine shops.A later wave of mostly young, highly educated professional Croatians arrived after WWII, fleeing the communist rule of Yugoslavia.
Today, Croatian culture is visible at the newly built Croatian National Home in Eastlake and churches, such as St. Nicholas, on Superior Ave.
Read more about Cleveland's Croatian heritage.
The Greeks
(© 2006 S. Mitchell)
Cleveland's Greek community is a relatively small, but very close-knit one. Immigrants from Greece began arriving in Cleveland in the 1880s, settling around Bolivar and Ontario Aves., in the area we call "Gateway" today.
Late arrivals, those in the early 20th century, settled in Tremont and founded the Church of the Annunciation (pictured at left), which still thrives today.
Many Greek immigrants became small business owners, opening coffeeshops, confectionaries, restaurants, and small groceries. A large percentage of these types of establishments are still owned by those of Greek descent.
Read more about Cleveland's Greek heritage.
Late arrivals, those in the early 20th century, settled in Tremont and founded the Church of the Annunciation (pictured at left), which still thrives today.
Many Greek immigrants became small business owners, opening coffeeshops, confectionaries, restaurants, and small groceries. A large percentage of these types of establishments are still owned by those of Greek descent.
Read more about Cleveland's Greek heritage.
The Lithuanians
(© Stu Spivack/cc license)
As with other Eastern European ethnic groups, the first wave of Lithuanian immigrants arrived in Northeast Ohio in the late 19th century, drawn by jobs in the manufacturing sector. These early arrivals settled around St. Clair Ave., from Rockwell to E 71th St. Their parish, St. George's Lithuanian Church at E 67th St. and Superior, was founded in 1895 and continues to thrive today.
A second wave of Lithuanian refugees arrived in Cleveland at the end of WWII as the Soviet Union annexed their homeland. These arrivals created a community around E 185th St.
Today, Lithuanian culture can be found at the annual E. 185th Street Festival and in the Lithuanian collection at Kent State University.
Read more about Cleveland's Lithuanian heritage.
A second wave of Lithuanian refugees arrived in Cleveland at the end of WWII as the Soviet Union annexed their homeland. These arrivals created a community around E 185th St.
Today, Lithuanian culture can be found at the annual E. 185th Street Festival and in the Lithuanian collection at Kent State University.
Read more about Cleveland's Lithuanian heritage.
The Puerto Ricans
Puerto Ricans make up the majority, about 85 percent, of Cleveland's Hispanic community. This group began arriving in the North Coast around 1945 to 1965, recruited to work in the area's factories and greenhouses. Early arrivals settled on Cleveland's east side, around Hough, Lexington, and Superior Aves.In the late 1950s, however, Cleveland's Puerto Rican community moved to the near west city, around W. 5th to W. 65th, between Detroit Rd. and Clark Ave. A large number of those of Puerto Rican descent still call this area home.
Today, Cleveland's Puerto Rican culture can be found in the many Hispanic food stores on the near west side and the Puerto Rican festival, held each August.
Read more about Cleveland's Puerto Rican heritgage.
The Vietnamese
(© Stu Spivack/cc license)
Cleveland's 2000+ Vietnamese residents began arriving in Northeast Ohio after the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the event that marked the reunification of Vietnam and the end of democratic South Vietnam. Most of these immigrants settled in the Detroit/Shoreway neighborhood, along Madison, Franklin, and Detroit Avenues.
Today, Cleveland's Vietnamese heritage can be seen at St. Stephen's Church on W. 54th St., at the annual Tet celebration in February, and in the many Vietnamese restaurants in the city, including #1 Pho (pictured at left).
Read more about Cleveland's Vietnamese heritage.
Today, Cleveland's Vietnamese heritage can be seen at St. Stephen's Church on W. 54th St., at the annual Tet celebration in February, and in the many Vietnamese restaurants in the city, including #1 Pho (pictured at left).
Read more about Cleveland's Vietnamese heritage.
The Arab-American Community
(© 2006 S. Mitchell)
Immigrants from the Middle East began arriving in Cleveland as early as 1895, most escaping the turmoil in the region that led up to WWI. Most of the early Arab settlers came from great Syria (a country that included today's Lebanon) and, unlike much of the Arab world, were Christians. These immigrants settled around Bolivar Avenue in downtown Cleveland and in Tremont..
A second wave of Arab immigrants arrived in Cleveland after the founding of Israel in 1948, mostly displaced Palestinians.
Today, the city's Arab heritage can be seen in the markets around the West Side Market and in the churches, especially St. Maron's on Carnegie and St. George Antiochian Orthodox Chruch in Tremont.
Read more about Cleveland's Arab-American community
A second wave of Arab immigrants arrived in Cleveland after the founding of Israel in 1948, mostly displaced Palestinians.
Today, the city's Arab heritage can be seen in the markets around the West Side Market and in the churches, especially St. Maron's on Carnegie and St. George Antiochian Orthodox Chruch in Tremont.
Read more about Cleveland's Arab-American community
