Finding aid for the West Side Market Photographs


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: West Side Market
Title: West Side Market Photographs
Dates: 1907-1911
Extent: 0.20 linear feet (1 container)
Abstract: The collection consists of views of the Cleveland, Ohio, market house, located at West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue, during and immediately after its construction. The photographs depict all stages of construction and some of the architectural details. Most of the photographs were made for the Hubbell and Benes Company, architects of the West Side Market.
PG Number PG 235
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

History of the West Side Market

Historical sketch courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

The West Side Market, the oldest publicly owned market in Cleveland, Ohio, began in 1840 when Josiah Barber and Richard Lord gave Ohio City, Ohio, a tract of land at the corner of Pearl (West 25th) and Lorain streets with the stipulation that it always be kept as a public market site. Additional gifts of land enabled the marketplace to expand, and in 1868 the wooden, 1-story Pearl Street Market was erected on the site. As the city's population increased, the markethouse became inadequate. In 1902 the city purchased a site for a new market across the street from the old one. A new $680,000 markethouse designed by the firm of Hubbell and Benes was dedicated in 1912--a massive yellow-brick building with an interior concourse providing room for 100 stalls, an outdoor arcade with 85 stands, and a large clock tower.

The West Side Market Tenant's Association, formed in 1915, was instrumental in implementing markethouse improvements, including a $1.1 million modernization program in 1953 and a $5 million renovation project in the late 1970s. The historical and architectural significance of the building was recognized when it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. The market was always a favorite stopping place for political campaigners, and during the 1980s its annual food festivals were a popular event. In 1988 budgetary concerns forced the city to reduce its subsidy to the market and the tenants' rents were raised to pay for the upkeep. In the early 1990s, numerous maintenance projects, upkeep, and repairs were begun to improve the facilities, including a $97,000 effort in 1992 aimed at correcting violations of building and sanitary codes. In 1995 the West Side Market continued to be an attractive spot for both local and out-of-town shoppers.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the West Side Market


Scope and Content

The West Side Market Photographs, ca. 1907-1911, consist of views of the Cleveland, Ohio market house, located at West 25 Street and Lorain Avenue, during and immediately after its construction. The photographs depict all stages of construction and some of the architectural details. Most of the photographs were made for the Hubbell and Benes Company, architects of the West Side Market. The collection includes 73 black and white photographs that measure 8 x 10 inches and smaller.


Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Related Material

Additional views of the West Side Market are available in the WRHS Cleveland Picture File and the WRHS Oversize Cleveland Picture File.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Hubbell & Benes Co. -- Photograph collections.
Markets -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.
West Side Market (Cleveland, Ohio) -- Photograph collections.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 235 West Side Market Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Removed from the Hubbell and Benes Company Records in 1977.

Detailed Description of The Collection

West Side Market Photographs 1907-1911

Box Folder
1 1-4 Construction and architectural details 1907
1 5-11 Construction and architectural details 1908
1 12-21 Construction and architectural details 1909
1 22-26 Construction and architectural details 1910
1 27-28 Interior and exterior views 1911