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The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

MALL - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

The MALL and the 7 public buildings surrounding it were constructed following the Group Plan of 1903, which probably constitutes the earliest and most complete civic-center plan for a major city outside of Washington, DC. Since federal, county, and municipal governments were all planning to build large new structures, a Group Plan Commission was created in 1902 as a result of bills prepared by the American Institute of Architects and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and passed by the legislature. The members were Daniel Burnham, Arnold Brunner, and John Carrere. The Group Plan Report of 1903 recommended the 500' wide central mall and the placement of the major buildings. The need for uniformity of style and building height was stated as the lesson of the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893. The Roman style was recommended, meaning the Beaux-Arts version of ancient classicism. The report was supported by Progressive mayor TOM L. JOHNSON†, and the significance of the conception was recognized by laudatory articles appearing in national journals.


Bird's-eye view of the 1903 Group Plan by Daniel Burnham. WRHS.


The previously planned Federal Bldg. was completed in 1910, followed by the CUYAHOGA COUNTY COURTHOUSE (1911), the CLEVELAND CITY HALL (1916), the PUBLIC AUDITORIUM (1922), the main Public Library (1925), the Board of Education administration building (1930), and the Cuyahoga County Administration Bldg. (1957). At the south end, the WAR MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN with a tall symbolic bronze statue by Marshall Fredericks was completed in 1964. In the early 1960s, the entire north mall was excavated to create a vast underground convention center connected to the Public Auditorium, and the Hanna fountains were installed on the surface, flanked with trees and plantings. In connection with the SOCIETY CENTER complex opened in 1991, a parking garage was created under the War Memorial plaza.

Last Modified: 27 Mar 1998 10:44:43 AM

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