West Park Historical Society

Mail Correspondence Address:

P.O. Box 35454

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Below is news of our past and upcoming events.
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On April 16. 2026, the West Park Historical Society presented “Otto Moser’s Neighborhood- The Intersection of Cleveland and Vaudeville” by Chris Roy.

Chris spent a decade volunteering in Cleveland State University’s special collections department, where local history information is maintained.

He was there when a temporary donation came in from the last owner of Otto Moser’s. It was all 650-plus photos that hung for a century or more in either the pub’s East 4th street or Playhouse Square locations.

Chris took us on a fascinating journey of the scores of vaudeville venues that centralized along East 4th. Street and Otto Moser’s famous restaurant was in the heart of it all! (Later Otto Moser moved his restaurant to Playhouse Square)

The famous acts (Fanny Brice, W.C. Fields), the jugglers (Joe Cook), song and dance (Rose Marie,) comedians, (Buster Crabbe) and the oddities (contortionists, The Cherry Sisters, regurgitators)

Afterwards attendees were treated to old- fashioned Root Beer Floats prepared by our secretary Elaine Staley.

The evening opened with a beautiful rendition of Mary Beth Ions, a professional violinist from West Park, playing “Sweetheart Will You Love Me Then,” words and music composed by Richard Bagger, a West Park Resident, in 1906.

West Park Historical Society members enjoyed an evening of music, frolic, and treats set in the historic Sherman House

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West Park Historical Society

The 2026 West Park Historical Calendar is here! Our first all color calendar! Just $15.00 ($13.00 for WPHS members) They are available at Puritas Nursery, Puritas Hardware, Gene’s Place, and K & K Portage Meat Market You may also order by emailing etstaley@sbcglobal.net Our calendar sale is one of our largest fundraisers. By purchasing a calendar, you further our mission of preserving West Park history

On November 20, 2025, our society held a “Members Only” West Park Then and Now slide show event at the Sherman House. A spirited discussion of audience members reminisced about places shown in the photos. Of over 50 slides presented, here are a few: Photos courtesy of Gary Swilik and Steve Lorenz

Looking North at the intersection of West 140th and Lorain Avenue, 1958. Cy Mack Oldsmobile used cars on the left, Texaco gas station on the right, West Park Trailer Sales behind Texaco. West 140th is two-lanes and the railroad bridge has not yet been built. Bottom photo: 2025

Looking West on Lorain Avenue at the intersection of West 117th Street, 1937.Bottom Photo: 2025

Intersection of Triskett Road and Lorain Avenue, looking east 1971. Originally a branch of the Peral Street Savings and Trust company, became Poschke’s Barbeque No. 2 in 1939. Jerry’s Restaurant in the 1950s, Appliance Mart in the 1960s, BP gas station in the 1970s. Car Lot of Ganley Chevy in the second photo, Third photo, 2025.

Our Annual Alger Cemetery Walk was another success!

West Park Historical Society Historian and Vice-President Ross Bassett tells interesting and informative stories of West Park notables. Here he is pictured with President Steve Lorenz and Steve’s wife, Cindy. Always a good crowd at the cemetery walks