City history
Explore the historical evolution of Cleveland, from its 18th-century founding to its rise as a massive industrial and cultural powerhouse.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named after Moses Cleaveland"
The city was founded in 1796 by the Connecticut Land Company. The settlement was named in honor of Moses Cleaveland, the surveyor who led the expedition into the Western Reserve.
Founder's surname
The city's founder, Moses Cleaveland, spelled his name with an 'a' at the end.
Simplified spelling
The spelling was eventually standardized to Cleveland, dropping the trailing 'a'.
Chapter two
With the expansion of railroads, Cleveland transitioned from local solar time to the standardized Eastern Time zone to coordinate schedules across the growing rail network.
The United States first implemented daylight saving time during World War I, a practice that would eventually become a standard seasonal occurrence in the city.
Chapter three
Moses Cleaveland and the Connecticut Land Company established the settlement on the shores of Lake Erie, marking the beginning of the city's history.
The completion of this canal connected the Great Lakes to the Ohio River, transforming Cleveland into a vital commercial and transportation hub.
The institution, now part of Case Western Reserve University, contributed to the city's scientific and technological growth.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority was formed to coordinate public transportation throughout the metropolitan area.