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| History of Overlook |
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Street Names Euclid Avenue Baedekers' travel guide once called Cleveland's Euclid Avenue one of the most beautiful streets in America. While "grand avenues" were not a new concept to Victorian America, Cleveland's Euclid Avenue was special. From the 1850's until World War I many considered it to be the most beautiful street in the world. Beginning at Cleveland's Public Square, the Euclid Avenue of the millionaire's row era ran east towards University Circle, which is just beyond 107th Street. In its heyday, Euclid Avenue rivaled that of New York's famed Fifth Avenue in wealth, prominence and and political power. The Avenue also matched Fifth Avenue in assessed real estate value as well. The rise of Euclid Avenue's might and architectural splendor evolved over 60 odd years. Its decline was put in motion less then fifteen years and by 1960, almost all of the mansions that once graced the Avenue were gone, or allowed to disintegrate beyond repair. As the Avenue thrived, so did the city of Cleveland; When the city permitted and abetted the decline of the Avenue, so did Cleveland's fortunes. Today most of this once grand "Avenue" is an ugly 4 mile long reminder of the worst in urban decay and neglect.
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