West Park in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The West Park African American Community
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 21, 2019
1. The West Park African American Community Marker
Inscription.
The West Park African American community began in 1809 with the first black settler and one of the earliest residents of the area, inventor and farmer George Peake. With the growth of the railroad industry, African Americans were encouraged to move into the area to work at the New York Central Round House and Train Station located in Linndale. First among these, in 1912, were Beary Frierson and Henry Sharp. As more and more African Americans came, African American institutions followed. In 1919, Reverend Thomas Evans and the families of Herndon Anderson and Joseph Williams founded St. Paul A.M.E. Church, the first black congregation on Cleveland’s West Side. Reverend D. R. Shaw, the Ebb Strowder family and Iler Burrow established the Second Calvary Baptist Church in 1923. Both became pillars of the community.
The West Park African American community began in 1809 with the
first black settler and one of the earliest residents of the area, inventor
and farmer George Peake. With the growth of the railroad industry,
African Americans were encouraged to move into the area to work at
the New York Central Round House and Train Station located in Linndale.
First among these, in 1912, were Beary Frierson and Henry Sharp.
As more and more African Americans came, African American institutions
followed. In 1919, Reverend Thomas Evans and the families of Herndon
Anderson and Joseph Williams founded St. Paul A.M.E. Church, the first
black congregation on Cleveland’s West Side. Reverend D. R. Shaw,
the Ebb Strowder family and Iler Burrow established the Second Calvary
Baptist Church in 1923. Both became pillars of the community.
Erected 2003 by the Westown Community Development Corporation, West Park Community Coalition Inc., and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 71-18.)
41° 26.573′ N, 81° 46.532′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in West Park. Marker is on Guardian Boulevard east of West 130th Street, on the left when traveling east. It is in Brookfield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12517 Guardian Blvd, Cleveland OH 44135, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The West Park African American Community Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
