Cleveland's Colorful Characters tells many interesting and unknown stories about Cleveland and some of its more interesting citizens. Many of these citizens helped create some of Cleveland's and the country's finest institutions. Unfortunately, many of these stories are unknown to those living in the Cleveland area, and even fewer outside the area. With insights on how Clevelanders were the basis for the book, The Great Gatsby, having the first municipal airport in the country, the first automobile capital in the country, real life ghost stories, or a few previously unreported differences between men and women, there is something for everyone in this book. Especially for those with an interest in learning something new and different.If you're an automobile enthusiast, you'll enjoy the last 3 chapters as they detail over 125 automobile manufacturers in Cleveland. There is even a listing of everyone who owned a vehicle in 1904 in Cleveland.
"Cleveland's Colorful Characters" is an easy to read, insightful book on some of Cleveland's most influential individuals. These individuals helped create the grand and unique city which at one time was one of the most respected cities in the word. The first chapter is on the Mather family and how they helped create many of Cleveland's world class institutions. On a lighter side they were the first documented individuals to throw a 'toga party'.The 2nd chapter provides insights into the Van Sweringens who built many of Cleveland's finest homes and buildings as well as being the largest railroad owners in the country. Through the author's research he was able to determine they were the bases for the book, The Great Gatsby.The 3rd chapter concerns Jim Backus who was the creator of Mr. Magoo as well as the millionaire on Gilligan's Island. He attended University school and great up in Bratenahl. Local lore states Mr. Magoo was based on a University School teacher.The other chapters inform readers on Charles Schweinfurth, aka "Cleveland's Castle Creator", a brief insight into Camp Cleveland a 20,000 person Civil War camp in University Heights, unusual ghost stories and the last three chapters are dedicated to Cleveland's automotive history. This is when Cleveland was the car capital of the country, if not the world.Much of the intriguing information in this fact-packed book is new information which the author derived from his in-depth research and conversations with family descendants of those depicted in the book.