about Lorain Avenue

Ohio City was a separate municipality from Cleveland, with the Cuyahoga taking the role of the Danube for Buda and Pest. When the highways cut through neighbourhoods, and social discontent, economic shocks, and ethnographic change all hit to create an amalgam of decay in Cleveland, Ohio City was impacted heavily. In recent years there has been an element of gentrification, and rebuilding, alongside continued poverty.

Skipping past the food and beverage popularity on West 25th between Lorain and Bridge, the campus of St. Ignatius Jesuit High School has increased. A couple of Catholic charity endeavors operate on Lorain. A few artsy places exist because of low rent and slightly bohemian callings.

Beyond that, there are failing businesses and resale shops (euphemistically calling themselves antique stores), and institutional buildings on the street. Some demolition is occurring to produce expensive apartment living, and entertainment outlets (beer, squash, shuffleboard) for younger adults.

July 14, 2016

This building is abandoned and boarded up on the corner of West 44th & Lorain.

December 3, 2016
For a short time, this mural was painted on the 44th Street side.

December 11, 2019

The building owner had the mural painted over (as well as one on the opposite side facing a small parking lot, which had a rat riding a motorcycle, a part of the building sold motorcycle equipment). Since then a series of worthless graffiti has come (and gone), like dog piss on telephone poles.