The Observation Deck

Bernie Sanders is doing an appearance in Youngstown Monday morning.
He is reportedly coming to the Cleveland area Monday afternoon to help the GOTV effort.
There is a strong effort to get him to stop in Lakewood....we'll keep you posted.

This begs a question: How many presidents have ever set foot in Lakewood? (either before, during, or after their term)
I'm aware of two:

*JFK stopped in at St. Edward in October 1962
*Bill Clinton appeared at a Hillary rally at Lakewood High School in 2008

Are there other examples?

WERE DOOMED ! TtHE OLD American Dream IS DEAD. THE NEW American DREAM IS about to commence. I am not a fan....

Abraham Lincoln.
Post-term though.

Mike,

In 1996 President Bill Clinton attended a fundraiser in his honor at what was then Slam Jams located at Clifton and W.117th (now CVS).
Lakewood businessman Tony George (no relation) hosted this event.
In 1962 my now 86 year old mother brought her Grant School first grade class to the corner of Elmwood and Detroit to view President Kennedy's Detroit Avenue motorcade.
Quite likely presidential kingmaker Mark Hanna had entertained President Wm. McKinley at Hanna's brother in law, Robert Rhodes', lakefront estate which is now Lakewood Park.
I can't confirm, but I can recall talk of then Gov. Ronald Reagan attending a fundraiser at the Clifton Club, where I delivered the Cleveland Press, in the early 60s. Maybe some long time Park residents have more info?

Thomas J. George wrote:Quite likely presidential kingmaker Mark Hanna had entertained President Wm. McKinley at Hanna's brother in law, Robert Rhodes', lakefront estate which is now Lakewood Park.
I can't confirm, but I can recall talk of then Gov. Ronald Reagan attending a fundraiser at the Clifton Club, where I delivered the Cleveland Press, in the early 60s. Maybe some long time Park residents have more info?

Thanks, Tom!

Those sound like plausible stories. It's interesting that Reagan had national ambitions are early as the early 60s.

Brian Essi wrote:Abraham Lincoln.
Post-term though.

This brings another historical question: When were the first railroad tracks laid in what is now Lakewood?

Then-House Minority Leader Gerald Ford headlined a GOP fundraiser in Lakewood in October 1969.

Michael Deneen wrote: *JFK stopped in at St. Edward in October 1962
*Bill Clinton appeared at a Hillary rally at Lakewood High School in 2008

Are there other examples?

Mike


I believe in the office I have a photo of JFK driving by Ramona and Clifton, and it was coming from something downtown.

I do not believe he stopped at St. Eds that trip. He cam down Clifton, south on West Clifton and Riverside to the airport. The photo was in the Cleveland Press.

I'll check the date on the photo.

.

Although he didn't make it, we had Mo Udall here in Lakewood in June of 1976 on Erie Cliff. He was a guest at a rally at the Bretz house (Charlie was my campaign Treasurer).
As Mo put it after the election "The voters spoke, dann them!"

Stan Austin-- proud candidate for delegate for Mo Udall

And, in 1988 Lakewood United Methodist Church welcomed the Rev. Jesse Jackson who preached a sermon. As a back story, Lakewood Methodist was the "home" church for Mayor Frank P. Celeste and his son, Governor Richard F. Celeste.
The connection was Jerry Austin, campaign manager for Jackson (as well as Dick Celeste)
Stan Austin (no direct relation to Jerry, he's my partial brother)