Historic Franklin Boulevard - Take a Hike Fall Series

Franklin Boulevard in Ohio City was once known as the Millionaires’ Row of the west side particularly known for its grand mansions.
About this Event

TAKE A HIKE® offers FREE in-person, guided walking tours of unique and historic neighborhoods in Cleveland from May through December.

The tour meets on Thursdays in October at 2706 Franklin Blvd (ACROSS FROM LUTHERN HOSPITAL CLEVELAND CLINIC / W28th & FRANKLIN BLVD.) Please arrive 15 minutes early as the tour starts promptly.

About the Tour: Step back in time as you explore Franklin Boulevard in Ohio City. Once known as the Millionaires’ Row of the west side, this grand avenue was lined with mansions built by some of Cleveland’s most prominent families. Over the years, it has witnessed dramatic change—periods of prosperity, decline, and revitalization. Today, Franklin Boulevard is part of a designated historic district, celebrated for its architectural variety and strong neighborhood commitment to preservation. This tour reveals the rich layers of history embedded in one of Cleveland’s most storied corridors.

Along the way, we’ll expand on standout architecture, like the bold Cudell and Richardson design of Franklin Circle Christian Church and the beautifully restored Nelson Sanford Italianate mansion. We’ll hear about early visionaries and developers—Josiah Barber and brothers Samuel and Richard Lord—who helped shape the neighborhood’s early growth. And we’ll take time to appreciate Franklin Circle itself, one of Cleveland’s few radial street designs and a defining feature of the city’s early urban plan.

RESERVATIONS are requested but not required, walk-ups the day of tour are welcomed. You will complete a quick waiver at check‑in before joining the tour. If you have a group larger than 8 people, please email takeahike@historicgateway in advance to reserve your tickets.

TAKE A HIKE® is a program of Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation made possible with generous support from Ohio & Erie Canalway and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Learn more at takeahikecle.com

Please consider making a donation. - TAKE A HIKE® tours are free, and your support helps keep the program thriving.