Cleveland, Ohio a city divided by a river.
The Cuyahoga River is a large river that begins at Lake Erie and winds through the Cleveland metropolitan area like a snake. The Iroquois Indians called this winding water passage “Cuyahoga” which means ‘crooked river’ the name stuck and today it is used to determine if you live on the “East Side” or “West Side” of Cleveland.
The Cuyahoga River seperates the city of Cleveland into an “East” and “West” side of town.
If you are familiar with this region then it’s undoubtedly true that you are either an Eastsider or Westsider. However, i doubt many people pay much attention that it is place on the river and not proximity to Downtown Cleveland which determined your affiliation.
I never really considered this river as a sign of wayfinding around Cleveland, but as a transplant to Charlotte, North Carolina who frequently runs into other displaced Clevelanders it is becoming a symbol of relatable experiences with other transplants.
Slyman’s Deli is an East Side Cleveland institution.
I grew up on the East side of Cleveland, when I make it back home to visit family and friends I have special places I must visit from my childhood. I always stop in at Slyman’s Deli for a corned beef sandwich, University Circle to take in some culture, Little Italy for a slice of pizza, and Coventry for a taste of urban night life.
The Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle.
Case Western Reserve University’s (CWRU) Peter B. Lewis building is a popular destination for visitors of the University Circle area east of Cleveland.
When meeting another displaced Clevelander, the first thing that on my mind is “are they an Eastsider or Westsider. Once this is established I tend to know how to respond to their questions. If they are an Eastsider, the conversation typically becomes reminiscent of the things we enjoyed most about living there. I run down my favorite ‘to-do’ list, and they do the same. We compare and contrast our interpretations of memorable places and find comfort in knowing someone else from your ‘neck of the woods’. Identifying a relatable instance with someone from the East Side helps build trust with this person, and can lead to further discussion.
Little Italy during the Columbus Day Parade – 2011.
In contrast, if I meet a displaced Clevelander who is from the West Side, the conversation is typically broad in scope. It tends to skew more towards relatable Cleveland activities and not so much a location. Many times sports are discusses as it’s one of the most identifying parts of being a Clevelander. Sadly, most of the sports talk is on our cities sports curse commonly known as the Cleveland Curse. Unlike Charlotte, Cleveland is not a city of many transplants. Our passion for professional sports in this city dates back generations, many of us have memories of our first game.
The Cuyahoga River brings prideful competition between the two sides of the city. For over four decades the East-West All Star game is played. This is a high school football game played after the season is over and it is made up of the best players on each side of the river, it resembles the NFL Pro-Bowl, but for the City of Cleveland.
The West Side Cafe @ West Side Market is a popular destination for Clevelanders who live West of the Cuyahoga River.
Living in Cleveland, one doesn’t take into consideration the geological divide that the Cuyahoga River places on it’s residents. It is not a divide of hatred, but one of pride. The Cuyahoga River symbolizes more than your memories, it also helps determine your proximity to a city landmark, and what you do when you come home to visit.
The West Side Market is an iconic public market on the West Side of Cleveland. It is routine for “Westsiders” to do their grocery shopping here.
The mapping of the city into an East and West district has a ranging effect on residents of the city. The Cuyahoga River effects daily routines, the private school you might send your child to, and the friends you make. It is a geological symbol that helps identify your place in the the City of Cleveland (System).
This East Side Cleveland map shows many popular destinations for residents – (UH is University Hospital, near University Circle)
Master Space Talk 