cleveland flag
about flag 03
Public Square is a 10-acre park in the heart of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of Cleveland's oldest features. The Connecticut Land Company included Public Square in the city's original plan, overseen by city founder Moses Cleaveland in 1796.
On April 29, 1879, Public Square became the first outdoor space in the United States to be lit by electric light. By 1881, the lights, designed by Cleveland native Charles Brush, illuminated New York, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and, of course, Cleveland.
At Public Square's southwest corner rises the Terminal Tower, Cleveland's iconic skyscraper. Completed in 1927, it was the second tallest building in the world. It remained the tallest building in North America outside of New York City until 1964.
Public Square is of great historical, social, political and geographic significance to Cleveland. It is often the site of political and civic events. On April 29, 1879, Public Square became the first outdoor space in the United States to be lit by electric light. The lights were designed and built by Cleveland native and inventor Charles Brush. Cleveland's east and west sides converge at Public Square. From this epicenter, the city radiates outward. In 2016, the park was redesigned to be more pedestrian friendly.
The square at the flag's center represents Public Square. It is red because it is at the heart of city. The white lines represent Superior Avenue and Ontario Street, which intersect Public Square. From the square, the white lines radiate outward, representing 227 years of growth from the city center. The motif represents a compass, a reference to the city's frontier beginnings and maritime history.
The blue field represents Lake Erie to the north of the city and its important role in developing Cleveland's economy. Its also represents the pride Clevelanders have in their city. The red field is for Cleveland's innovation and its vibrant future. White represents community and hope.
The three stars in the blue field represent Cleveland's natural resources: Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River and the region's parks. The three stars in the red fields are for Cleveland's downtown, east and west sides. Together, the six stars represent the six strings and six tuning pegs on a guitar, recognizing Cleveland as the home of rock and roll.
Scroll down for the flag’s alternate color scheme. See how this new Cleveland flag compares to other Ohio city flags.
alternate colors
This is an alternate version of the red, white and blue Cleveland flag design celebrating Public Square and downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
The flag's core symbolism remains the same: Public Square, navigational compass, city expansion and the region's natural resources. In this version, however, the colors, are different and bring new meaning to the flag.
The gold field represents the city's innovation and energy. This is the forward-looking field. Cleveland isn't the city it once was. There are exciting new things happening in Cleveland--in the arts, entertainment, food, culture, industry, technology and healthcare.
The charcoal grey field represents steel and stone. This field pays tribute to the city's past. Cleveland is a former steel town. While the city still produces steel, it is does not produce steel in the quantities it did post World War II. As for stone, Cleveland has some of the finest architecture in the country, if not around the world. Search Google for images of Severance Hall, the Arcade, the Cleveland Trust rotunda, the Terminal Tower and the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
The grey is a tribute to Cleveland's foundations, the gold to its future. One color looks back to where we have been, the other, forward, to where we are going.
White represents Cleveland's community. The three stars in the gold field represent Cleveland's natural resources: Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River and the region's MetroParks. The three stars in the grey field are for Cleveland's downtown, east side and west side. Together, the six stars represent the six strings and six tuning pegs on a guitar, recognizing Cleveland as the home of rock and roll.
