An official website of the Cuyahoga County government. Here’s how you know
Monuments
Monuments under the purview of the Monument Commission include any statuary, sculpture, fountain, garden, mural, nameplate, marker, park land, works of art, and other symbolic forms of public art erected to commemorate famous or notable persons, communities, or historic events. This is limited to monuments located on Cuyahoga County property, or monuments donated or loaned to Cuyahoga County.
Map
The map and list below outline the location of monuments identified by the Commission as part of an initial inventory conducted in 2022. Additional works of art continue to be evaluated for inclusion on this list.
View the Inventory of Monuments.
Monument Highlights
Jesse Owens Statue, Huntington Park
A full figure portrait of 4-time Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens captured in the moment that he crossed the finish line at the 1936 Berlin Games. The Ohio state alumnus' sculpture bears the name of "OHIO" on the front of his jersey. He celebrates with his hands in the air in front of him. His eyes are closed, taking in the monumental victory. His lead foot is set on the tip of a gold pyramid, and his back foot is raised in the air behind him.
Jesse Owens is one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century. Apart from winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games in Nazi Germany, he is also known for breaking three world records and tying one in the span of 45 minutes at a Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor in 1935. Part of Owens' legacy supersedes sports as well. He is known for having upset Hitler by completely destroying the narrative of Aryan supremacy by being a black man accomplishing historic feats of athleticism right in the capital of Nazi Germany. Unfortunately in his lifetime, he was faced with nearly insurmountable opposition despite his success, being snubbed by both FDR and Hitler after his Olympic victories.
Creator: William M. McVey
Creation Date: 1982
Source: William M. McVey, “Jesse Owens, Olympic Champion,” Ohio Outdoor Sculpture, accessed March 20, 2023, http://oos.sculpturecenter.org/items/show/368.
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument, Huntington Park
In the middle of Fort Huntington park, on the West end of downtown Cleveland, stands a monument to the great American naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry. The base of the monument steps up to a wide base level where two midshipmen lounge against sculpted gunwales. One of them salutes the Commodore, grandly standing above them. Perry himself is posed dynamically with his right hand on his sword. His body is carried upright, with a twist that fills his image with a moving energy. His left arm is slung across his chest, as if wound up and ready to deliver orders. His eyes are filled with youthful glee, a remembrance of his untimely passing.
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, "the Hero of lake Erie" was the gallant guardian of the Great Lakes when he fended off the British Navy in Lake Erie. His leadership also contributed to all nine victories in the campaign of Lake Erie. This campaign proved to be a turning point in the War of 1812. His brave victories are remembered all over the United States, especially in the biggest city on Lake Erie: Cleveland.
Creator: William Walcutt
Creation Date: 1860
Source: William Walcutt, “Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument,” Ohio Outdoor Sculpture, accessed March 20, 2023, http://oos.sculpturecenter.org/items/show/179.