top of page

Cleveland: Where the Spirit of Progress Lives

Originally the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, so-called for the two avenues it spans over the Cuyahoga River, the beloved roadway known as the Hope Memorial Bridge has claim to some of the coolest sights of the city, including Progressive Field. The bridge features the famous Guardians of Traffic, standing at 43 feet tall. Carved out of stone in art-deco style, each Guardian holds a different method of transportation in its hand, from the train to the automobile. In 1976, the bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. On September 1, 1983, after renovation, it was renamed the Hope Memorial Bridge, after Cleveland native Bob Hope, and his father, Harry Hope, a local stonemason. The bridge’s engineer said the Guardians “typify the spirit of progress in transportation.” As Cleveland continues to progress today, we are reminded that we all stand on the shoulders of giants, and under the watchful eye of the guardians.

Image by Laura Dewilde
Image by Jordan Whitfield
bottom of page