Tremont, located just south of downtown Cleveland, is one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in the city. The area is centered around Lincoln Park, a large parkland lined with historic churches, trendy restaurants, and restored Victorian homes.
Once the site of the short-lived University of Cleveland, the streets still reflect the past with names like “Literary,” “Professor,” and “University.”
Tremont history
The neighborhood that would become Tremont was first incorporated in 1836 as part of the prosperous city of Ohio. It was later annexed by Cleveland in 1867.
The construction of a bridge connecting Tremont and the city center in the late 1800s brought an influx of new residents, mostly immigrants from Eastern Europe to the area. Its influence can be seen in the varied churches around Lincoln Park and in the architecture of the neighborhood.
Tremont demographics
As of the 2010 census, Tremont was home to 6,912 residents, considerably fewer than the 36,000 who lived there during the neighborhood’s heyday in the 1920s (and 15 percent fewer than the 2000 census). There are approximately 4,600 housing units in Tremont, the majority of which are single and two-family homes. Property values vary widely, with about half valued at less than $ 100,000 and half above.
Shopping in Tremont
Tremont abounds with art galleries and artist studios, most of which are located along Professor and Kenilworth avenues. Among the best of these are:
- Asterisk
- Environment gallery
- banyan tree
- Brandt Gallery
- Eikona Gallery
- Inside Outside Gallery
- Pavanna Gallery
Tremont Restaurants
Tremont is known for its many and varied restaurants. Among the highlights are:
- Parallax – This sophisticated restaurant on W. 11th serves excellent sushi and contemporary American cuisine.
- Fahrenheit – In Literary, this is one of the most popular restaurants in the area (and indeed the city).
- Sokolowski’s University Inn – Open for lunch and dinner on Fridays, this authentic Polish restaurant is a neighborhood favorite.
Tremont Parks
The heart of Tremont is Lincoln Park, bounded by W. 11th St and Starkweather. The park, named after President Lincoln brought Union troops to the area during the Civil War, was originally part of the short-lived University of Cleveland.
Today, Lincoln Park is home to the neighborhood swimming pool, a generous number of park benches, and a picturesque gazebo. It is also the site of free monthly summer concerts, held on the second Friday of each month.
Tremont Churches
Tremont has the highest concentration of historic churches of any neighborhood in America. Many of these buildings reflect the ethnic culture of the area’s immigrants from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Particularly notable are:
- Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption – Located on W. 14th St. and built in 1912.
- St. Augustine Catholic Church: Opened in 1870, this church on W. 14th is an excellent example of Victorian architecture.
- Russian Orthodox Church of St. Theodosius: Built in 1911, this church is characterized by its distinctive onion-shaped domes.
- Iglesia de Cristo Zión Unida: Built in 1885, this church stands out for its 175-foot steeple and community outreach program.
- St. John Cantius: Built in 1925, this Catholic church is the heart of the Polish community in the area.
Events in Tremont
Tremont hosts a number of events throughout the year. Particularly valuable are the monthly art walks, which take place on the second Friday of each month. Other highlights include the ‘Taste of Tremont’ festival, held every July, and the Tremont Arts and Culture Festival, held every September. Churches also host interesting events, such as the Greek Assumption Church Festival, held every Memorial Day weekend, and the Polish St. John Cantio Festival, held every Labor Day weekend. .
Trivia de Tremont
- Tremont is named after Tremont Elementary School, which opened in 1910. Before that, the neighborhood was called “University Heights” and “Lincoln Heights.”
- Scenes from the classic ’70s movie The Deer Hunter , with Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep, were filmed at Tremont’s Lemko Hall and St. Theodosius’ Russian Orthodox Church.
