Cleveland Gray's History
Early Origins of an Architectural Landmark
Cleveland Grays Militia was organized in 1837 as the City Guard unit, and it
evolved through the years. The location of the first Grays Armory location was
reported to be on Center Street. Before
Cleveland built the City Armory on Long Street, the Grays briefly occupied a
vacant fire department engine house on Frankfort Street (that structure near
West 6th Street still stands).
The Cleveland Light Artillery, The First City Troop, and the Cleveland Gatling
Gun Company as well as some units of the Ohio National Guard can trace their
origins to the Grays. Some of these rival military groups shared occupancy with
the Grays at the City Armory or partook in joint encampments. When fire broke
out in the City Armory on December 8th, 1892. The
Grays resolved to execute the much-planned
construction of their own armory. On May 30th 1893 a 3-1/z ton Berea
sandstone foundation block was put in place by Colonel John Frazee. Inside this
cornerstone was placed a copper box containing mementos, medals, coins, current
newspapers, and a roster of the members.
A municipal castle ~ Cleveland's own citadel
The massive structure and commanding presence of the exterior design owes much
to the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival architectural style. The main portion of
the building is four stories high, and the most notable feature is the
five-story tower on the northeast corner of the building. The tower's 3' x 5'
foundation blocks, the main entrance corners, and the front window lintels are
all of solid rough-hewn sandstone. The main entry arch rests on atop polished
granite columns that rise from each cornerstone.
Poised above is a black wrought iron drop-gate, a gothic barrier between the
front steps and the colossal oak doors. Pointed iron rods bolted to the scarlet
brick walls make up window protectors on the first floor. The effect is a
splendid mix of color and texture in materials. An overall imposing design
effectively coveys that this is an urban fortress. And this was the intent: to
impress the authority of the government and power of the military upon the
citizenry
A Social Center and a Bastion of Cultural events
Grays Armory has been witness to a long tradition of patriotism and public
service. Originally built to house a weapons arsenal and provide a drill hall
for the militia, this edifice quickly evolved into a vital community center for
turn-of-the century Clevelanders. Apart from protecting the city during riots or
civil disturbances, the armory has been long known for hosting the city's
premiere social events. The Grays Armory earned repute as an exclusive venue
right from the beginning during the gala celebrations for
Cleveland's Centennial (1896). Grays Armory events went way beyond the customary
military balls and band concerts typical during that era. In its heyday the
Armory welcomed musical sensation, John Philip Sousa as well as a host of
regular vaudeville and minstrel shows. The drill hall stage was at one time the
largest in Cleveland, predating
Playhouse Square. The Armory stage was also once graced by regular performances
of the Metropolitan Opera. The first Cleveland Auto Show debuted here on Feb. 1,
1903. The Cleveland Orchestra presented its first concert on Dec.11, 1918 and
called the Armory its home before relocating to Severance Hall.
Today the Armory still hosts some of Cleveland's most exciting social events. It
is home to everything from Prom Dances to Boxing Matches. Three times a year,
organ recitals are given on a vintage Wurlitzer, taken from a Warner Bros. Movie
theatre slated for demolition in Erie, Pa. It is the largest pipe
organ of its kind in Northeast Ohio. Throughout the Armory are swords, guns, and
uniforms-a cannon even sits in the lobby! Youngsters and school children
routinely tour the building to learn about the Civil War. Additionally, the
Armory is available for private functions accommodating 10 to 1,000 people. Even
the pistol range can be rented to those who are qualified
The story of America's independent Militias
Modern Americans rest assured in the technical superiority and professionalism
of their armed forces. Surprisingly, it was just a few generations ago when
military training and readiness was very much a civic activity that garnered a
substantial local following. Throughout its history, the United States has
largely avoided 'conscription' or mandatory military service. Following the
Revolutionary War, each state was given constitutional and statute
responsibilities to provide for a "Common Militia" of trained volunteers ready
to serve in times of crisis or national emergency. In practice, the state
governments rarely had the means to provide any training or equipment for a
part-time army of volunteers. Necessity often fell upon local leaders, who
organized "Independent and Private Militia Companies." Across the large cities
of the young nation, leading citizens schooled themselves in the arts of war and
volunteered their personal fortunes to provide weapons, uniforms, and rations.
Private citizens undertook these measures to defend their republic.
Cleveland organizes its own company of volunteers
In the autumn of 1837 the domestic security weighed heavily on the minds of
prominent Clevelanders. The town had just been chartered a year before, and the
'city watch' volunteers witnessed a rising tide of crime as the regions
commercial importance and prosperity grew. To the North, British subjects in the
Dominion of Canada were embroiled in a sporadic armed revolt against the Crown.
The city fathers had vivid memories of the British fighting on American soil
(many had ancestors who fought in the War of 1812 or the
Revolution).
On September 18th, 1837 the
names of seventy-eight "City Guards" were ascribed on an active roster; their
organization included elected officers, a membership committee, a treasury, and
even a constitution.
These founding
militia provided for the every conceivable detail of military necessity. In
later years they would come to be known as the
Cleveland
Grays and the company adopted the motto,
"Semper Paratus"
(Always Prepared!)
A tradition of service in peace and in war
Happily war with Canada was averted... and fighting would not again visit the
shores of Lake Erie. Ohio remained peaceful and prosperous until the spring of
1861 when the Cleveland Grays
were among the first to answer President
Lincoln's call for troops. Wartime duty in the Civil War saw
Grays
fighting in battles from Bull Run to
Appomattox. Sadly, the Grays
honor guard was also called to escort
Lincoln's coffin on its way through Cleveland to the final destination in
Springfield, Illinois (many of the same
Grays
members had turned out four years earlier to
escort the President through town during his inaugural tour). After the Civil
War, the organization became a major civic association attracting both veterans
and prominent citizens. Many of its wealthy members counted on
The Grays Militia
to protect private property and maintain
public order during the intermitted but volatile labor strikes that took place
from the 1870s through the 1890s.
Answering the call against a foreign foe
At the turn of the century, the old militia system was giving way to modern
bureaucracy of military reserve training and readiness planning. During the
Spanish American War (1898), there were few independent militia companies to
fill the states' quotas for volunteer troops. Despite criticism that their
organization was elitist and obsolete, two hundred and twenty-five
Grays
officers and men were mustered into the Ohio
National Guard on May 30th as Companies A, B, and C-- 1st
Battalion of Engineers. Attached to the 10th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment these
Grays
men spent nine months in service training
stateside as Engineers; however, the Spanish surrendered before the unit could
be deployed to Cuba.
The
militia tradition in the modern era
The National Guard Act of
1903 and its future amendments would eventually spell the end of the old
militia companies like the Cleveland
Grays. Even if the independent
volunteer company was becoming a thing of the past, the
Grays
were determined to support the military as
private citizens by organizing a "Businessmen's Camp" (September 1915). The
intent was to indoctrinate professional men in the essentials of military
leadership (in many ways a precursor to the modern ROTC program). Their
preparation would come in handy in 1916 when the government called for
volunteers to meet the threat of Mexican bandit, Pancho Villa (whose repeated
raids against U.S. territory had resulted in violence and bloodshed). Some
Grays
members answered the call and were formed
into Company 'F' of the 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They patrolled along the
border near El Paso, Texas. The 3rd was a mounted unit using White trucks,
making them some of the first troops to use motorized transport instead of
horses. Soon their watchful eyes were to focus on troubles across the Atlantic.
The Cleveland Grays in battle for the last time
At the end of their Mexican campaign the men of Company 'F' would get only a
brief furlough. Having been redesignated as the 148th
Infantry (as of September 1917), they found themselves a short time later
preparing to sail for France as part of the American Expeditionary Force in
World War One.
Their unit saw extensive action during the
Meuse-Argonne Offensive,
attacking the town of Cierges, advancing to
the banks of the Escaut River, and carrying out its campaign through Belgium
until the Armistice brought hostilities to an end. Of the 78
Grays
who served in the original Company 'F' on
the Mexican Border and then in Europe, six were killed in action and 26 were
wounded. These gallant endeavors . would mark the last time the
Grays
would go into battle as an organized unit.
Though striped of official military status nearly two decades earlier, this
company of 'obsolete' militia managed to carry themselves forward into the
trenches of France and Belgium.
Their military tradition survived by
virtue of an honorable record of past service and a selfless dedication to civic
duty. Such was the exemplary commitment exhibited by the company's leaders and
the patriotic citizens who volunteered.
A sacred heritage that must not be forgotten
Today the Cleveland Grays exist
primarily as a social group with strong philanthropic and educational interests.
The Grays membership the still
includes elected officers, sergeants, bottlewashers, and trustees. The
organization's primary mission is to preserve the magnificent Armory Building
located at 1234 Bolivar Road in order to one day establish a fully operational
museum on the premises. The Armory still hosts a variety of public events, and
the Grays provide a variety of
community education programs. As part of National History Day, The Grays
award an annual prize for research and scholarship on military topics.
Today's
Grays members share a variety of interests: a
tradition of service in the armed forces, an interest in military history, an
appreciation of local architectural landmarks, and above all, a commitment to
patriotism and community service. The Grays
honor the tradition of our nations
citizen-soldiers and hope to instill a sense of duty and public service in
future generations.
