In regards: Louis Moses Park

The story of Nottingham Village may end as a Village eaten by a city, but a light-rail transportation oriented development (TOD) integrated with railroad museums in Collinwood and Nottingham could be a new chapter.

A vibrant village and stronger neighborhood will make the city better. That is one of those answers up on the shelf gathering dust; Ohio City and the Warehouse district are example of history coming to life in Cleveland.

I believe there should be a park in honor of Louis Moses at St. Clair and Nottingham Road tied to a Main Street TOD.

Mr. Moses, the son of Mary Dille and Augustus Moses (a real estate pioneer), was one of the most successful and respected developers in Nottingham Village up through 1917. The City owns land along Euclid Creek and could use the initiative to help with phase III storm water control.

In 1912, Louis Moses served as the secretary for the Cuyahoga Park Board; among the first of four community leaders appointed. He was instrumental in the formal creation of the park system and specifically in the protection of the Euclid Creek Reservation, which he envisioned as much larger.

In 1917, Louis Moses bought stock in the Land Title Abstract and Trust company. By 1918, he was a member of the board; in 1919, he was president. In 1932, the name was changed to the Land Title Guarantee and Trust Company and it was the largest title insurance company in Ohio. Louis Moses would remain president until his death in 1952.

In 1917, with the passage of the Park District Act and creation of the Cleveland Metro parks Mr. Moses was one of the first three appointed to the board. Through 1928, he served as the Vice President of the board and was elected president in 1929; leaving in 1930 due to business pressures during the great depression. He later served again as Vice President from 1937 through 1939.

"It does not fall to the lot of many men to be present at the birth of an idea, to nurture that idea, and over many years to protect it and to guide it and give intelligent direction to its growth. Not many reap the satisfactions which come to one who realizes that he, thru sacrifices of time and effort, has made contributions which have made his community a better place for all citizens to live in. Such must have been the satisfaction which came to Louis A. Moses as viewed the progressive development of Cleveland Metropolitan Park System." 1

"Whereas, it was the good fortune of the community that in addition to his business acumen and the development of his own interests he was able to devote so much of his time to building up the great Metropolitan Park System. His expert knowledge of land values was of immeasurable benefit in laying out that park system. In his careful concern with the city’s needs he helped materially to build the network of parks into one of the country’s finest. The park system was only a portion of his interest, for he identified himself with all worthy movements that would advance this city towards its commercial and cultural objectives. Builders of vision such as Mr. Moses are too rare. His dedication has left in the Metropolitan Park System a lasting memorial." 2

Historical Preservation can be the vital tool to help this neighborhood of Cleveland. Nottingham’s future is connected with both North and South Collinwood as city planners currently divide the neighborhood. The division is a practical matter due to the freeway dividing the neighborhood and the key issue a TOD could address by creating a new focal point.

To the west is the historic five-point’s commercial district and to the east is the old world section of East 185th. Connecting the history and the historic neighborhoods offers a wealth of opportunity; all that is required is more research, desire and the will of the community.

1 Cleveland Metropolitan Park District, Cleveland Ohio. Resolution 2787 passed at the news of Louis Moses’ death in 1952.
2 Cleveland City Council, Resolution No. 668-52; April 9, 1952