The history of the Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railroad Depot

Sitting on the corner of Canal and Carter Roads in Cleveland, Ohio is a vacant building towered over by modern buildings. It was once a depot for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad built in 1898 and was in service until 1934 when the B&O moved passenger service into the Cleveland Union Terminal. Sherwin Williams purchased the building in 1975 and converted their old paint plant a short distance east of the depot into their Breen Technology Center. There have been multiple attempts to restore the building in the past but none have ever worked out. With Sherwin Williams now planning to move their technology center elsewhere, will the depot be demolished? Or will it hopefully be saved and restored or reutilized for other purposes?
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[@RailroadStreet]

Correction at 2:58: the article is from the Railway Agent Magazine. At 5:52: I mistakenly say passenger service on the CT&V ended in 1963, it was 1962.

[@Redshirt214]

Hello RR St! I’m working on a project on this building for my Historical Preservation class… is there any chance you could share your sources, especially the construction documents and architectural pictures you show in the video, with me? I’d like to know where you found them all… keep up the great local history content!

[@RailroadStreet]

@@Redshirt214 So sorry for just seeing your comment now, sounds like an interesting project! I most certainly can share my sources with you. The architectural drawings were from the June 30, 1897, CT&V annual report. Those payment vouchers from the depot's construction are a part of my personal collection. It was a part of a CT&V document lot being sold on eBay of all places believe it or not! I can send you high resolution scans of them if you'd like. Send me an email at [e-mail].

[@dtj9923]

Thanks for the insight. I've driven past that building countless times and have always wondered what it was in its past life. I hate to see this city in danger of losing so many of its amazing historic structures. The Warner and Swasey observatory immediately comes to mind.

[@snowmiaow]

Those in charge here have historically been seen the entire city as the abode of the poor that is best razed.

[@camlang5155]

I'm born and raised in Cleveland and know exactly where all this is at and always wondered what it was and what it was for good to know!

[@juliem7271]

i love this!! i was born and raised in cleveland and love to roam around the flats and see all the buildings and bridges, cant wait to watch more vids from your channel!

[@1908oceanworld]

It got my attention when the rapid train passes by. Love looking at old buildings.

[@briankleinschmidt3664]

I remember going with mom to pick up dad from work in that building. Haven't thought about that for 40 years.

[@olentangyriver1191]

I took pictures of it today, i remembered this video. I didn't know that the terminal tower put the depo out of business..

[@Relaxokay359]

I actually work in the building that's across the street from this one. I always look at it and notice how much the color of it stands out from the rest of the buildings.

[@derellandon976]

Now I want to go downtown and get a better look around this Building.

[@The_fairy150]

This is my favorite building. I drove past it every day when working downtown. And still when out of tow friends come to town I always take them past this building.

[@johnbroadway4196]

I've driven by this building, lots. I very much love the look and castle type image.

[@lokiwiseyt8608]

In my hometown of Ipswich Australia the main shopping centre that everyone uses known as river link was once a train yard and you can find at least 7 signs explaining the history of the area as well an old train carriage where an old over pass use to be as well as some of the train yard buildings around the shopping centre also the nearby railway workshops museum will sometimes run trains through the shopping centre

[@gmpullman]

A masterful work, sir. Ken Burns has a new competitor in town!

[@RailroadStreet]

Much appreciated Ed!

[@crazyhorsetrading8655]

Such a lovely building , It should be preserved. Looking at those photos of the interior, is progress really progress, we have lost so much in the name of progress. It sure was a more genteel era. Fight to save this structure before its regretted.

[@roywhitman7109]

I certainly hope someone finds a use for this building!! It would be a real shame to lose this one!!!

[@slicksnewonenow]

My dad, uncles and grandfather all worked for Sherwin Williams, just down the block from this "castle"... At least that's what I thought it was when I was a kid in the early 70s... I was in and out of that beautiful building countless times, whenever I "went to work" at the old Sherwin Williams Building just beyond the castle. Speaking of the old Sherwin Williams Building, wow, was that ever a beautiful structure! I remember well the front doors and their ornate grates... One giant door had a wrought iron monkey in a tree on it, the monkey was reaching for a cicada bug in another wrought iron tree on the other massive door. I've always wondered what ever happened to those magnificent pieces of artwork... If I didn't know any better, I'd bet they were just razed into the ground along with the rest of that majestic building. If I remember correctly, I think I was told that those particular doors and many other interior appointments in the old Sherwin Williams Building, were made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. And remembering the "castle" Train Station... Even as late as 1973-75, I remember all of the original woodwork in the building still being incredibly presentable. I wonder what it's like today?

[@hotrod347]

Seeing as you made a video on the CV&T RR., it would be really cool for you to highlight 2 of the stops along the way into Cleveland. First with Deeplock Quarry in Peninsula that actually had a a railroad connecting it to another quarry on 303.....and also the Jaite Papermill in the Town of Jaite off of Riverview road and Highland/Vaughn road. Also you could do a brief history of Station Rd. Bridge in Brecksville and the gravel company that used to sit down there before the park owned the property.

[@RailroadStreet]

Sure, I'll add those to my video topic list.

[@philpeters8200]

Thank you for this story. When I worked downtown we ran at lunch and would often pass this building. I thought it was the most interesting building in the Flats and must have been pretty important in it's time. Hopefully it can be repurposed at some point in the future.

[@bobbysenterprises3220]

Such a cool and interesting buildong and piece of history. Thanks for showing us

[@Paios]

"then in 19___ the ___________ company purchased the land and turned it into a parking lot" Ahhhh the story of many historical spots of Cleveland's great legacy.

[@wavesnbikes]

This would be a great terminal for the CVSR... One can dream... But the potential...

[@kellymcg]

I always wondered what the building originally housed. Thanks for the answer!

[@RailroadStreet]

You're quite welcome! Glad my video could answer your question, thanks for watching!

[@richterkleiber]

Fantastic video--well done on so many levels. Thank you!

[@RailroadStreet]

You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tedolphbundler724]

It is too beautiful to be torn down.

[@suppylarue220]

great presentation, educational and entertaining. stumbled onto your site, and I am glad I did. top notch work.

[@jayallen408]

A building that old should be restored and itself should be turned into a museum

[@davidellis4084]

I agree in principle, but when the structure has deteriorated to a certain point, it is no longer feasible. I hope that is not the case here, but I fear it is. I suspect that water has been running down those steel girders for decades. :(

[@stevenburns8817]

Almost anything can be fixed if you throw enough money at it. But sadly no rich person or no company has stepped up to the plate with this structure. Not like Ford which spent hundreds of millions to restore the Michigan Central Depot in Detroit.

[@Davey1022]

Aww I walk through this place to work like most of the day . Didn’t know this . Thank you

[@NorthernOhioRailroadAction]

Excellent Video lots of great history really enjoyed watching your video thanks again and hope you have a wonderful safe weekend looking forward to seeing your next video soon

[@RailroadStreet]

Thank you very much! Our latest video about the Euclid Railroad was just posted this morning.

[@PogieJoe]

Excellent little video!

[@martentrudeau6948]

It's beautiful building, it's fortunate that it still exists.

[@jmd1743]

Looks like an interesting structure to start a property empire from with buildings built with your specific tastes.

[@A320Pilots]

The building would make for a nice historic hotel. Seems to have a good location and plenty of parking for it. Surprised it hasn't been done yet...

[@mrs2306]

Who would invest $20 million in restoration for a historic hotel? That hotel would have to generate over $2 million in profits per year for an investor to get just 10% back on his investment.

[@TheRealAb216]

bit small for a hotel in downtown cleveland

[@snowmiaow]

@@mrs2306 the city has the money

[@A320Pilots]

@@mrs2306 I’m sure there would be tax breaks and other incentives involved for anyone wanting to restore a historic landmark.

[@tannerrobinson5110]

Will it be lost forever? I think what you meant to say was "Will it become another surface level parking lot?" At least that's what's happened to almost any building that is disused in the city of Cleveland.

[@choirboyfromhell1]

Excellent video!

[@jbdbackfan]

Nice work!

[@IanZainea1990]

BTW, I live in Cleveland. So if you're usually b-roll guy isn't able to get you footage, let me know! I'd be happy to shoot some stuff for you and see parts of the city!

[@markdelsander9953]

Well done!👏👍

[@kennethboehnlein51]

Very interesting. Thank you for your research.

[@TrainsOhio]

Great history! Thanks!

[@RailroadStreet]

You're welcome! I appreciate the positive feedback.

[@rayt1590]

Great job of research.

[@RailroadStreet]

Thank you!

[@choirboyfromhell1]

My God, the stubs of the train shed columns are still standing!

[@rebekahcuriel-alessi2239]

Thank you. So well done and interesting...🕯

[@hermanmunster714]

It's not unknown to most. Problem is been in private ownership. Just sold the bldg from sherwin Williams to Rock casino. They not the locals decide

[@r.pres.4121]

This abandoned but historic railroad station is just like Cleveland itself, mostly abandoned, decaying, and boarded up.

[@thekidfromcleveland3944]

Son have you been to the land lately? We just hosted the all star game ffs. This ain't 97. Catch up

[@drstewart]

@@thekidfromcleveland3944 Lol, "the land" is more than downtown. A sports event does nothing to address fundamental infrastructure issues, multigenerational poverty, and lack of opportunity in the city. If the city wants to solve its problems, we first have to admit that they're there. We don't need cheerleaders.

[@rotricesummerville7910]

Awesome content 👑👑💕🕊

[@elliottholmes3785]

Thanks for the video I always what that building was

[@eriefinishing6378]

Great video! Id love to see cvrr use this as its cleveland depot.

[@ohioyodertoter6827]

Beautiful building

[@opticalsewer]

This could be an amazing brewery 🍻

[@nickicouture7297]

Omgosh ! I live on THE center st!! Random.

[@Hansengineering]

Sherwin Williams has owned the property (and building) for many decades. It's unfortunately a very cool building, but an extremely valuable property.

[@LeFruFru]

You should make a video on Terminal Tower station and compare how it looked and functioned back in the day versus how it looks now. I don't understand where the actual platforms were. For instance where the red line platform is now, is that where interstate passenger lines were?

[@RailroadStreet]

Thanks for the great suggestion! I plan on making a video in the near future about the CUT's history and its original track layout.

[@roamingirl]

Great idea. I’d be interested in seeing it in any interim stages, as well. I remember going down when I was a kid before tower city and don’t remembered much but the smooth, sloping floor on our way to and from the rapid. I work in an office in one of the attached office buildings now. I pass the building in the current video twice a day, to and from work, since our parking is off Canal. I’ve always loved that back area of the flats - the industrial side or whatever, since I was a teenager cutting school to hang out downtown. (We were little rebels!) The bridges and factories and random tracks were always interesting. Way better than the “fun” East/West banks!

[@RandomPickle969]

I've driven passed this building since I was a small kid and my dad didn't even know what the building was. It's been abandoned since he was a kid too. Lol.

[@GoodTimeGremlin]

That’s nicer than the newer one.

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

I hope it gets restored :)

[@orionharmon6017]

5:19 And Tower City is still standing now, I'll tell you what year it is it's 2022 now so she's an old one. She's in downtown Cleveland for so long.

[@CSX_Doolittle]

Nice never knew this was in Cleveland I might have to check this out

[@unocryptoblackart716]

That building has always intrigued me. Do you know who owns it now and if it is for sale?

[@cmphighpower]

Is that line now part of the cyahoga valley railroad?

[@deansheridan]

Do you only do rail related buildings ? Cuz mid town Cleveland is full of crazy buildings

[@kneeman66]

The narrator has an excellent voice

[@neosystem852]

Great Vid! I’ve got a quick question since you’re so well versed in Cleveland history. Do you know how and where the B&O made its connection to Terminal Tower?

[@RailroadStreet]

Thank you! The B&O accessed the CUT through a connection they had with the Nickel Plate Road by Rockefeller and Broadway Ave.

[@neosystem852]

@@RailroadStreet Thanks a lot!

[@neosystem852]

Do you know if they would switch the B&O over to electric in the early days or did the just keep the steam power into the CUT?

[@robertweldon7909]

Although I have seen this building many times, way back when I lived in Cleveland 1947-1979, Ya I grew up there., I did not know that is was a railroad station. I often wondered where the B&O terminus was, at the passenger station. just a bit further on toward the lake and under the high Level bridge, itself worthy of one of you videos, was a place that was a restaurant, which claimed to have been the B&O passenger station. I wonder if that was untrue? Do not be surprised if the building is not torn down for some new project. That would be sad. ;-)

[@frankiegreer6258]

If I had the money to buy and maintain it I would make it my home .

[@Mosparx78]

In the closing photo it shows a “Condemned” sign on the building, a red square with a white diagonal stripe. IS the building actually slated for removal?🙀

[@pastorjerrykliner3162]

It could be a solution to everyone involved if somehow the building could be "taken apart" and relocated (rebuilt) over on the site of the current AMTRAK Station along with additional trackage on the site...

[@jayo1212]

Is it on the NRHP?

[@RailroadStreet]

No, I don't believe so. Even if it was on the National Register, it would not stop the building from being demolished unfortunately.

[@user-tf2ru7oz6w]

There is no question that this building be restored and made either into a nationality or a transportation museum as a part of the history of Cleveland. It should not be allowed to contnue to deteriorte and be torn down.

[@tomstanley7568]

that building originally had a flat stone roof its old its been rebuilt several times as in after the great flood

[@HarryPalmer-P.I.]

Too bad we couldn't get a look at the interior, current condition.

[@leroybrown505]

Super sad, someone save the train station.

[@daanvos194]

America is goana expand its passanger rail right? So maybe the old starions can be restored

[@armorpro573]

I doubt that.

[@yusefendure]

No excuse for this type of neglect. Cleveland is still fifty years behind Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The CT&V building is historic and should be a Cleveland landmark, not a relic.

[@mr.stonerUDX714]

lol cincy pitts,columbus are all shit holes!!!!!

[@richiswhere]

Sherwin Williams buys it and does nothing to it? Were they hoping it would collapse so they could have an excuse to tear it down because they had bigger plans for the area?

[@stutzbearcat5624]

This is great !! But maybe have your narrator enunciate his words more clearly. Just a thought.

[@forestr5808]

I am hearing impaired and and he sounds perfectly clear to me.

[@balljointfd3s]

God damnit, our city used to be a massive epicenter of commerce, now everything is just tainted with corruption.

[@LatinSith]

"Baltimore & Ohio Railroad", "Short Line". Two names in "Monopoly".

[@r.pres.4121]

Sherwin-Williams did build a new corporate headquarters and research center….in Minneapolis Minnesota. They are another one of most corporations once based in Cleveland that are now gone for good. Cleveland is becoming an irrelevant branch office and branch plant town just like Toledo.

[@thespaceace5637]

What are you talking about? Sherwin-Williams isn't going anywhere. They're literally building a new global headquarters in downtown Cleveland right now. Look it up.

[@georgeyoung7041]

Do you just make this stuff up? Check your facts.

[@CaptainColdyron222]

They’re building a new skyscraper right on Public Square. 😂

[@patrickmcbrewhouse]

Right there is a dispensary. Get your medical marijuana and your camera 📷. Best of the year is May thru July.