General Moses Cleaveland Statue Cleveland, OH 44115

The General Moses Cleaveland Statue stands as a proud tribute to the founder of the city of Cleveland. This portrait figure captures General Moses Cleaveland in a classical stance, with his left foot stepped forward, exuding an aura of determination and vision. In his right hand, Cleaveland holds a staff, while his left arm cradles a surveyor's tool, symbolizing his pivotal role in the city's establishment. Dressed in the attire of an honorable and wealthy man of his time, Cleaveland's analytic and professional gaze seems to survey the now-thriving metropolitan hub of the Great Lakes, a testament to his legacy.

General Moses Cleaveland was a surveyor, lawyer, soldier, and politician from Connecticut. He ventured into the Western Reserve (now Northeast Ohio) and, in 1796, along with his team, landed at Settler's Landing in the Flats. Shortly after, the city of Cleveland was founded with a modest population of four. There is an interesting anecdote about the city's name: it is speculated that the editor of the first newspaper, "The Cleveland Advertiser," found that "Cleaveland Advertiser" was one character too long for the printing form and thus dropped the "A," a change that has endured to this day.

In 2016, the statue was relocated to align with S. Ontario Street during the renovations of Public Square, ensuring its prominent place in the heart of the city.

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Ohio Outdoor Sculpture (OOS) conducts a comprehensive survey of all outdoor public sculptures in Ohio, contributing to a unique statewide collection that continues to grow with new sculptures, information, and images. The Sculpture Center, an arts institution dedicated to advancing the careers of emerging sculptors from Ohio and its greater region, plays a significant role in preserving outdoor public sculptures. This effort not only supports artists but also enriches the community by maintaining the cultural and historical legacy embodied by works like the General Moses Cleaveland Statue.