Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection

1932 Greyhound bus

Our photos take a look at the history of Greyhound and how the Cleveland terminal that was built in 1948 was an example of a style known as Streamline Moderne. This art style included the profiles of vehicles as well as buildings.

Plain Dealer reporter Alison Grant examines in more depth these influences and architecture in her story about author Frank Wrenick who documented much of the history of the Cleveland Greyhound station on Chester Ave.

Alison's fun facts about Greyhound are good to know whether you plan to book a bus seat or choose to stay in your own armchair.

In the photo on the left, this 33-passenger capacity bus emblazoned with "Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines" rolls through Cleveland in February of 1932. The photo is from the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection.

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection

1932: Ticket to travel

In 1932 the Chester Ave. Greyhound terminal did not exist. Bus travelers would visit the station on East. 9th St. in Cleveland. This Cleveland News photo is dated on leap day of 1932.

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection

1932: Cleveland Greyhound terminal

Cleveland's Greyhound station was not always on Chester Ave. This 1932 photo shows the interior of the terminal that was on East Ninth Street. The photo is dated Feb. 27, 1932.

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer

1932: Terminal opens at Ninth and Superior

Before they were on Chester Ave., Greyhound opened a station at East Ninth and Superior in Cleveland on Feb. 27, 1932.

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection

1932: Cleveland's previous Greyhound bus station

Prior to their Chester Ave. presence, Greyhound passengers in Cleveland used a station with an East Ninth St. address to buy tickets and wait for their buses. This Cleveland News photo is dated Feb. 29, 1932.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer

1941: Super-Savings advertised

With World War II under way, a part of a Greyhound advertisement in The Plain Dealer dated Dec. 31, 1941, read, "BUY DEFENSE BONDS With the Saving!"

Don't Edit

undefined

The Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection, Cleveland News

1947: Cleveland Greyhound terminal construction

This Cleveland News photo of the construction of a new Greyhound terminal on Chester Ave., circa 1947, is stamped "PHOTO BY DORK". The design by architect W. S. Arrasmith is in the Streamline Moderne style.

Don't Edit

Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection

Time for travel

This undated City of Cleveland (City Hall) photo of the Greyhound terminal is in the The Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection. It shows the rounded lines of the building designed in Streamline Moderne style by architect W. S. Arrasmith in 1948.

Don't Edit

Esther Bubley/Library of Congress

1943: Traveling in style

Photographer Esther Bubley was capturing a lot of pivotal moments in the lives of Greyhound travelers during World War II. This photo was taken in 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bubley was able to document clothing styles and bus styles. According to the caption with this photo, this type of bus was known as a dive bomber by the drivers.

Don't Edit

Esther Bubley/Library of Congress Photograph Collection

1943: Greyhound travel

Photographer Esther Bubley documented a Greyhound bus trip from Louisville, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee. Her photos show us the styles of buses and passenger clothing from Sept. 1943.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Esther Bubley/Library of Congress

1943: Streamline Moderne style helps brand Greyhound

Photographer Esther Bubley documented a Greyhound bus trip from Louisville, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee. Her photos show us the styles of buses and passenger clothing from Sept. 1943.

Don't Edit

Esther Bubley/Library of Congress Photograph Collection

1943: Greyhound Silversides

This image is of a model of Greyhound bus known as Silversides, influenced by the Streamline Moderne era and branding for the bus company. Photograph Esther Bubley's images are part of the Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection in the Library of Congress.

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection

1947: Aerial view

Looking down from Allerton Roof on the new Greyhound bus terminal on Chester Ave. near E. 13th St. The photo is stamped with the date October 27, 1947. Photo by Dork, Cleveland News.

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection

1948: New bus terminal

This March 29, 1948 photograph shows the Streamline Moderne style inside the new Cleveland Greyhound bus terminal on Chester Ave.

Don't Edit

undefined

The Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection

1948: new Greyhound interior

Cleveland News photo of the interior of Cleveland's new Greyhound bus station on March 28, 1948. It opened on March 31. The terminal was designed by architect W. S. Arrasmith in the style of Streamline Moderne.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection

1959: Greyhound's Scenicruiser

Greyhound's Scenicruiser bus seen leaving the terminal at E. 14th and Chester in Cleveland. The Greyhound station, built in 1948, is an example of Streamline Moderne styling by architect W. S. Arrasmith. Photo is dated April 21, 1959 and stamped "PHOTO BY HORTON". (Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)

Don't Edit

Associated Press

1962: stranded in the snow

Not all the cruises were scenic. This unscheduled stop in Des Moines, Iowa in March of 1962 had passengers stranded for six hours because of snow. The passengers were afforded some comfort because of the amenities aboard Greyhound's Scenicruiser.

Don't Edit

The Plain Dealer

1964: Greyhound travels to the World's Fair

Using advertisements like this one in The Plain Dealer, Greyhound reassured their passengers that they could find hotels in New York during the 1964 World's Fair.

Don't Edit

Library of Congress

Washington, D.C. Greyhound renovation

The Washington, D.C. Greyhound bus terminal has features similar to Cleveland's. This undated photo is part of the Library of Congress photo collection: the Historic American Buildings Survey, Engineering Record, Landscapes Survey.

Don't Edit

Greyhound station in Arkansas, circa 1937

The old Greyhound bus station in Blytheville, Ark., is shown in this 2002 file photo. The depot, built by the bus company around 1937, is on the National Register of Historic Places. (AP Photo/Main Street Arkansas, File)

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Diana McNees, The Plain Dealer

1980: Greyhound strike

The Keatley family waits outside the Greyhound bus station on November 1, 1980. Their son Barry needed to get to Fort Carson in Colorado by Nov. 3. He was inside getting a refund on his ticket due to a strike.

Don't Edit

Roadell Hickman/The Plain Dealer

2000: Terminal renovation

Cleveland's Greyhouse Bus Terminal was renovated. Millions were spent to fix up the interior, restoring it to its original glory. This photo is dated Feb. 27, 2000

Don't Edit

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

Cleveland Heights author documents Greyhound history

Author Frank Wrenick has had a passion for more vehicles than just Greyhound busses. Wrenick fell in love with a woman who fell in love with Ramblers. It became a shared passion, as the Wrenicks now run the international American Motors Corp. Rambler Club from their Cleveland Heights home, and have several vehicles that qualify for membership. Photo from 2001.

Don't Edit

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

Passion for Pacers

Not quite Streamline Moderne in style: Elaine and Frank Wrenick share a passion for Pacers. Frank is founder and president of the international AMC Rambler and AMC Pacer clubs. With their 1977 Pacer, in the driveway of the Cleveland Height home. Photo was taken on Aug. 20, 2001.

Don't Edit

Airstream, Thor Industries Inc.

2002: Airstream, made in Ohio

The Airstream 34-foot classic was just one trailer produced by Airstream in Ohio. Airstream trailers have been made in Ohio by Thor Industries Inc. since 1952, although the originals, going back to 1931, were made in California. Photo dated June 6, 2002.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Airstream, Thor Industries

2003 Airstream, made in Ohio

Airstream photo dated May 29, 2003. These vehicles influenced by streamline moderne styling are manufactured by Thor Industries, Inc. in Jackson Center, OH

Don't Edit

Cleveland Historical Photograph Collection/General Motors

Streamline Moderne influence on cars

Widely regarded as the industry's first concept car, the Buick Y Job is a landmark vehicle in automotive history. It reflected the American-inspired look of Streamline Moderne. This Buick was constructed in 1938 under the direction of Harley J. Earl, GM's first design chief. This photo was dated Aug. 3, 2003. Buick was celebrating it's 100th anniversary.

Don't Edit

Tim Harrison/Special to The Plain Dealer

2009: Greyhound author works on aircraft

Local author Frank Wrenick who chronicled the Cleveland Greyhound terminal's history is a man of many interests. Reporter Chuck Yarborough works on a Korean War era F-86 jet with the help of Wrenick on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at the Military Air Preservation Society museum in North Canton.

Don't Edit

John Kuntz/The Plain Dealer

2012: Streamline Moderne architecture in Cleveland

Another example of Streamline Moderne stye: the old US Coast Guard station at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, photographed August 14, 2012. The building is reflected in a large puddle of rain water. (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

Don't Edit

Photo: Emily Andrews

2014: Looking to other cities for ideas

Clevelanders can look to what is being done in other cities when it considers ideas for repurposing the Greyhound terminal on Chester. In this photo, an old Greyhound station in Savannah, Georgia, was refurbished by Johno Marisano, working with Parts and Labor Design. He turned it into an upscale dining experience offering Southern food fare prepared by Chef Mashama Bailey. The Grey is located at 109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.; Phone 912-662-5999

Don't Edit