If you live in Olmsted Falls of Cleveland Ohio then you are going to hear two things. Planes and trains. In this case the latter is more important. Roughly a mile from my childhood home is a set of train tracks. Along these tracks comes the Grand Pacific Junction.
The buildings that make up most of this small town shopping area are the same ones described back in 1879 by the second settler of the area David Stearns. A few drug stores, a broom factory, a tailor shop, and four general stores. None hold their original businesses as they've all been converted into modern day stores and restaurants. However, the feeling of walking into this block long shopping area is definitely like walking back in time. If you ignore the asphalt parking lot behind it. It also surprisingly holds true to its historic function. Which is to take your money.
The area is really named after the Grand Pacific Hotel which popped up after the railroad actually arrived in 1858. It still resides in the same spot it did then. Now a popular spot for wedding receptions, especially with a beautiful historic church across the tracks.
Despite being literally five hundred feet or less from the current rail road tracks, and on many occasion a parked train, a decommissioned steam engine and a caboose are placed behind the buildings for children to climb and play on. At least there were never signs telling us not to.
They hold a Heritage Day there every year of which I have marched past in the band for the parade. It is mostly a celebration of Olmsted Falls as a whole rather than the Junction but the celebration is held in the most clustered historic part of the suburb. Its a really fun place to walk around and see at least a part of my small town's history. Very overpriced.
Work Cited
http://grandpacificjunction.com/
http://www.gpjmerchants.com/HeritageDays.html
My Memories
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