Historic Bullet Holes At The Great Lake Brewing Company In Cleveland Tell Of A Darker Time
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Out in the old Wild West, one would expect to find remnants of scuffles between law enforcement and outlaws. In Cleveland, however? Such a thing would be unheard of… one would think. Believe it or not, there’s one place in Cleveland with Prohibition-era bullet holes, and some were left by one of the most famous crime fighters to ever live in The Land. Prepare to travel through time, because the historic 1872 Market Tavern building in Cleveland has a story to tell. If only walls could talk…
The Brewpub opened in 1988 and quickly became a local landmark. The building it opened in is full of history, boasting a past with one of Ohio City's first small businesses. You can tour the Brewpub to discover how the past and present are connected in this amazing place. The building underwent renovations in 2020, which emphasized its historic elements. As cozy and as welcoming as ever before, this destination is a cool spot to unwind in Ohio City.
Wondering what's on tap right now? You can check on their website for current offerings at this location.
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Their menu is modest but mighty. Wings, pretzels and beer cheese, pierogies, brats, and other delicacies delight diners with flavor that's as warm and as welcoming as a hug.
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The bullet holes are often a topic of conversation among visitors. It's not exactly something one would expect to see hiding in plain sight, and yet... there they are.
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The massive building once housed the Herrman-McLean Feed and Seed Co., which surely brought locals from more rural regions into town. The building also housed the old Market Tavern at one time, which operated for years before and after Prohibition. One can't think of Prohibition without recalling the efforts of Prohibition agent Eliot Ness, the man often credited with taking down Al Capone. While many don't know what happened to Ness after Capone's reign of terror ended, locals know that he ended up in Cleveland... and his story got a little bit ironic when he discovered his love of liquor.
Eliot Ness, whose final resting place is Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, served as Cleveland's Safety Director from 1935 until the early 1940s. He had a... reputation, we'll say, in Cleveland. In addition to serving during the infamous Torso Murders, Ness was quite a social drinker. He did manage to reduce traffic-related fatalities during his tenure, which helped Cleveland shake its reputation as one of the most dangerous places to drive in the nation. Ironically, he caused an accident while drunk driving that looked suspiciously like a hit and run, and it caused many locals to lose faith in him. He left the city and returned years later to run for mayor, but was unsuccessful.
Ness may not have fired the gun that permanently marked the walls at this venue, but it's possible he drank here on occasion. Some of the bullet holes are filled in on the 1901 bar, but one is proudly marked with a comical "Bang!" flag. The old bar is worth swinging by and checking out, regardless of who put the bullet holes in the wall. It's original to the building, and it was only removed during Prohibition (and, during that era, it was really only moved upstairs and out of sight). Try an Eliot Ness Amber Lager to tie the experience together... it's a true Cleveland favorite.
Point out the bullet holes to your friends and tell them about the history recounted here to impress them. They just might have their own theories about the history of this old building!
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Visit the Brewpub at 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
There’s so much to love about the historic 1872 Market Tavern building, from the ambiance to the ever-flowing beverages. What do you think… will you be paying this local landmark a visit?
Looking for more cool breweries to visit? Check out our Cleveland brewery trail to keep the libations going.
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2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA