A Christmas Story House Lights Up For Christmas

Everybody loves the movie “A Christmas Story” about Ralphie’s Christmas wish for a Red Ryder BB Gun (“You’ll shoot your eye out!), triple dog dares, “meatloaf, smeatloaf, double-beatloaf,” a tongue stuck to a metal pole, and of course a "major award" leg lamp. This film had many scenes filmed in the city of Cleveland, and the house used for the exterior shots was in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. This house was restored and the interior transformed to match the interior sets used in the movie, and opened in November 2006 as The Christmas Story House & Museum, located at 3159 W. 11th Street.

This year, the owners of the house and museum decided to take a cue from the fictional character of Clark Griswold in the film “Christmas Vacation” by lighting the Christmas Story House in the same manner. Here’s a new video from Insider Perks which chronicles the lighting. I’ve also included a video that they produced when the house and museum opened so you can get a quick tour.


Christmas Story House Lighting 2009






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Cleveland’s Innerbelt Bridge: In Trouble?

Last December, I wrote here about Cleveland’s many bridges (“Cleveland:City of Bridges”). One of the bridges mentioned was the I-90 Innerbelt Bridge, and at the time, there was much concern over the deterioration of the span.

Months later, things haven’t improved. The West 14th Street ramp in Tremont was closed several months ago due to concerns about the bridge structure in that area. This week, commuters were surprised with multiple lane closures and more ramp closures on the I-90 Innerbelt Bridge as the bridge is undergoing extensive inspections. You can read about the current state of the bridge in the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s article, “How serious are the Inner Belt Bridge's problems? Span's future in question”.

While the traffic problems that the inspection is causing is an aggravation, the inspection is a necessity to make sure the bridge is safe - or to determine that it's not. As this bridge is a main artery for those coming into, and passing through the city of Cleveland, it will create major problems if the safety of the bridge forces its closure.

Here’s a short video of the Innerbelt Bridge, taken from the Tremont area of Cleveland, in June of 2007, which gives a good idea of the size, and length of the span.




Also, if you’d rather see the bridge from bridge level, check out this video that shows the drive through the Innerbelt and over the bridge, but the video is sped up so the drive lasts less than a minute. Maybe that’s the best way to go over it right now… very fast!




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Exploring Cleveland Neighborhoods: Tremont

Cleveland Skyline from Lincoln Park

Photo by Christine Zimmer (used with permission)

The Cleveland west side neighborhood of Tremont has been in the news a lot lately. Michael Symon, owner and executive chef of Lolita on Literary Rd., just won the Food Channel’s Iron Chef competition. The house where some of the movie “A Christmas Story” was filmed is located in Tremont (at the intersection of W.11th and Rowley Avenue), and is now a museum. For years now, this former industrial-influenced neighborhood has become a magnet for restaurants, small shops, and artists. This translates to a sometimes very vibrant nightlife. It’s been a great revitalization for the area, and serves as a model for resurrecting other Cleveland neighborhoods.

Lincoln Park
Photo by Christine Zimmer (used with permission)

The area contains many old churches, and a quick drive down West 14th, or a stroll in Lincoln Park at the center of the area, will bring them into view. Restoration continues on the older homes in the area, further erasing the gritty industrial past. There are nice views of the Cleveland skyline from Lincoln Park and from a Tremont mainstay, Sokolowski’s University Inn. If you like huge portions of simple ethnic eats served cafeteria style, this is the place for you. You won’t leave hungry.

So if you’re looking for something to do, and haven’t been in Tremont for a while, take a drive or walk through the area and check it out. A Christmas Story House is open for the holidays...you could always drive down to Sokolowski’s to grab a bite – and check out the view – afterwards.

Skyline view from Sokolowski's University Inn

Photo by Christine Zimmer (used with permission)

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