William Kless Studio--Telling the Story of Cleveland's Past

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William Kless Storyteller

William Kless is a storyteller, but not the usual kind. Bill tells stories with pictures. One of Bill's hobbies is to collect information and memorabilia about Cleveland's past, especially related to old amusement parks.

Then he takes his considerable artistic talent and training putting the past into pictures that will stir memories of a childhood filled with roller coasters, trains, and fun houses.

Would you like to take a journey down memory lane?

Cedar Point (from a book cover) 

Window to the Past


William Kless is an incredibly talented artist and graphic designer. He has chosen to immortalize local Clevelanders' childhoods by creating beautiful posters of some of our most vivid memories.

Bill has a special place in his heart for Euclid Beach Park on the east side of Cleveland. Euclid Beach Park was extremely popular in its heyday with people in the area. Because it was so close, many children visited over and over each summer.

As you go through the images, you will be able to see Bill's love of his subject matter.

Laughing Sal 

Evocative Memories

Each of Bill's images evokes a specific memory. Whenever I see the train prints, I always think of visits to my one uncle who collected old model cars and trains.

Customers that come in our gallery love to tell me about their own Euclid Beach memories. The Laughing Sal print always gets a reaction. "I was so scared of her!"

Shaker Rapid 

Riding the Rapid

When I was a little girl, my mother and I would "go downtown" once in a while. We lived on the east side of Cleveland, and going downtown was a big deal.

We would dress up, and in our best, we would ride the Rapid Transit to Terminal Tower--the end of the line. The rapid trains looked just like the one in the picture above. This is a distinct memory for me. I remember holding my mother's hand, and the sway and noise of the trains as we made our way downtown.

Once downtown, we would shop at the downtown department stores, and have lunch at one of a few restaurants.

It was an adventure.

The Spirit of St. Louis



Trains are more of a boy's world than a girl's, at least when I was growing up. But I still remember learning about the different railroads, probably when I played Monopoly.

Bill's black and white drawings really bring the old world feel to his train pictures.

Lake Erie Artists Gallery

William Kless is just one of over 80 different artists and authors who have their work in Lake Erie Artists Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio. Appropriately, Lake Erie Artists Gallery is inside Tower City attached to the Terminal Tower.

Lake Erie Artists Gallery specializes in Cleveland, its history, and its artists. To learn more about the gallery, read my lens Lake Erie Artists Gallery.

Other Lenses About Cleveland Artists

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Euclid Beach 

Cleveland's Amusement Park Memories

This is a really cool book. We also sell it in our gallery. Great photos of the amusement parks.

Cleveland Amusement Park Memories

Amazon Price: $15.09 (as of 05/24/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $12.98

For UK readers--Cleveland Amusement Park Memories

Release Date: 12/31/1969

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

History on the Parks

These books go along with the prints and give lots of cool background history. We also carry most of these in our store.

Chippewa Lake Park (OH) (Images of America) by David W. Francis, Diane DeMali Francis

Chippewa Lake Park (OH) (Images of America) by David W. Francis, Diane DeMali Francis

In the 1880s, Oscar Townsend and the Cleveland, Lo more...0 points

Ohio's Amusement Parks in Vintage Postcards (OH) (Postcard History Series) by David Francis, Diane Francis

Ohio's Amusement Parks in Vintage Postcards (OH) (Postcard History Series) by David Francis, Diane Francis

By 1912, there were 54 amusement parks in Ohio. Th more...0 points

A Shaker Rapid Album by James A. Toman, James R. Spangler

A Shaker Rapid Album by James A. Toman, James R. Spangler

A Shaker Rapid Album is a pictorial history of the more...0 points

Chippewa 

Chippewa Lake Park

Chippewa Lake Park was west of Cleveland.

I have talked to many customers about it and what they remember most is camping in cabins or tents for the summer in the area, then spending their days at the park.

Nowadays, it is too expensive to spend day after day in an amusement park, but back then it was free to get in and you just paid for the rides and games. Much different from now.

Kiddieland (available in cards and T-shirts) 

Links to More Historical Information

Euclid Beach Park Now
Read more about an organization whose goal it is to preserve the memories of Euclid Beach Park.
Defunct Parks
This site is devoted to defunct parks.
Forgotten Ohio
A link to information about forgotten Ohio history.
Geauga Lake Today
Geauga Lake is another park that just closed. I spent many happy hours there as a teenager in the summer.
Bill hasn't made a poster for this one yet, but I feel it coming.

Lake Erie Island 

Do You Have Fond Memories of Amusement Parks?

  • Kimbesa Jun 24, 2011 @ 3:24 am | delete
    Wonderful local color and artwork...thanks for creating this lens!
  • praise Aug 7, 2009 @ 7:47 am | delete
    I enjoy all the Cleveland lenses, it's a great town and I visit at least twice a year. 5* At your leasure check out my poetry lens. Thanks.
    Debra
  • Stazjia Nov 11, 2008 @ 3:50 am | delete
    I'd never heard of William Kless before I read your lens but I love his art now. Welcome to the Art & Design Group.
  • moneygames Aug 24, 2008 @ 2:39 pm | delete
    Very nise lens.Great info. 5*
    Please visit my lens and let me know how I did.
    http://www.squidoo.com/science_getting_rich_wallace

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About Lakeerieartists

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lakeerieartists



I am an artist, writer, and owner of Lake Erie Artists Gallery at Shaker Square in Cleveland, Ohio.

You can also find my writing on these sites:
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