Cleveland Indians: 5 secrets you might not know about Progressive Field

1. A history older than Cleveland

For hundreds of years, the location of modern-day Progressive Field was used as a Native American burial ground, according to Cleveland.com. 

In the late 19th century, Cleveland’s city council approved the location of the Central Market, to be situated on the intersection of Ontario, Woodland and Broadway.

By 1890, the market was, well, not a place you’d like to go. Historians from Case Western University wrote that it had become antiquated, and “lacked sanitary facilities.” The market house remained and was said to have become a safety and health hazard. The markethouse burned to the ground in 1949, 14 months after the Indians won their last World series.

The market persevered, though, as it still functioned until 1981, when it had fewer than 40 tenants. Interestingly, it was sold to the Domed Stadium Corp. in 1986. Alas, Clevelanders know that venture didn’t work out, and the market was finally razed and became a part of the Gateway Project two years later.

Elsewhere on the grounds,  back in 1903, a Salvation Army Citadel hotel would’ve stood in the spot now occupied by centenaries field, while Eagle School stood on the street of the same name. Many of you will know Eagle St. at the street that runs behind the scoreboard and the home run porch.

In 1992, Charles Nagy and Mel Harder famously brought the past together with the future in this photo op set up by the Indians.