The massive Art Deco "Guardians of Traffic" sculptures are the inspiration for Cleveland's new baseball team name.
What's the backstory? [THREAD] bloom.bg/2WgGIx5
What's the backstory? [THREAD] bloom.bg/2WgGIx5
Why name a sports team after sculptures on a bridge?
It's not completely unprecedented for a ballclub to look to transportation infrastructure for inspiration — see, most famously, the Brooklyn "Trolley Dodgers." bloom.bg/376ELFE
It's not completely unprecedented for a ballclub to look to transportation infrastructure for inspiration — see, most famously, the Brooklyn "Trolley Dodgers." bloom.bg/376ELFE
The late 19th century dawn of professional baseball, and Cleveland was an emerging U.S. transportation and industrial hub.
As Cleveland boomed, the need for a bridge spanning the Cuyahoga River became more urgent.
Completed in 1932, the bridge's defining architectural flourish is its massive stone pylons housing eight sculptures known as the "Guardians of Traffic."
Completed in 1932, the bridge's defining architectural flourish is its massive stone pylons housing eight sculptures known as the "Guardians of Traffic."
The Guardians are depicted as muscular winged men.
Cleveland Magazine speculated that the Guardians were modeled after Hermes, the fleet messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, who was also the god of commerce and land travel.
Cleveland Magazine speculated that the Guardians were modeled after Hermes, the fleet messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, who was also the god of commerce and land travel.
The pylons reflect the city's history, as each figure holds a different vehicle — from a stagecoach and a hay wagon, up to an electric-powered delivery truck.
They represent "the arc of traffic and transportation in the city," says one local historian.
They represent "the arc of traffic and transportation in the city," says one local historian.
"The Guardians, to us, have always been a hidden gem and sense of pride for the city we love," says Jamie Gregory, marketing director for GV Art + Design.
"At first, no one understood the Guardians … But over time, they've really become a staple and landmark of the city."
"At first, no one understood the Guardians … But over time, they've really become a staple and landmark of the city."
Read more about these 43-foot-tall sandstone icons and the history of Cleveland in the report by @elizabethics: bloom.bg/2WgGIx5
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