Whatever your reason for visiting, the WWII sites in Cleveland will certainly add an interesting new layer to your time here. You’ve got eye-opening museums, unique memorials, and even an authentic World War II submarine you can explore. Read on for the full list of WWII sites in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland during World War II
Cleveland, Ohio was the epitome of Home Front wartime contribution during World War II. It served as a huge industrial and manufacturing hub which led the country in wartime production of such things as planes, tanks, ships, and machinery parts. Cleveland’s H.K. Ferguson Co. even built Oak Ridge TN’s thermal diffusion plant (used to enrich the uranium needed for the atomic bomb).
To combat food shortages, the city built a large Victory Garden on the Cleveland Mall (where the War Memorial Fountain stands today). Cleveland also played a major role in the success of the “Block Plan”–an initiative of the Office of Civilian Defense that focused on mobilizing civilian volunteers to aid in the country’s defense through various programs.
These included fundraising drives for things like blood, material scraps, and war bonds. All said and done, Cleveland neighborhoods raised a combined $2.5 billion worth of war bonds. And these are only a few examples of Cleveland’s stellar dedication and contribution to the war effort here on the Home Front. For more on Cleveland’s wartime history, see this page.
Map of WWII sites in Cleveland
This map contains all the WWII sites in Cleveland I mention in this post. To save this map: Click on the star ⭑ next to the map’s title to save in your Google Maps. To use this map: When you get here, open Google Maps on your phone, click “Saved” at the bottom, then click “Maps.”
WWII Museums in Cleveland
Here are some great museums in the Cleveland area where you can learn more about various World War II topics. (I’ve also included a couple in some nearby towns in case you want to venture farther out.)
1. International Women’s Air & Space Museum – Downtown
The Cleveland International Women’s Air & Space Museum showcases “the history and culture of women in all areas of aviation and aerospace,” with a large focus on World War II-era aviation contributions.
You’ll learn a lot about the WASPs here and several individual stories of pioneer women aviators in both Allied and Axis countries. (And how it was women who first flew the new B-29 Superfortresses because the male pilots were too scared to.)
This museum is located at the Burke Lakefront Airport, right next to the USS Cod submarine in downtown Cleveland.
2. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage – Beachwood
At the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, you’ll find several exhibits detailing the history of Jewish immigrants here in the US. Exhibits focus on topics like arriving in America at the beginning of the 20th century, building communities, facing fascism and growing persecution, joining the war effort, reflecting on the tragedy of the Holocaust, and rebuilding after WWII.
You can also explore several temporary exhibitions on various World War II-related topics as well. As I write this, there’s currently one focusing on Hitler’s war on art and culture (which he labeled as “degenerate”).
3. D-Day Ohio WWII Museum – Conneaut
Though a bit farther out in Conneaut, this museum is worth the drive. It’s packed with authentic World War II artifacts and even has a recreated 1940s Home Front kitchen. As expected, many of the exhibits focus on the Normandy invasions of June 6, 1944 (D-Day).
4. Cleveland Museum of Art – University Circle
Though obviously not a World War II museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art does have an interesting piece you might enjoy. (If you’re already planning a visit here, to what I personally believe is one of the best art museums in the country).
In the Contemporary art wing, you can view the large piece called Lot’s Wife by German artist Anselm Kiefer. The mixed media painting features a pair of railway tracks cutting through a destroyed landscape, reminiscent of those that lead to Auschwitz. The work’s name refers to Lot’s wife from the Book of Genesis who, after looking back at the destruction of Sodom, was turned into a pillar of salt.
Museum Ships in Cleveland
And here are a couple more museums of a different sort…
5. USS Cod Submarine – Downtown
The USS Cod is a WWII GATO-class fleet submarine launched on March 21, 1943. The Cod spent most of its wartime service in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the waters off the Philippines where it sunk 12 enemy vessels and damaged tons more.
It spent some time at Pearl Harbor and at one point suffered a small fire which resulted in the death of Sergeant First Class Andrew G. Johnson–the Cod’s only WW2 fatality. The Cod also famously rescued the crew of a Dutch submarine–history’s only sub-to-sub rescue.
The Cod was decommissioned in 1954, used as a training vessel in reserve until 1971, and opened to the public as a museum ship in 1976.
Today, you can tour the entire USS Cod Submarine yourself. You’ll be able to see the engine and torpedo rooms, sleeping and dining quarters, control rooms, and much more. Note that this is not for the claustrophobic and that you’ll need to climb down into the sub using a vertical ladder through a narrow opening.
6. SS William G. Mather – Downtown
The Steamship William G. Mather served as a freighter during World War II here in the Great Lakes region. Before the war even started, the Mather was instrumental in helping to supply the Allied forces with steel and was the first such vessel to be equipped with radar.
The Mather served as a freighter all the way from 1925 to 1980. The Great Lakes Historical Society acquired it in 1987 in order to preserve it and open it to the public as a museum ship. Today, you can find it just outside the Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It has a different operating schedule for different times of the year so confirm its current hours before you go.
WWII Memorials & Monuments in Cleveland
Also among the WWII sites in Cleveland is this list of interesting memorials and monuments around town:
7. Jesse Owens Olympic Oak Plaza – University Circle
After visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art, head over to the nearby Jesse Owens Olympic Oak Plaza. Unveiled in 2021, this unique memorial park features several pieces related to this fearless athlete who grew up and went to high school here in Cleveland.
Jesse Owens, a black American track and field athlete, won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in front of Adolf Hitler and his fascist German nation (a rousing slap in the face to Hitler’s belief in white supremacy). At this park you can see:
- The Olympic Oak Tree, propagated from the original tree awarded to Jesse Owens at the Berlin Olympics in 1936
- Four memorial markers that highlight his life and achievements
- Podium seat wall that’s supposed to resemble the winner’s stand at the Olympics
- 200-meter loop track around the park
Fun fact: Jesse Owen’s middle name is “Cleveland.”
8. Kol Israel Foundation Holocaust Memorial – Bedford Heights
Cleveland’s Holocaust Memorial originally opened in 1961 as one of the country’s first. Initially, it included the obelisk and two large memorial panels. Beneath it, a crypt contains remains and artifacts of Jews killed at the Auschwitz, Majdanek, and Bialystock concentration camps.
In 1996, the granite memorial walls were built around the obelisk. These contain names of Holocaust victims and survivors and some inspirational quotes.
Fun fact: The Cleveland Holocaust Memorial was the first Holocaust memorial to be designated a National Historic Site.
9. Smoky Memorial – Lakewood
The Smoky Memorial was erected in 2005 and honors Smoky the Yorkie and all the other dogs who have served in war, including World War II. It features a sculpture of Smoky sitting in an army helmet atop a granite block.
Next to it you can read the War Hero’s Memorial information plaque. It shows the original image of Smoky in the helmet and tells her incredible story–rescued from a foxhole in New Guinea by a Clevelander, trained to complete dangerous but critical operations that men couldn’t do, and the recipient of several medals and honors. The day I visited in February 2024, I even saw two yorkies enthusiastically playing in the snow here.
Fun fact: There’s also a memorial to Smoky the Dog at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
10. War Bond Headquarters – Medina
As I mentioned earlier, the citizens of Cleveland, Ohio were responsible for a huge chunk of the country’s total war bonds sales. Many of these bonds were purchased here, at this small white building near Medina Square.
Between 1942 and 1945, more than $3 million worth of war bonds was purchased here. The building changed hands several times following the war, and was even physically moved to a few different locations.
In November 2022, it finally came to rest in its current location behind the McDowell-Phillips House Museum. It’s been recently restored (shortly after this picture was taken in early 2024, obviously) and includes a collection of historical artifacts inside from its war days.
11. WWII Cannon – Medina
Also in Medina Square you can see a 57mm cannon used in WWII. As the plaque next to it explains: a different weapon (from WWI) originally stood here but was melted down for the war effort during WWII. Now, a WWII cannon stands here in its place.
12. Cleveland Heights Veterans Memorial
The Cleveland Heights Veterans Memorial opened on November 14, 1943 and originally honored those who gave their lives fighting in World War II. In the decades since, it has expanded to honor the fallen from the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars as well.
13. Lone Sailor Memorial – Downtown
In October 2024, Cleveland acquired its very own Lone Sailor, making this the youngest of all WWII sites in Cleveland. The Lone Sailor Statue Program began in 1997 and has now introduced these identical statues to 19 cities around the world including on Utah Beach (in Normandy) and at Pearl Harbor. The original stands in Washington DC.
Cleveland’s statue stands in Voinovich Bicentennial Park along the waterfront and represents the Navy Memorial’s mission to “Honor, Recognize, and Celebrate the men and women of the Sea Services, past, present, and future; and Inform the public about their service.”
WWII events near Cleveland
And if you’re looking for something a little more interactive, don’t miss this great festival…
14. D-Day Conneaut
D-Day Conneaut is a three-day WWII-focused festival in nearby Conneaut, Ohio which also includes the country’s largest D-Day reenactment (complete with actual beach landings). Besides the reenactments, you can also check out a whole schedule of interactive programs and events, meet the reenactors, shop at the flea market, and so much more.
There’s too much to tell you about it here, so I’ve written a full post on what it’s like to attend the D-Day Conneaut festival. Click that link for all the details.
Check out rental car deals here if you’ll need one to drive to Conneaut.
Where to stay in Cleveland
When I visit Cleveland, I stay with my friend who lives here, but there are tons of great places to stay here. Start your hotel search with these recommendations:
These are only a sample of the long list of options here. Check out more Cleveland hotel options here.
Related books and movies
If you want to read up on any of these topics before your visit to the WWII sites in Cleveland (or watch some good movies), start here:
More info for your visit to Ohio
- Hotels: Find great places to stay on Booking.com (my go-to). Expedia and Hotels.com are worth checking too. VRBO is best for apartment rentals.
- Rental cars: Check out the best local rental car deals here.
- Local tours & activities: Check out all the options from Viator and Get Your Guide.
- Travel Planning: Don’t forget an Ohio guidebook for all your area sightseeing.
Like this post? Have questions about visiting any of the WWII sites in Cleveland? Let me know in the comments below. Have a great trip!
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