Lakewood Lore

Old stairway leads to many memories

When Elizabeth Gallagher was looking for a research project for the recent science fair at St. Mel School where she's an eighth grader, her father, Mike, suggested as a topic the 99-step flight of stairs that once led down into Rocky River Valley from the end of Madison Avenue.

He had found a reference to the stairway in a book of reminiscences on a shelf at the West Park Library.

"Elizabeth liked the idea, so we decided to search for the site," said Mike.

To get to the valley floor, they took a nearby path known to Lakewood youngsters who sledded there in the '20s and '30s as Sharkey's Hill. It also was called Broken-leg Hill.

The top of the path was reached on foot off Riverside Drive opposite Indianola. The entrance today is marked by a sign that emphatically proclaims the descent off-limits for sleds.

After climbing down and then walking north from the slope's base about 100 yards, the Gallaghers discovered what was left of the stairs. They saw remnants of 13 concrete steps and five crumbling, pillar-like masonry supports through which a pipe railing once was threaded. They determined the remains would be of little use now in scaling the steep cliffside.

"Later, Elizabeth brought a camera and took pictures, which were turned in with her write-up," her father said. "Judges at the fair were pleased with her entry, and she got a good grade from her teacher."

Among the many who used the stairs through the years were battalions of boys from Lakewood YMCA. Y youth groups would take the Madison streetcar to the end of the line. Then, after walking down the steps, they would hike a mile through a heavily wooded section of oaks, elms and sycamores before crossing the river to a day-camp lodge near the footings of the Hilliard Road Bridge.

The Lodge, long a landmark in the valley, was built by the Lakewood Kiwanis Club in 1925.

Frank C. Meyers of Meyers Lumber Co. was president then. He supplied the wood for construction, charging much less than the wholesale prices and arranging to have it carted to the site before the present fords were built across the river. Most of the carpenter work and painting were done by club members during their spare time.

Following completion, the lodge was given to the Y "for youth recreational and character-building purposes." After 35 years, time took its toll of the building. In the '60s, when it became too costly to maintain, it was discontinued as a Y facility. Finally, about 15 years ago, it was torn down.

Today, the lodge, the stairway and the sled rides down Sharkey's Hill are gone. But for many Lakewoodites, the memories -- reels of treasured tapings in the archives of the mind -- remain.

This Lakewood Lore article by Dan Chabek appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post March 8, 1990.

Reprinted with permission.

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