The Van Sweringen brothers had acquired nine major rail lines by the end of their careers as railroad barons in the early 1930s. Along with a number of partially owned railroads, the Van Sweringen empire reached commercial centers throughout the Midwest and Southwest. It was also one of four major railroad powers in the East. The fall of the empire, however, would have its most profound impact in Cleveland. The construction of rail and rapid transit lines throughout the city came to a halt. While these extensive plans to develop Cleveland's infrastructure were never realized, the unparalleled influence of the Van Sweringen brothers during their era of prominence had already left an indelible impression on the physical and economic landscape of the city. | Source: Shaker Historical SocietyDownload Original File
