The Hough riots and the Election of Carl Stokes: From Local Pandemonium to National Progress October 4, 2008

The Hough Riots, race riots in the predominantly black community of Cleveland’s Hough Neighborhood, took place over a six-night period from July 18 to 23, 1966. By the end of the riots, four African Americans were killed, 30 people critically injured, 275 arrests, and more than 240 fires reported. The underlying social problems—lack of access to quality housing, employment, and education—characterized the riots, which caused people and jobs to leave the area. On November 7, 1967, Carl Stokes made history when he was elected the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city. Many attribute Stokes victory to his ability to mobilize both black and white voters in the aftermath of the Hough Riots.

This tour will visit the Hough Neighborhood where the riots took place, the Louis Stokes Museum at Outhwaite Homes, and current community development projects in the area. The tour will conclude with a reception at Fatima Family Center and a panel discussion with individuals who lived and worked in the Hough area during the riots.

“Cleveland the Infamous: Stories of Triumph Over Tragedy” is a series of guided tours examining four defining moments in the history of Cleveland that demonstrate the core values of the people in this region and bring new insight to the stories behind the stereotypes. Other tours are: The Burning Cuyahoga River: From “Mistake on the Lake” to the “Green City on a Blue Lake” (7/12); The Cleveland Torso Murders Mystery: From Unsolved Crimes to Innovation in CSI (8/12); and The Fire at Cleveland Clinic: Overcoming Catastrophe through a Commitment to Quality Healthcare (9/17). Tickets are $20 each.

Official Website: http://www.cityclub.org