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Think these Cleveland legends are just myths? Think again—here are 17 wild stories that are actually true.
Cleveland’s got stories—and then it’s got stories. Urban legends, tall tales, and head-scratching rumors have floated around Northeast Ohio for generations.
But here’s the twist: some of them are totally true.
From flaming rivers to music myths, these Cleveland “lies” are actually facts. Whether you’re a born-and-raised Clevelander or new to The Land, these weird-but-true local legends are guaranteed to blow your mind—or at least win you a bar bet.
Here are 17 Cleveland myths that sound fake… but aren’t.
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1. The Cuyahoga River Caught Fire — More Than Once
Yes, Cleveland’s river really ignited. Most famously in 1969, but it had caught fire at least 13 times before that.
2. There’s a Secret Streetcar Tunnel Under Downtown
An abandoned subway line still exists beneath the Detroit-Superior Bridge — you can walk it during special events.
3. A Million Balloons Once Shut Down Cleveland
Balloonfest ’86 released 1.5 million balloons. It ended in disaster, disrupting air traffic and emergency services.
4. The Terminal Tower Was Once the Second Tallest Building in the World
When it opened in 1930, it was second only to the Empire State Building.
5. Eazy-E Helped Bone Thugs Produce the “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” Video in Cleveland
After discovering Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Eazy-E returned to Cleveland to help shoot the iconic “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” video — solidifying their hometown roots in hip-hop history.
6. Michael Stanley Sold Out Blossom Faster Than Springsteen
In Northeast Ohio, Stanley was royalty. His 1980s shows broke attendance records Springsteen couldn’t touch.
7. The Browns Invented Monday Night Football
Cleveland hosted the first-ever MNF game in 1970—against the Jets.
8. The Terminal Tower Was Once Lit to Warn of Air Raids
During WWII, the lights of the Terminal Tower were turned off or red during drills — fueling ghost stories and urban legends tied to war activity downtown.
9. LeBron’s First Game Back in Cleveland Was a Loss
His highly anticipated 2014 return ended in a flat home defeat to the Knicks.
10. The “Mistake on the Lake” Nickname Started with the Stadium
It wasn’t always about the city—Cleveland Municipal Stadium’s cold concrete helped earn the name.
11. Cleveland Police Horses Went Rogue on I‑90 Highway
In March 2024, two Cleveland Mounted Police horses escaped their stables and bolted down I‑90 against traffic. The Ohio Department of Transportation jokingly called it “real horsepower.”
12. The World’s First Electric Traffic Signal Was Installed in Cleveland
On August 5, 1914, Cleveland debuted the first municipal electric traffic light at Euclid Avenue and East 105th Street.
13. Cleveland’s 2016 Championship Parade Had More People Than the Entire City
Roughly 1.3 million people flooded downtown Cleveland for the Cavs parade — more than triple the city’s population at the time. Cell service went down, traffic froze for hours, and people climbed anything with a ledge. Many thought the number was exaggerated, but it’s confirmed by city estimates and aerial footage. It remains one of the largest NBA parades ever.
14. There’s a Ghost at Franklin Castle
This West Side Victorian mansion has been featured on ghost-hunting shows and urban legend forums for years.
15. A Blizzard Once Shut Down the Entire City
The Blizzard of ’78 dropped over 30 inches of snow and shut down everything from buses to factories.
16. Cleveland Has an Official Rock Anthem
It’s “Cleveland Rocks” by Ian Hunter—adopted after its use as the Drew Carey Show theme song.
17. The Guardians of Traffic Statues Almost Got Demolished
During bridge renovations, crews debated removing them—but public outcry helped save these iconic Art Deco figures.
