Abandoned things and places are abundant in Cleveland. From factories to schools, these places have sat, in some cases for decades, to decay. Whether it be the architecture or former economic influence, these places offer a way back to the past. Of the many locations in Cleveland, there is a wide variety of places to go, one of the most notable being America’s oldest juvenile detention center.
Between 1920 and 1929, the Cleveland Foundation funded a study of the criminal justice system of Cleveland, specifically juvenile court and detention practices. Community reaction to this study led to a bond issue being passed in 1929, starting the construction of a juvenile detention facility separate from existing facilities. Opening in December 1931, the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center provided court, detention, and child welfare services. The facility would soon become a model for juvenile detention practices across America.
The facility would operate well for numerous decades, though a rapidly increasing caseload would lead to changes in the system and overcrowding. Around the 80s, further changes in juvenile law and overcrowding would lead to the implementation of additional services such as home detention and shelter care. Further increasing caseload, peaking at 400,000 in the 90s and likely increasing after, led to the idea of an even larger detention facility coming to reality. In 2011, the construction of a new juvenile justice facility would cause the closure of the nearly 100-year-old building.
After its closing, the building would be subject to the removal of asbestos, a large fence around it, and an unsolved arson incident. Apart from that, the former Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center has sat to rot for 14 years. Sometime in March, Cuyahoga County will decide whether or not to approve a 6.8 million dollar grant to fund the demolition and redevelopment of the site.
The outside of the building is fully encased by a tall fence, though there are various access points. The first-floor windows and outside doors are all boarded to prevent entry, but after years of abandonment, some vandals have forcefully made their way through most of the locks, fences, and doors around the inner courtyard area. Entrances into the building are through forcefully opened doors around the overgrown and trash-strewn center courtyard.
The inside is less trashed compared to many other spots in Cleveland, though it’s still plastered with dirt, trash, graffiti, and waste. One noticeable quality is the lack of relics like furniture, likely removed around the same time as the asbestos abatement. The quality of graffiti is relatively uniform throughout, with much of it being small tags and weiner drawings, though there are a couple more complex pieces in some spots. The building’s three floors and basement follow a similar scheme, with long hallways lined with office-esque rooms leading to classrooms or cell blocks.
Throughout the building are larger areas like courtrooms or the cafeteria. Every room has windows that lock and used to have doors that open from one side and automatically lock, though most door handles and locking mechanisms are gone now. The classrooms featured a chalkboard and windows to the opposite classroom. The offices contain nothing. The cell blocks have a large central floor with the cells lining the edges of the space. There are three courtrooms scattered about the building. One courtroom is in the basement, another on the first floor, and one I could not find. They are like any other courtroom, featuring a stand for the judge and whoever they may call to it, as well as space for seating and holding cells.
The kitchen, gymnasium, and cafeteria are empty except for graffiti and a moldy painting in the cafe. There is a stark contrast in the architecture of the building. Areas like the front lobby and courtrooms have designs on pillars and ceilings. The rest of the place resembles a school mixed with a jail, characterized by soft tile ceilings, space for fluorescent tube lights, and a lack of color. Years of weathering led to some of the wood in the building rotting out and mold growth, especially on upper levels. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fully explore the maze-like complex due to time, size, and safety.
Since 2011, this building has stood abandoned, providing a destination for explorers and squatters. Pending a nearly seven-million dollar grant, Cuyahoga County plans to demolish the center despite its historic significance and potential to repurpose it. The former Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center stood for nearly 100 years before its closure, bringing with it jobs, justice, detention, and welfare. Even after closing its doors, the center still provides a roof and walls for squatters and a memorable adventure for explorers.
