February 13th: A Higbees History

Our February speaker will be Cleveland author, Mr Jim Toman. Mr. Toman will be discussing his latest book on Cleveland area history, “A Higbees History: From Designer Labels to Casino Tables”.

James A. Toman was born in a southeast suburb of Cleveland. At an early age, he became fascinated with the city’s streetcars. With time, his interests broadened to encompass many aspects of Cleveland history. One result of that interest was his co-founding Cleveland Landmarks Press in 1980 to publish books about the city’s history. He has authored or co-authored 22 books on various Cleveland topics, particularly those relating to the downtown district and to public transportation.   In 2007 concern for the city prompted him to join with others in creating the Cleveland Landmarks Press Foundation to support efforts to alleviate poverty and advance the cultural life of Cleveland. Toman holds a doctorate in education/clinical counseling. After 43 years in the teaching fielding in which he worked as a teacher, counselor, and administrator, he retired in 2006.   His last educational post was as dean of the Social Sciences/Human Services Division of Lorain County Community College.

Author or co/author of books on aspects of local history:

The Terminal Tower Complex, (with Dan Cook) 1980

Cleveland Municipal Stadium, (with Dan Cook) 1981

Cleveland’s Changing Skyline, (with Dan Cook) 1984

Years in Passing, (with Nelson Callahan) 1986

Shaker Heights Rapid Transit, 1990

Cleveland Stadium, Sixty Years of Memories, 1991, 1994

Horse Trails to Regional Rails, (with Blaine Hays) 1996

Cleveland’s Transit Vehicles, (with Blaine Hays) 1996

Cleveland Stadium: The Last Chapter, (with Greg Deegan)1997

Fumble: The Browns, Modell, and the Move, (with Mike Poplar)1997

The Heart of Cleveland: Public Square in the 20th Century (with Greg Deegan) 1999

When Cleveland Had a Subway (with James Spangler) 1999

Cleveland Transit Through the Years (with Blaine Hays) 1999

Euclid Avenue, Cleveland’s Sophisticated Lady, 2003 (with Richard Karberg)

Cleveland and its Streetcars, (with James Spangler) 2005

A Shaker Rapid Album, (with James Spangler) 2005

Vintage Cleveland, 2008

A Euclid Beach Park Album, 2010

The Peter Witt Streetcars of Cleveland (with James Spangler) 2011

Transit in the Triangle; Pittsburgh, 1900-2000 Voume I; (with Blaine Hays) 2012

Vintage Cleveland II (with Greg Deegan and Dan Cook) 2012

A Higbee History: From Designer Labels to Casino Tables (with Richard Karberg and Jay Miller) 2013

All Hudson Heritage Association general meetings are free and open to the public and will be held at the Barlow Community Center in Hudson, unless otherwise noted. The meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude with refreshments.

To confirm times and locations as dates get nearer please check our website for Upcoming Events at hudsonheritage.org or for more information, call 330-342-7996. Speakers and topics are subject to change.