Real Estate Developer Pays Tribute to Lakewood

L.H. Heister, Jr. was an “allotment operator” or real estate developer in 1918 when Lakewood’s housing boom was in full swing. He subdivided the tract of land that he named “Sylvanhurst” (north of Lake Avenue between Summit Ave. and Lakewood Park), pricing the lots low enough for the ordinary citizen to build a home close to the lake. He went on to purchase acreage and sell nearly 400 lots that were springing up along the Madison streetcar line. Writing for the Lakewood Press in March of 1918, Mr. Heister shared his opinion of the young city: “I know of no section in or around Cleveland that has the wonderful opportunities to develop that Lakewood has.  Very low priced, but high class real estate, modern up-to-date and efficient schools and high schools--three street car lines one-half mile apart, progressive city officials who work harmoniously together, no better fire department or police department in the country.  The very best class of people on earth live in Lakewood.”