In a decade defined by both hardship and progress, The Albert M. Higley Company was able to adapt to the changing country. While able to continue working throughout the Great Depression, we were motivated to look outside of Ohio for work. Completing projects in Indiana, New York and Illinois, Higley was beginning to expand throughout the region.

Right at the start of the decade, the company completed its 100^th contract, finishing up work on the Curtiss Wright Airport. To honor the servicemen of World War I, the Indiana War Memorial Plaza project marks one of the first out of state projects completed by the company. By the end of the decade, Higley Construction was awarded the historic and still standing Cleveland Coast Guard Station.

With over 500 projects being completed within this decade, much of our work focused on the public, retail, and industrial markets. Many well-known companies sought Albert Higley’s expertise on completing quality work. Sherwin Williams, Goodyear, General Electric and Sears were all clients throughout the 1930s.

Throughout the decade, the city of Cleveland battled the effects of the Great Depression. Inspired by the Chicago World’s Fair, the idea of the Great Lakes Exposition was born. The Exposition was meant to highlight the growth of the region throughout the 1800’s. Running throughout the summers of 1936 and 1937, Higley Construction completed 10 projects for the Exposition including the Parade of The Years, Pirchner’s Alpine Village, and the Horticultural Garden Fountain. Now almost 100 years later, we are still completing projects on the same site of the Exposition with our work at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The 1930s were a time of economic difficulties, but also remarkable resilience and growth. Albert Higley was committed to maintaining our values and vision throughout these times. By the end of the decade the Depression was over, and the world was beginning to change.