Hopkins, William Rowland, 1869-1961

First City Manager of Cleveland, Ohio (1916-1929). A major accomplishment of his administration was the development of the Cleveland Municipal Airport, which was opened in 1925 and renamed after him in 1951.

From the description of Papers, 1849-1931, bulk 1924-1929. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 17383351

William Rowland Hopkins (1869-1961) was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the fifth son of David L. Hopkins. The family immigrated to the United States from Wales where the family was experienced in the iron industry. David Hopkins moved his family to Alliance, Ohio, when William was two years old. When he was five years old, the family moved to Newburgh, Ohio (later annexed to Cleveland) where David Hopkins worked in the iron mills to provide an education for his eight sons. The oldest son, Jefferey, became an influential minister in Cincinnati. Thomas became a successful accountant, at one time serving as the government auditor to the Philippines. Evan obtained a law degree and became dean of the Law School at Western Reserve University in Cleveland. George, a physician, established a clinic for the working men of Newburgh, Oho. Martin was an executive in the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company and the Upson Nut Company. Ben was a manufacturer, railroad builder, and civic leader. The eighth son, Arthur, became a leading theatrical producer.

By 1896, William Hopkins was a councilman in the city of Cleveland. He demonstrated his concern for the working class by sponsoring an ordinance to reduce street car fares. He was also directly involved in the growth of industry in Cleveland. In 1905, he and his brother Benjamin laid out factory districts for new plants. At the same time, they promoted the building of the Belt Line Railroad which ran nineteen miles through the new industrial section. This line carried much of the heavy industrial traffic and supplemented the other railroad lines in the Cleveland area.

William Hopkins' career took still another twist in 1916 when a committee was selected to consider the possibility of installing the city manager form of government in Cleveland. The plan was approved, and Cleveland became the first large city in the United States to implement the system. The City Council elected William Hopkins the first City Manager of Cleveland.

As City Manager, William Hopkins was concerned with providing services to Cleveland's citizens - clean, well-planned streets, adequate lighting, fire and police protection, cultural activities, parks, and recreation. He had a number of important ideas including a subway, a plan that was not undertaken. A great deal of his time was spent more successfully developing the Cleveland Municipal Airport, which opened in 1925. It was named after him in 1951. He had plans for a second airport to be located on the lakefront, but this was not realized until twenty years later.

William Hopkins remained Cleveland's City Manager until 1929. His successor was Daniel Morgan. By this time, however, the city manager plan affronted many of the politicians who had lost much of their power to the city manager. The enthusiasm of many reformers and of the general public had also waned during these years, and the city manager plan was abandoned in 1931.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for William Rowland Hopkins

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport

From the guide to the William Rowland Hopkins Papers, 1849-1931, 1924-1929, (Western Reserve Historical Society)