In 1976, the bridge was entered into the National Register of Historic Places. The historians note that figures hold in their hands a hay rake, a covered wagon, a stagecoach, a passenger automobile and four types of trucks. Each pylon has two sculptured stylized figures, which symbolize the progress in transportation, according to CSU. On the four corners of the bridge stand a pylon. According to the team, Hope’s father was a Cleveland-area stonemason. The bridge was originally named the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, but was later renamed after entertainer Bob Hope. On Friday, the club hired Tom Hanks to announce the franchise’s new name on social media, which will go into effect at the end of the season. While ‘Indians’ will always be a part of our history, our new name will help unify our fans and city as we are all Cleveland Guardians.”

“It brings to life the pride Clevelanders take in our city, and the way we fight together for all who choose to be part of the Cleveland baseball family. “‘Guardians’ reflects those attributes that define us while drawing on the iconic Guardians of Traffic just outside the ballpark on the Hope Memorial Bridge,” team owner Paul Dolan said in a press release. According to historians from Cleveland State University, the bridge was completed in 1932 after three years of planning followed by two years of construction. The Guardians of Traffic statues along the Hope Memorial Bridge have long protected motorists coming to and from Cleveland's downtown. So why did choose to become the “Guardians” after the 2021 season? CLEVELAND - The team currently known as the Cleveland Indians said they had 1,198 potential club nicknames to choose from.

Cleveland guardians of traffic art