Collinwood is a town where art and grit meet — a rose growing out of concrete. The epicenter of North Collinwood is the Waterloo Arts District, located on Waterloo Road, where visitors can marvel at art displays and enjoy local eateries. Closer to Lake Erie, North Collinwood offers an escape from the railway with parks and beaches.
During WWII, Collinwood was the most concentrated industrial area in the world. Eastern European immigrants moved to the Five Points area, seeking work at manufacturing companies such as CSX Intermodal Terminals and General Electric. Today, all major Collinwood arteries intersect in South Collinwood or Five Points, a regional hub for shopping, eating and football. The restaurants on Saint Clair Avenue and Ivanhoe Road have fed the neighborhood for decades, while Collinwood High School boasts notable alums making history in politics and athletics.