CLEVELAND — New Life at Calvary Church has bounced back after the 2023 tornado that caused major damage to its historic building at East 79th Street and Euclid Avenue. Now, the church is sharing more of its history with the community — including its connection to The Wizard of Oz.

Margaret Hamilton was born in Cleveland in 1902. If you don’t recognize the name, you probably know the role: she played the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 classic.

Cleveland native and author Don Billie has written a book about Hamilton and her Cleveland roots.

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“I’m always hearing people say, ‘I didn’t know she was from Cleveland,’” Billie said. He first learned about Hamilton while working on another history project years ago.

“She came from a prominent family and attended Hathaway B

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