RAMBLIN' (AGAIN): This photo of the river and the Red Clay was captured early one Saturday morning last summer. There is surely something mystical about such mornings in Vermilion. Right now tis colder than a witch's kiss in northern Ohio - but it won't be too much longer.
Big things happening to "Views" right now. In three weeks the page will be officially 2 years old (unofficially it's older). A milestone was reached yesterday when the page recorded over 15 thousand hits and the domain topped 20 thousand visitors since the stats were being recorded. This isn't any big deal when one compares it to some sites that have registered hundreds of thousands of hits. However; the appeal here isn't exactly universal.
The History of Crystal Beach page has been well received by those who've visited thus far, and within two weeks another page about Louis "Cloudy" Noel, Vermilion's happy ferryboat captain, will be added. Eventually there will be a page addressing the life and times of Captain "Big Ed" Lampe; Lake Erie Legend. But there's a final chapter that need be writ. It's not so much a question about what happened to him as it is a question of what happened to his tug The Grandon. That's key to his story. And it's missing.
But like the summer - it will be found (again).
VERY EARLY VERMILION: This picture is used in the banner that heads this electronic publication. It's nothing new except for the fact that it is the clearest copy of it that most have ever seen. It is so clear that one can nealy see the precise facial features of some of the people in it.
It is, of course, a picture of the area that is now occupied by Exchange/Rubberneck Park looking southeast at the Lake House Hotel that was situated on the southeast corner of Liberty and Division/Main Streets. It is perhaps 1890. The Lake House was eventually sold to local businessman, George Fischer. He moved it down the hill to its present location and built the big brick building which bears his name in its place on that corner.
One of the clapboard buildings in what eventually became the park belonged to Doctor Bond, and the other was the Village Sheriff's office and lock-up.
This may be the oldest photograph in existance of Vermilion. One of the many things of note in it are the buildings just to the east (left) of the old hotel. Other copies of this particular photograph don't show such detail. One has to wonder who the photographer might have been.
THE GREAT FLOOD: Hither is a great picture. It is too bad that it can't be presented as a larger photo in this forum because the detail is exquisite.
It is often foolish to presume anything about unmarked historical records, but in this case it may be safe to assume that this is a photo record of the Great Flood of 1913 along the Vermilion River. The location appears to have been from just above the Kishman Fish Houses looking east across the marsh (now the Vermilion Lagoons) toward Linwood Park.
The fish houses upriver to the right appear to be the Driscoll Houses, and just over the tops of the tugs in the background one can just make out the old river bridge that sat just north of the LSE river bridge.
The photo is so clear that the name of one of the tugs in the foreground is quite visible. It is the C.A. Mattison. The one directly to its right is the Rainbow. The boiler in at least one of the boats is working. Smoke from the smoke stack is quite visible.
This is a picture postcard loaned me by Warren and Anita Mehnert. Very nice.
I would point out that when scanning these items it's a good idea to increase both their size and resolution. The details one may discover throughout a photo can be astounding.
MISS KROPF'S CLASS: This is a dandy picture of Miss Kroph's 5th/6th Grade Class at South Street School in about 1949. It's courtesy of Dave "Chief" Croll who is of course front and center in the Paul Ludlow portrait. Dave couldn't remember everyone's name who appears in this pic [a problem I can emphathsize with completely] but gives us the following: Judy Price, Carol Carey, Peggy David, Ray Beursken, Gene Jackson, David Bentley, Lee Becker, Harriet Cicco, Donna Hall, Joan Starnes, Terry Knittle, Mary Morris, Leslie Bates, Dick Sterritt, Gilbert Olah
With the naming(s) I can put some faces to those names. I also spied my sister, Pearl "Ginny" Wilkes in the group.
The one person he named, and I couldn't spot, was Harriet "Ketty" Cicco. After he told me where to look she was easy to spot (2nd row all the way to the right).
Their teacher - who I don't see in the photo - was a favorite of mine.
THE SCHOOLHOUSE: Speaking of school here is a picture of one of Vermilion's earliest schools long after it had been a school. This particular school was originally known as The Seminary and was located in Hanover Square. When it was no longer used as a school it was moved to the site (pictured) on Grand Street across the street from the Vermilion Hardware Store. At the time of this photo it was being used as Miles Shilling's taxi-stand, little store, and living quarters. Next door was Pat Wisegarver's Trading Post antique shop. The small building just to the left at the time of this picture was being used by Dick West to store some of his plumbing equipment. And in part of the building then occupied by Pat Wisegarver (I think) that a fellow by the name of Ellis had an early electronic/TV repair business.
Eventually Glenn Fulper bought the properties and the buildings disappeared.
Just for the sake of posterity it should be known that the very fist village school was just west of what now is the very end of Vermilion's west breakwall. Another was a brick structure that was located where Millet's auction house is today. And still another was a wood building that stood where Vermilion's Township Hall is now located. All, of course, are now history.
MILL GARDENS: Folks might make a big deal out of Crystal Gardens at the old Crystal Beach Amusement Park, but it's a good bet they don't know about the Mill Hollow Gardens Dance Hall. This was news to me. But here it is.
I don't have anything on this facility. This picture from Brownhelm resident Bill Cutcher is the first I've ever heard of it. But somehow I don't believe that anyone ever thought that it would have any lasting presence in the hollow. Yet, it did have electricty, and it was of substantial size.
The bottom line probably is that it was a great deal of fun - despite the fact that Guy Lumbardo and the Dorsey brothers never played there.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES:
Ray Beursken tells me that the VHS class of 1955 has scheduled their 50th class reunion on September 10, 2005 at the Boat Club. Class members of 1955 should put this date on their calendar. They're hoping for a good turnout.
Bruce Eldridge tells me that he and John Hunter just secured the Amvets hall for their 45th 60,61 & 62 class reunion. The reunion will be Sat. July 22, 2006. John Hunter, class of 1960, will be starting a web site in May or June of 2005. Bob Wolford, class of 1961, will be sending out a letter to all the classmates who attended our 40th class reunion asking them to update their E-Mail and help find other classmates.
A gal named Shelly from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 will be having a 20 year reunion in the summer of 2005......no further details. The name of the organizer is Kim Schultz."
From Roger Boughton comes the following note: Thanks to Gail Lyon and Pat and Glenn Owen we have some additional pictures of our reunion held last October. Take a visit to our website and see what's new. Memories of this October are only a click away. Enjoy and remember.....if you send pictures we'll share with others on our website. Mary Ann is busy writing stories for her Virginia paper. You'll want to visit the site and read her thoughts on Liberty. Keep the pictures coming as classmates who were not able to attend are enjoying seeing "old" school mates. Also, you might want to send us news from and about your family and we'll include it on our web site. Our survey clearly indicated that most wanted our reunion held in Vermilion in 2009. Thus, we'll be celebrating our "special" occasion (50th Reunion) in September of 2009. Put it on your calendar and plan to join the fun. Remember our web site is located at: Class of '59 and I'll update it as as I receive enough new pictures and information from our classmates to make it worth reading. So send me any information that you would like to share with other classmates and we'll put it up for all to see and view.
I've visited Roger's website and it's fun.
Persons interested in having their VHS (and vicinity) reunion plans posted on this site are welcome to do so. I can't provide anyone with webpages to post their activities in depth, but I can provide a link to existing pages and/or post some activity items here. All anyone need do is contact me at my email address and pass along their material electronically.
I should add that some of the people who are noted in this part of the page are good resource folks for all types of information if one should be looking for some long lost friend. I won't give out contact information unless I have permission from those named, but I will contact them on your behalf if you desire.
As news regarding VHS reunion activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. There's not much going on right this moment, but stay tuned folks.
The Beat Goes On: The page is generated by the dreaded Macintosh Computer and is written and designed by (me) Rich Tarrant. It will change weekly ~ usually on Saturday. Bookmark the URL (Universal Resource Locater) and come back at your own leisure. Send the page to your friends (and enemies if you wish). If you have something to share with those who visit this page, pass it on. And if you see something that is in need of correction do the same. My sister, Nancy, is a great help in that respect. It only takes me a week to get things right. And follow the bookmarks. You might find something you like. If you experience a problem with them let me know. Also, if you want to see past editions of this eZine check the new archives links below.
Links to other sites on the Web
Vol.2, Issue 49, February 26, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant