HOW THINGS DEVELOP: The church pictured above is a drawing by the the late Paul Asheral (sp?) of the very first church in Vermilion Village. This church stood on the site now occupied by the Millet Auction House on south Main Street next to the Vermilion Township Hall. Some of the bricks from this church were used in the construction of the existing structure.
This church was built on Lot 130 in the village public square. It was 60 feet in length, 45 feet wide, and 27 feet high. It cost about $2000 to build.
On December 20, 1843 the Reverend Mr. J.W. Goodell formally dedicated the church before an audience that filled the balcony, main floor, and spilled out to the porch of the building.
Next to the church, where the townhall now stands, stood Vermilion's schoolhouse (District No.1).
My attention here is drawn to Reverend Goodell, and through him to his daughter, Phoebe, and her husband, Holden Judson. Both Phoebe and Holden came to adulthood and were married in Vermilion. Holden was born here. Phoebe and her twin sister, Mary, were (contrary to common belief) born in Canada.
In 1853 Phoebe, Holden, and their baby daughter, Annie, left Vermilion and joined a wagon train which took them to what is now the State of Washington. In 1925 a 95 year old Phoebe Goodell Judson published an account of her life journey in a book entitled A Pioneer's Search For An Ideal Home. It is, historically, an important document.
Last week, through an intial contact with a Lynden, Washington Library reference librarian, I contacted a Mary Michaelson Assistant Curator of the Lynden (Washington) Pioneer Museum in search of a reasonably good photo of Phoebe and Holden Judson. My intent was/is to write a story about Phoebe and Holden, and I thought a picture would be of interest with any article I would do.
As fate would have it Ms. Michaelson told me: "My speciality is doing research about the early origins of the town (Lynden) and especially anything that pertains to the Judsons. I do a lot of my work in libraries, newspapers, other museums and archives. I have traveled twice down to Olympia to research the period between 1853, when they arrived across the Oregon Trail to 1870, when they pulled up stakes and began their new life here in the Nooksack River Valley...".
And, quite frankly, I've found this to be a bigger story than I thought. It is, in fact, a journey. In time you will see what I mean.
On another matter - an archeologist from the Great Lakes Historical Society called me this week looking for information re: the lake floor beneath the water off Sherod Park.
For some time now I've had a letter in my possession from a man named Albert Kuhl from Berlin Heights that talks about iron ore being mined on what used to be the John Rhinemiller place on the former Kuhl farm.
This relates to the water of the Sherod beach because Mr. Kuhl recalls that "stone for the furnace at Furnace Corners was picked up at the Hahn farm east of Vermilion, just west of Oak Point..." Kuhl's uncle, Charles Hahn, told him that "they came with barges for the stone from Vermilion and from Vermilion to the furnace in wagons." He states that, "There used to be a huge hotel for men who were building log rafts of the White Oak timber in the area in the field west of the Sheron farm. When I was a boy it was still there. No doubt it's in the lake now..."
The archeologist discovered timbers from the barges in the waters off Sherod Park.
Initially, I had little idea about the meaning of Kuhl's letter, but now it begins to fall into place.
These are some examples of how things develop for me in my re-discovery of local history.
THE IONA: This is a rather well known Pearl Roscoe photograph of Tom Ball's Iona in front of his boat house just north of the Vermilion Waterworks. Mr. Ball was (I believe) the first commodore of the Vermilion Boat Club. His vessel (Iona) was regularly used as the official boat club boat. It appears in many photos of the harbor. I believe it was the boat that met aviator Tony Jannus when he landed on the waters off Linwood Park beach.
If I'm not mistaken Ball's heritage goes back a very long way in Vermilion history. I've not traced it yet, but it should be an interesting task.
Of some further interest in this pic are the fish tugs docked along the water by the Kishman boathouses. Those unfamiliar with the size of the fishing industry in Vermilion are afforded a better idea of it by seeing this pic.
VERMILION SCOUTING: 1950: I'm guessing, but I believe this Paul Ludlow photo of folks receiving the Scout Charter for Vermilion's Boy Scout Troop 313 was taken in the basement of the Congregational Church (mentioned as now being Millet's Auction House in the first article).
Most, if not all, the gentlemen in this picture are now gone; Nelson Parsons, (my old buddy) Lloyd Owens, Ron Neiding, and a very young looking Dean Rapprich.
The pic was probably taken in that which would become my second grade classroom (in the church) one or two years later.
THE SAME PLACE: I don't know much of the history of these businesses. You see what I see. What I do note is that when Harvey had the place it appears to be somewhat larger that it was when it was Foster's Boathouse.
The Harvey image is c. 1909. (Again guessing) methinks the Foster image predates it. Both photos, of course, were taken before the bridge was moved to its present location some yards to the north. But its the same place.
I'm forever in awe of the size of the home behind the boathouse. I remember the structure, but it never seemed (to me) to be as large as it looks in pictures. Memories can really be deceptive.
WHAT'S SHAKIN': This weekend (6-17,18 &19) is Vermilion's Festival of the Fish (sans many fish). Next Saturday Historic Vermilion (Inc.) will hold an antique auto show, Chicken BBQ, and street dance by the Great Lakes Historical Museum on Main Street. There will also be an antique boat show at the waterworks.
Family day at Linwood Park, when a car load is $20. is now extended to Mondays through Thursdays June through August.
Also, visit (or re-visit) the Hope Children's Home site linked below because there are some additions there that you might find interesting.
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.
Shelly Clipson Shock from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 20th reunion will be held on Saturday, June 25th at the Vermilion Boat Club, 7:00 PM to ? Cost is 30 dollars per person, includes meal and bar. Please contact Karen Williams-Rossi to submit money. Family picnic will be held on Sunday, June 26th at Mill Hollow Park. Cost is 5 dollars per family. Please bring a side dish or dessert. The main dish and beverages will be provided.. 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 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.3, Issue 13, June 18, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant