IT IS SUMMER - FER SHURE: This is our oasis in Vermilion. When the weather is sweltering (as it is this weekend) our place stays nice and cool 'neath the pretty maple on Oakwood Drive.
As homes go ours isn't very old. It was the first home built in what was called the Allendale Estate subdivision created by Conrad Neiding in 1963. I used to play in the field where our home stands when I was a youngster. This is located just off Edson Street between Jefferson Street and Edson Creek on the west side of Vermilion. The wood along Edson Creek extends from the Norfolk-Western Railroad tracks south of what used to be the Nickle Plate Railroad - and still as it was when I was a boy. Local resident, Tom Williams, owns much (if not all) of it.
Edson Street (again, when I was young) was called Thompson Street. I know not when the name changed. Making a rather wide/wild claim I would submit that the name "Thompson" was applied because the area from what is now the Vermilion Intermediate School westward was once the Thompson Family Farm.
Old folk about the city will know that the road ended at Edson Creek. It, most likely, wasn't until sometime in the 1930's that (first) a footbridge was constructed that would allow children living west of the creek an easier path to school. That, obviously, developed into the existing road.
This weeks "Views" is going to be short and sweet due to my unusual schedule this weekend. I need be two (or three) places simultaneously. This should be very interesting...
NOKOMIS PARK: All but lost now to present day citizens of Vermilion are the various names of developments in our city. To the west (of course) was Bluebird Beach with its wonderful street names (i.e. Road to Happiness, Blissful Road, etc.). And come in toward town from the east was Sunnyside, Vermilion-On-The-Lake, Elberta Beach, and then Nokomis Park.
This pic, of course, is Nokomis when rather young (not new). The large house to the left in the photo is familiar. A friend of mine, Tom, now owns the place. I note that several of the houses that now sit behind Tom's place were not yet built when my grandfather, P. Roscoe, shot this picture. Looking at those specific homes today I would not have guessed that they are as new (a very relative term) as they actually are (according to this photo).
The homes in the park are a mixture of what used to be summer cottages with some permanent homes sprinkled throughout. Here, again, the street names are interesting; Ewa Yea, Minnie Wa Wa, etc. At the northeast edge of the development there is/was a large hotel/boarding house called Nokomis Manor. I've no idea how the building is now being used - but it is still there.
At one time Nokomis had one of the best swimming beaches in Vermilion. The July 4th Flood of 1969 changed that forever. Not much is left now.
OLYMPICS: Hither have we a couple of Olympic Outing Club members enjoying a nice summer day in the 1950's. This is a photo of Pat and John Fogarty (the other lady in the photo I can't identify).
Pat and John had a large family and lived on the near west side of Cleveland until John retired. At that time the couple followed their dream and purchased a nice home in the Valleyview section of Vermilion, Ohio. They are great people. Both are very active in their church and our community. John also stays active in helping the homeless in Cleveland. They are wonderful people.
Vermilion needs to thank the Olympic Club for its contributions (of good people) to our community.
A RIDE ON THE LSE: This is rather interesting. For some time now I've been curious as to the path the Lake Shore Electric Railroad followed as it left Vermilion's westside (Decatur Street) departing from the Liberty Avenue course.
Gary Dropko, who is living with his mother, Connie, in Bluebird Beach gave me these plat maps that show the course of the electric through that area. I apologize for the quality of the scanned artifact - but there's not enough room on the webpage to display it in more detail. The real map is 2 by 3 feet. So it was a task to scan, and then to stitch back together.
The essence of the map illustrates that the road passed through the west side of Bluebird Beach from the lake, crossed W. Shore Road, and then turned west and ran parallel with what were then the New York Central railroad tracks.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS: This photo, from L.S.E. historian Dennis Lamont, shows an electric waiting on what was known as the Lake Siding just a bit west of Edson Creek. This is the siding that the Niles Car 152 missed causing a serious accident early 20th century near Bluebird Beach.
JUST PAST LAKE SIDING: This Lamont photo is one that I had seen before this week, but had not fully understood. This is just west of the Lake Siding (just mentioned). It shows just how close to the lake that the electric ran as it moved toward Bluebird. For some reason I had the impression that it never ran this close to the lake.
Former Vermilionite, Bruce Eldridge who now lives in Elyria, tried to tell me that this was so - but I discounted his thoughts (until now).
This, in essence, means that the electric had a substantial curve ahead of it before it joined the NYC tracks just pass Bluebird. That curve, no doubt, also lent itself to the Niles tragedy.
ADAMS STREET CROSSING: I make a rather wide assumption (here) that his is a photo of a train coming toward the Adams Street Crossing (along side the NYC) where it will turn a bit to the north to the lake, pass Bluebird, and then head into the Village of Vermilion, Ohio. This is a find (from Dennis Lamont) and a first for me. A great great photograph.
AN OVERVIEW: In this picture the LSE is long gone. It was probably captured in the 1950's. But one can still see the course of the road as it passed Adams Street and moved westward along the NYC. Also of interest are the two LSE cars in the yard of the home in the photo. The one nearest the homestead in the pic is now the property of Dennis Lamont and will, hopefully, be placed back into service in Lorain where I will finally get to ride an electric (for real).
WHAT'S A FOOT: This weekend (today 6-25) is Historic Vermilion Inc's Summerfare. This includes a BBQ Chicken Dinner, Antiques in Exchange Park, the Maritime Museum's Antique Car and Boat Show, and Corvette Show on Main Street. I hope the weather cooperates.
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 today, June 25th, at the Vermilion Boat Club, 7:00 PM to ?. 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." I hope these folks have a great time.
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 14, June 25, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant