AUTUMN 2005: This is Harborview - the Great Lakes Marine Museum - yesterday afternoon in the sunshine. This picture doesn't make it look like a museum though. It looks more like the house it once was; a home.
For those who are interested (like my friend, K, in Maryland) I just noticed that the beautiful williow that once stood at the corner of this property and the beach is gone. I don't know what fool thought that it should be removed - but it is gone. (God forbid that something doesn't look new and prim and proper.) The botanical Nazi's are a foot.
But that's life isn't it?
It's Autumn in Vermilion, Ohio.
ANOTHER MANSE: Local lumber magnate, George Fischer, built this home along Liberty Avenue next to his lumber yard on the river in the very late 19th or early 20th century.
The PRoscoe portrait captured here was likely sometime in the 1930's. And it's odd - but the size of the home isn't very apparent in this particular picture. It was quite substantial. For those who don't remember the house it stood along the river between the property now owned by the Vermilion Boat Club (to the east), and the Fishermen's Bend Condominiums (on the northwest bend of the river).
George Fisher's Lumber Company was a major player in the development of the village. Once upon a time the virgin hardwood in the area was beyond compare. And when much of that was gone George went south and imported wood from the forests of Kentucky and surrounding states.
A major fire in (I think) the late 1930's destroyed the riverside company, and it was never entirely rebuilt. His son, Elton, moved the mill across the street. I'm guessing (of course) but it was probably in the area of what is now the property of the Buyer's Fair.
George's great granddaughter, Nancy, who now lives in Massachusetts e-mailed me after seeing some things on the net about her family, and I sent her this photo.
Interesting. Very interesting.
CLARENCE: This is a pic come to me from local resident Jim Smith. It was taken in the livingroom of his parents' (Sterling's and Mary's) home at the far west end of South Street. I don't know who was responsible for taking some of the snaps that were the Smiths' - but more than a few of them have an artistic quality about them. This is one. If I said nothing more about it I believe it could stand by itself as an interesting photograph.
The gentleman pictured may be Clarence Maurer.
I really can't say too much about him (at this time) because I don't know a great deal about him. I recognize him. I knew him. And I knew him as I knew/know most of the Maurer Family: they are exceptionally friendly, industrious, and intelligent folk. Clarence was likely a player in the family dairy business.
That particular enterprise lasted into the 1970's when it was purchased by the Reiter Dairy people. That was a corporate move, not unlike many that occurred and still occur in our nation, wherein the small competitors were bought up, and heralded the beginning of the end of small business corporations in the United States of America.
This photo was taken before all that took place. Perhaps it should bear the title of Crossroads; where the new, burgeoning, corporate America [symbolized by the book] of the future crosses paths with the expertise of the seasoned businessman of the past.
ROBB: This is a nice photo of Vermilion expatriot Robb Jones in Madrid, Spain where he is now a citizen. Robb, lest it escape anyone, is a musician. He works with four groups, and travels to London, Ireland, Portugal, and New York City for performances.
Robb is seated (in the background) and Garret Wall, from Ireland, is the singer. In this particular pic they are performing at Cafe La Palma in Madrid.
Robb is the oldest son of Vermilionites Jim and Gara Jones.
His career has certainly taken him a long long way from VHS. We will, undoubtedly, hear more about him in the future.
NILES 152: I recently received this new angle photograph of the Wreck of The Niles #152 from Interurban historian, Dennis Lamont last week. It was added to the page with the story of the "Niles" directly.
Dennis and fellow historican, Al Doane of Lorain (I love using that line because it rimes.) while they were scanning slides in Norwalk. I really appreciate the fact that Dennis and Al keep me up on their work. They're really good at it.
Among several things I find of interest because of this picture is (1) the fellow in the derby. He appears on both photographs. And I wouldn't normally see anything significant about it after seeing him in a single picture - but I believe I can now safely assume that he is a Lake Shore Electric official. I i-d him as being one Furman Stout who was General Superintendent of the line. But I could be wrong. It might actually be another official named Milt Trueman. I have some comparative models - however - after working with historical items for a little bit of time I've grown cautious. I'd rather get it right before I write something in granite.
The 2nd item of interest in the picture is the geographic location shown. After looking and looking and looking at this angle I believe that it is just north of Lake Erie, right at what is now Bluebird Beach, and just before the rails began to curve to the west at Adams Street. This photo was taken looking north (almost northwest).
Sometimes I have this overwhelming (and stupid) compulsion to want to reach out and turn the camera to the right, left, and backwards, to see exactly where a photo was taken. It's frustrating. But it's fun.
JOTHAM: I have studied the face of this gentleman (pictured) for a long time. I have read with interest his sermon given when he dedicated Vermilion's new church in 1843. And I have read with more interest 9 letters he wrote to the Oregonian (newspaper) in 1852 about the winter he spent with the Mormons during his (then) recent journey to the northwest. My, oh my, what a very interesting person was Jotham Weeks Goodell.
I know that much has been written and said about the Goodell-Judson families. And I know that much more will follow. But I am compelled to interject that what is of real import here is the perspective afforded by his writing and the course of his life. At one point in his writing he states, "God bless the paper bridges over which we can talk to our loved ones." That, friends, is a vast understatement. Jotham's words, thoughts, and actions have bridged time itself. His "loved ones" are not only those close to him, but are those thousands of miles and hundreds of years hence. Amazing!
WHAT'S A FOOT:Here's a news flash for folks who live in other places and climes: WalMart is planning to build a superstore on Route #60 just south of Route #2 - across from the Holiday Inn. This, of course, is in the township. How it will affect the future of the town remains to be seen. But it will have some future impact that is likely to be significant.
The Vermilion Area Archival Society 2006 Historic Calendar featuring Vermilion's fishing industry is now available at several locations around Vermilion for $5.00.[Maryann's Beauty Salon; Brummer's Candy Store; Vermilion YMCA] These are new calendars that feature Vermilion's fishing industry. Anyone interested in one of the calendars can also contact me. Shipping and handling costs run about $1.35.
Also note that there are (unfortunately) some mistakes on the calendar. The name of Sue Backus under the "Business and Corporate Sponsors" heading is spelled incorrectly. And the month of March is listed incorrectly as being "2005". The days of the actual month, however, are correct for 2006.
Also, visit (or re-visit) the Hope Children's Home site linked below because there are some additions there that you might find interesting. With all the bad things happening on the "dark continent" it's really nice to know that there are some places where the light does shine brightly. Please keep in mind that the needs of Hope Children's Home are on-going. Contributions to that home may be made to Larry Hohler in New York.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES: Bruce Eldridge tells me that: "We are planning the 45th at the AMvets Hall on route 60 in Vermilion. The date will be July 22, 2006. Bruce Eldridge, John Hunter and Bob Wolford will serve as chairmen with the committee consisting of Buzzy Young, Shirley Mayer, Sue Opperman, Judy Gutman, Denny Owen as well as Tom and Judy Williams." Their website can be found at the following link: Classes of '60 to '62.
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.
This week I changed the URL for Roger's site as he requested. There were some minor problems with it. But now things should be okay.
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.
Right now things in this area are (as is obvious) rather slow...
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 27, September 24, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant