TAKING SHAPE: And Vermilion's newest park, Rotary Centennial Park, begins to take shape. The park is not a physical recreation site - at least it is not apparent as such - but is more of a sightseer, relaxation-type place. It affords one a very nice view of the river and city landmarks that have never been readily available before. It will be a nice addition to the city.
Below is a photograph of the Lake Shore Electric bridge abutment that is on the river bank just below the park. As one can see this landmark could easily be overlooked if some note of it were not made.
Ergo; hither is the note that will appear on a plaque from the Ohio Historical Society and the Vermilion Area Archival Society to be placed in the park later this summer.
Hopefully, this will help folks understand the real import of this rather mundane looking chunk of concrete located on the bank of the Vermilion River beneath the old water-tower.
The Lake Shore Electric Railway system had tremendous impact on the development of all communities from Clevland to Toledo on the southern coast of Lake Erie. And - poof - it just disappeared!
This bridge abutment is among the few landmark relics of "The Greatest Electric Railway in (these) United States" left.
Trust me folks - this is of great historic import.
Looking ahead it would be more than appropriate for the community of Vermilion, Ohio to also recognize the fact that it was the birthplace of Lester A. Pelton,The Father of Hydroelectric Power. How, or why, folks in our community fail to understand the import of that fact is something that flys in the very face of good reason. People all over the world know who Lester Pelton is - but few local citizens have ever heard of him.
Go figure.
THE MARTIN BOYS: This pic has appeared here before. But it took some time to identify exactly who is who in the it. Thanks to G.P.'s daughter, Jill Young, that has now been accomplished.
It is my intention to do a more in-depth piece on these men (in another forum), but I like to give "Viewers" first viewing (to be redundantly redundant) of these things - as well as access to the information that has come to me. This photo, of course, is that of all the Martin brothers - all 9 of them.
Jill also passed along an anecdote about them that is highly amusing. Ironically, I have heard similar stories. But this is the real one:
Here is a story that has been passed down though the family about my grandfather. Living in a house with 9 boys must not have been easy and one night when the kids were being rowdy my grandfather marched them up to bed. He yelled "Get upstairs to bed all you boys!" When he heard a cry coming form top of the stairs he asked,"Who's that? Why are you crying?" A timid voice said, "Mr. Martin, can I go home now?" My grandfather neglected to do a head count and sent one of the neighbor hood boys to bed with his own kids. (The neighbor's name was Ed Burr.)
Neat!
LOYOLA: This pic has also appeared here before. I do believe that the last one had a message written in Czech. This one appears to have one written in German.
The card bears a date of 6.12.1912 and, as one can see, suggests that there was a place called "Loyola-On-The-Lake" in Vermillion, O.
I have been asked as to the location of this place more than once over the last few years. Assuming that I might have missed something I went to Loyola University looking for some explanation - and found none. No mention. Nothing.
Due to the apparent large size of this structure it is difficult for me to believe that anyone, anywhere would have forgotten it.
Some folks believe that it might be the large building at Beulah Beach. I do not.
It is my belief that the building never existed in this area. This belief is based on the fact that there is absolutely no mention of it in any published history of the area that I have ever seen.
It begs the imagination (mine, at least) to believe that an institution of such prominence and size could have existed in Vermilion, Ohio an that not one mention of it has ever been made in the writings of local historians (over the last 150 or so years).
In brief, I don't know what this was about.
1936: These folks were the 8th Grade Class at Vermilion's South Street School in 1936:
K. McLaughlin, A. DeMuth, D. Fischer, A. Sopko, L. Claus.
2nd Row
M. Smith, E. Leidheiser, B. Veres, A. Pelton, M. Ball.
3rd Row
E. Tokar, M. Rodgers, B. Seals, C. Moes, M. Snodgrass, L. Nickley.
4th Row
J. Baumhardt, A. Beiner, W. Seals, W. Coultrip, R. Burket, D. Nieding, R. Kennedy, R. Schuster.
5th Row
D. Krapp, E. Weilnau, Q. Mason, R. Marsac, K. Jeffery, H. Windlan, Mr. Calvert.
6th Row
R. Eastman, G. Haber, R. English, G. Redinger, J. Collit, E. Furgason, N. Hodgson, A. Croll.
I am amused some because I know a few of these folks - some now gone.
K. Jeffery - good old "Doc". He along with his brothers were so likeable. Margarette Ball? I believe she's still with us. But I'd never picked her out of the crowd without a guide. Bill Seals is still around. So is Gene Redinger (methinks he's still working - excavating). Earl "Sonny" Furgason is gone now. But we became fairly good friends during the last decade. And there, by gosh, is Ned Hodgson. I'd almost forgotten about him.
These photographs are just great fun.
VERMILION RED CROSS: Yet another picture that has appeared here before. This, however, is a new scan of a different photo - one that is a tad smaller than the previous one scanned.
This photo-merged scan is of much better quality, and I did a better job of repairing and enhancing it.
I will not, here, reiterated all the names of those pictured (my grandmother, Bessie Roscoe) is among them), but will tell you that this is a Rudy Moc photograph taken on the lawn of the Wakefield home know as "Harbor View" in 1919. It is not the only photograph of the Red Cross ladies in existance, but is the only one I know of that has their names listed.
[Note that I have now the ability to digitally repair, enhance, and reproduce old photographs for a reasonable consideration.]
EXTREMELY REDUNDANT: Yes, again another photo that has been on the page at a previous time. This is Lake Shore Electric Niles Car #174. It is the car that once sat on the corner of West River Road and Rolling Meadows (across the street from the road to the Olympic Outing Club). However; that's not what I want to show here. Below is a photo of the interior of the restored car.
This photo is listed as the "first class" section of the car. But methinks that it might have been the "smoker section" of the car.
In either case it really affords a great view of the interior of the car as it might have been way back when.
Someday I would like to ride in such a car - for real.
WHAT'S A FOOT: "The Music Man". It will be presented April 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 pm in the VHS auditorium. This show has many wonderful songs, lots of laughs, a fantastic set and energetic performances by over 50 VHS students along with several SMS students! It's a great evening the entire family willl enjoy. Tickets are now available at Romp's Marina Store or by calling Mrs. Carrie Gabriel at 967-4342 or 967-7884. Adults: $9, Students/Senior Citizens: $7. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door on the nights of the show.
The May (8th) meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society will be held at the Beulah Beach Hotel at 7 p.m. Beulah Beach Historian, Walter Baughman, will tell folks about the history and evolution of the Beulah Beach society.
The Vermilion Area Archival Society 2006 Historic Calendar featuring Vermilion's fishing industry is always available from myself, Sandy Neiding and Brummer's Candy Shop. While noting that these are calendars - please also note that they are collectors' items. This means that they're good for 100 years. These are new calendars that feature Vermilion's fishing industry. Anyone interested in one of the calendars can also contact me. They cost $5.00. Shipping and handling for out-of-town mailing is about $1.35. There only a few left. So get on it folks!
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.
Keep an eye out here for more activities sponsored by the "Archival Society". One significant thing coming up in the near future will be another talk with Vermilion native Hank Fischer - plus many other things. So stay with us.
Please take the time to 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: Here's some new items: Bob Ferry, is heading up the VHS Class Reunion for 1987...20 years. (More on that at a later date).
Attention VHS Class of 1976. Youur 30th Reunion is upon near! It will be on June 17th, 2006@the Vermilion Boat Club 7:30 pm to Midnight.Pass the word. You can call Janet@967-4915 with addresses of fellow classmates or Email:jantanze@aol.com. The mailing address is:VHS Class of 1976 PO Box #872 Vermilion, OH 44089.
If something changes you'll see it here.
Some folks use this page as a portal to the Classes of '60 to '62 webpage I'm placing the link back here. But it would be a very wise move if folks involved with that page made a note of its URL and posted it in their notes as well as those contacting their classmates.
I was unaware of it but more than just a few folks do use this site as a link to their respective class sites - so - here's the VHS Class of 1959's site back for your convenience too: Remember that site is located at: Class of '59 and it'll be updated it as Roger (Boughton) receives enough new pictures and information from classmates to make it worth reading. So send him any information that you would like to share with other classmates and he'll put it up for all to see and view.
It is my understanding that some of these links are not working, or not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages.
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.4, Issue 6, April 29, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant