Dear Viewers: Please note that due to "improvements" being made by my ISP, CenturyTel.net, I am unable to use my e-mail account today. Consequently, no one will receive notification of today's page (4-28-07) until later today or tomorrow.
QUESTIONS ABOUT STATE STREET SCHOOL: One of the very reasons I produced the history webpages, write the Yesteryear column in the Vermilion Photojournal, and wrote me book Rich Tarrant's Yesteryear was to educate, and to be educated about the history of my hometown of Vermilion, Ohio. I have always hoped that the information would be of some use to students interested in history in general, and the history of the community of Vermilion, Ohio in particular.
While I'm not always correct - that's okay. Because there is always someone around who is able to set me on the correct path. So in the long run things DO get writ correctly. And whilst I am inclined to use (at times) words that require a dictionary (e.g. pulchritudinous instead of pretty), it is done, very simply, because it does push one toward opening a dictionary - using a dictionary - and hopefully discovering some wonderful word-things there.
So - in a like frame of mind I placed a form on this page wherein one could ask a question about local history - and I would, in turn, attempt to answer that question. Keep in mind that it does not always follow that I have the answer(s). The questions may require that I search for the answers myself. And that might take some time (as it did when "Viewer" Bob Williams asked me where the VHS colors of purple and gold came from). But I will make every attempt to discover an answer to every reasonable question asked of me. For me, the study of history is an endeavor of both discovery and re-discovery. As an old Pepsi-Cola truck driver told me in a Cleveland Heights Bar (Irv's Delicatessen) 40 years ago, "I know what I know. You know what you know. But I don't know what you know unless you tell me."
So now I come to the History Question of the Week. It appears in its entirety under the heading with the same name on the latter part of this page. So I'll not reiterate it here. Let it suffice for me to say that it is a question about the history of State Street School. Much of what follows is the answer:
I won't begin at the beginning of education in Vermilion, Ohio. But some of that information should be briefly included here. And thus it is...
Prior to 1821, when the state authorized its townships to levy taxes to support public education, Ohio's early systems were funded by the individual families of the children who attended each school. It was [logically] the custom to hire teachers according to their demonstrative academic abilities. Few had attended a college/university. And it was not unusual for some of the students to be nearly the same age as their teacher(s). Oftentimes males were the preferred teachers in the winter season because that is when the older students, who were no longer needed in the fields, returned to school and they were inclined to be of a more spirited humor. A good paycheck was 75c a week, or a quantity of corn, a beverage fermented from the corn, or some form of labor. After 1821 the townships were able to appoint a Director to make monthly inspection tours of each school and report on curriculum, attendance, and the physical condition of each building. Vermilion Township Schools were spaced some 3 miles apart and were numbered. The village school was always No. 1. Some others were: Cuddeback School, No. 2 (on the corner of Risdon and West Shore/Lake Road); Poyer School No. 7; and Crane School No. 5, etc. In 1851 Vermilion formed its first Board of Education. In many respects this activity signalled the start of our present formal education system(s). The board set uniform rules and guidelines/standards and courses of instruction that were to be applied throughout the township.
In 1873 the school system was reorganized and a capacious 4 room brick High School was built on State Street the following year. (As previously stated it cost a whopping $18,000 to build.) Students from rural areas that wished to attend this school either walked, came by horse, or found board in the village. Youngsters in the lower grades continued their schooling at the "Seminary" until new rooms were added to both the back and front of the State Street building to accommodate them. Each of the lower grades occupied one room in the building with one teacher. Gym classes and basketball games took place in a wooden outbuilding directly east of the school. For reasons unknown (at least to me) no one graduated from the school until 1889 when a class of four young ladies, Edith Leimbach (Hageman), Alice Nieding (Reimenschneider), Georgia Brummet (Daley), and Martha Forwick (Moyer) received diplomas. Graduation ceremonies were held before an ample audience in the Opera House on the 2nd story of the Vermilion Township Hall. Most of, if not all, these ceremonies were conducted in the Opera House until 1927. School supervisors prior to 1881 were a Mr. Lee, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Steele, and a Mr. Yarick. After that time J.O. Versoy assumed management of the system for 12 years, and was followed by Charles F. Gove (1896); C.W. Sloan (1899); J.C. Seeman (1910); A.L. Irey (1914 - a person you shall hear more about in the future); R.F. Sellers (1917); W.H. Mitchell (1924); and G.C. Imhoff (1926). During these years both the village and student population experienced a steady increase and the need for a new school became obvious. George Snyder (1946) was about to become Superintendent and Cletus K. DeWitt was Principal when the Vermilion Board of Education selected the Dayton, Ohio architectural firm of Walker and Norwick, along with W.A. Rabold of Canton to be architects of a new High School in mid December of 1924. Both Snyder and Dewitt (who was principal under Snyder and eventually replaced him as Superintendent) would maintain full-time teaching positions until work on the new school along East South Street was completed in 1928. When the elementary grades moved to the new school in 1939 the assumption was that Vermilion had entered the modern era of education and all the educational needs of the children had been satisfied. But that was to be only a very fleeting happenstance.
The School on State Street was renovated at least one time after it was originally constructed (as previously indicated) in 1873. This explains the reason that the year etched over the doorway now reads 1909.
During the 1950's a food seasoning manufacturing firm called Basic Foods Industries purchased the old school building and began manufacturing food seasonings in the facility. [As a sidenote I would mention that when I was a youngster and delivered newspapers in the early morning hours to homes along the street the very pungent odor(s) of the spices emanating from the factory used to upset my stomach some. It was an unpleasant odor so early in the day. Had it been around noon it wouldn't have mattered much to me.]
During the Basic Foods time in the building they added the one-story metal structure to the south side with a loading and unloading dock for trucks.
During the latter part of the 1960's or early 1970's the factory moved out of town. The owners offered to give the property to the City of Vermilion - but the city declined the offer. The Friends of Harbour Town (organization) then took them up on the offer. They have owned the building ever since.
Prior to the time the "Friends" acquired the school they had developed a fund-raising activity called The Haunted Mill that was open to the public during the Halloween Season. That activity was held inside an old grain mill that once stood where the Mill Manor Nursing Home is today. When the old mill was sold, torn-down, and the nursing home built the "Friends" decided to create a new Halloween project using the old State Street School.
This is more than likely where and how stories about persons dying in the old school house came to be. Because no deaths at either the old school nor its days as a food seasoning manufacturing plant ever took place.
Now as to the people who worked at and attending the school...
A CLASSROOM AT STATE STREET SCHOOL: This pic has previously appeared in "Views" as well as the Vermilion Photojournal. It's a wonderful photo of Miss Sahr's 2nd Grade Class taken in September of 1934 - just 5 years before the building was forever closed as a public school facility. The children pictured are:
Standing: Blanche Pero, Bob Zales, Rich Gerber, Charlie Grego, Bob Mundy, Roberta Nuhn, Margie Kelm, Nola Peasley, Miss Sahr (the teacher), Frank Furly, Leroy Sentsler. Seated Back row: Edna Linglebach, Domonic de Leonardes, David Hoag, Bob Claus, Roland Fleming, Don Fiebach, Paul Kress, Jack Ballog, John Boone, Dick Croll. Fourth Row: Shirley Barnes, Bob Trinter, Marion Stutz, Donna Rothfus, Clarance Grote. Third Row: Jo Turza, Katherine Redinger, Herbert Sennhenn, Betty Lindsley, Jimmy Mose. Second Row: Clarice Reising, Betty Coultrip, Bud Nickley, Arlene Friday, Joyce Kamps, Gene Darby, Alberta Fry. First Row: Kenny Kropf, Dick Clarey, Shirley Loucks, Virgina Kuhl, Bill Hahn.
A number of these folks are still about Vermilion today.
About the same year the above pic was taken former coach/teacher George Snyder became the Superintendent of the Vermilion School System. He was a highly respected and very popular teacher and adminstrator.
Charlie Barber and his father (before him) were the long-time custodians at State Street School. And after his father retired Charlie became the head custodian at the newly constructed South Street School. The students who attending either State or South Streeet Schools loved both of these fellows. Both died of old age at home in their respective beds after long years of service in the school system.
If State Street School is haunted by anything it is haunted by the wonderful memories of the youngsters who attended school there during the 60 some years it served as an educational institution.
However; like many things the old adage that says truth is stranger than fiction may also apply to the story of this school. That truth doesn't lie in tales of murder, suicide, nor spectres in the darkness of a delapidated building. It lies in the way people treat one another; how they misperceived an illness as immoral behavior and, consequently, injured and even ruined the lives and careers of those they misunderstood.
That's about as horrible as it gets. And that's about as horrible a story that can ever be told - anytime, anywhere.
IT'S NOT FOR ME TO SAY: Thanks to Vermilion expatriot Rell Sanderson who has transplanted himself somewhere in San Francisco I've been afforded enough material for dozens of stories about Vermilion and Vermilion's Schools.
But of all the pix made available to me this little snap that appears in the "Harbor Lights" South Street yearbook c.1954 captured my interest.
While I'm not in this pic I do identify with it. It was taken during a Junior High School dance - and I am highly amused. Add to this the music that accompanies this weeks "Views" and it all comes back...
The girls stood (essentially) on one side of the gym. The boys on the other. I recall how long it took me to work up enough nerve to ask a girl to dance. And I distinctly recall, finally, dancing with a girl to this Johnny Mathis' tune while trying my very best not to step on the girls toes.
I'd be willing to bet that not much has changed since that time. But it's not for me to say - is it?
VERY STRANGE: There is probably little doubt that when this ashtray appeared on tables in the area of Vermilion, Ohio that anything seemed out of order.
But fast forward several decades and there seems something rather odd about the message written on it:
A few hundred years from now someone digging through an old archeological site may happen upon this relic and truly wonder what it mens. Why would a people concerned about their health be inhaling smoke?
It will be one of history's mysteries.
LAKELESS IN VERMILION: This photo (in various stages of improvement) has also appeared in past issues of "Views". I may be imagining things - but it does seem to be more focused (less blurry) than previous copies of the same pic. Here the software plugin InFocus is being applied to make the view more legible. The other software effect (of coloring) was simply a whimsical flourish to a frustrating problem.
But it appears that the old Balogh home near the Main Street Beach is better defined. That particular building is long gone - but it is of particular interest to me. That may be due to the fact that it is no more.
Nonetheless; this is an unusual photograph. Someday I will bring it into good focus.
PODCAST #21: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #21Vermilion Views Podcast #21 features the third portion of the talk given the Vermilion Area Archival Society on April 9th by local resident Nettie Bogart Welch. There is also 6th in a series of readings from Vermilion historian Betty Trinter's wonderful book The Way It Was, and the innocuous 2nd Stanza of poet John Keats great poem Ode On To A Nightengale. Feel free to collect/download these readings and place them on a disc for listening at a later time. If you have the equipment it would be relatively easy to edit them (cut out the misc. stuff) and just keep what ye might find interesting.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): From a young Vermilionite named Erin/Erynn Triplett comes the following question:
Hi Rich, I have some questions about the State Street school. I went to Ritter public Library and didn't find any information that helped me, so a librarian suggested that I contacted you. I am sure you've heard all the spooky stories about the place. I probably don't have enough fingers and toes to count all of the stories I have heard. Although most (if not all of them )are bogus,I have to admit that the whole thing catches my interest. My friends and I are believers in ghosts and spirits, so when I started hearing all of the stories about the school, I wanted to find out the truth. I have heard that a few people died in that building. Someone once told me the principal hung himself in his office after beating two children to death. I have also heard that a nurse threw herself down the stairs and died and that a janitor died when something in the boiler room exploded in his face. I'm not so sure I believe all of that. But one thing is certain, that place is a little creepy. Is there any way you could tell me if these "stories" are true or a bunch of crap? Is there the slightest bit of truth in them? If there is, what year did this take place? Would you know the name of the principal, the nurse, the janitor or children who died? I also heard that the school was a factory. I think I read something about it in a newspaper clipping at the library. If this is true, when did it become a factory? Any information would be appriciated. Oh and last but not least....while researching in the library, I found that the school was built in 1874. Why does it say 1909 above the front doors of the building? Was this the year they added on to the school? Do you have any photos that were taken INSIDE the building? What about a copy of the original floor plan/blue prints? I would love to hear back from you and finally find the truth. Anything you can tell me would be great. Is there any written documentation of ghostly experiences in this place??
ANSWER: Erynn. As you, and everyone else can see the answer took up most of this weeks edition of "Views". I hope the answer(s) satisfy your curiosity, and that of your friends.
It was a great question, and I'm glad you asked.
If anyone has any further questions...
WHAT'S A FOOT: The next meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society will be held at the Community Room of the Ritter Public Library on Monday May 14th at 7 pm. Rita Howley Summers will present the history of the Vermilion Lagoons.It should prove to be a very interesting evening. So please join us.
Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings and/or to become a member of the VAAS.
Lifetime memberships are $100. Yearly memberships are $10 a person; $18.00 a couple; and $5 for a student.Our address is:
And I need to mention the projects of my friend Bette Lou Higgins, Artistic Director, of Eden Valley Enterprises. For those unfamiliar with her work - they stage historical people/events from (and) around the State of Ohio.
A great deal of research and practice goes into these productions to make them as accurate as possible.
I will attempt to keep updates on Eden Valley' programs here throughout the year. So keep coming back.
Meet Dr. Alta Weiss on April 30, 7p.m. and find out why YOU CAN'T PLAY BALL IN A SKIRT! This first-person character program will be presented at the Renaissance Center; 26376 John Rd. in Olmsted Township. Susan Brewer will portray Ohio's Baseball Wonder, Dr. Alta Weiss, who put herself through medical school playing professional baseball on a MEN'S team in the early 1900s. This program is FREE and open to the public. For more information, call the Center at 440-232-7111.
A performance of YOU CAN'T PLAY BALL IN A SKIRT! be featured and will be held at the Freer Family Field at the corner of Park St. and Morgan Ave, June 25-30. The Chautauqua is sponsored by the Ashland Community Arts Center and this year's theme is "Sport and Society." For more information call the Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 877-581-2345 or e-mail: Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
To arrange for this or any of their programs for your group, contact Eden Valley directly with your request (and/or to view a complete schedule of Eden Valley Events) visit their web page at www.edenvalleyenterprises.org.
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" and elsewhere it's really nice to know that there are some places where the light does shine brightly. Keep in mind that the needs of Hope Children's Home are on-going. Partially due to the horrors taking place in the Mid-East the continued suffering of the peoples in Africa go virtually unnoticed by both our nation and the United Nations - and that should not be. Contributions to that home may be made to a Vermilion expatriot Larry Hohler in New York.
I need to strongly reiterate the fact that this is an on-going project. The need is forever continuing. Please think about these children. If not with your pocketbook - at least in your daily prayers.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES:This from Shirley Williams Gleason: The CLASS of '58 is planning on hosting the reunion on the weekend of July 17, 18, 19, 2008....The Committee will be sending out information this spring in regard to the plans.
The VHS Class of 1957 are planning their Class Reunion for September 15, 2007. They cannot find addresses for the following classmates: William A. Brown, Carol L. Burkle, Eddie L. Davis, Robert W. DeLong, Jim B. Henry, Alexander J. Lutz, or Neil M. Marcussen. If anyone has that information please forward it to
And I just received the following from Alice Wakefield:
"...I just established a yahoo group for the VHS Class of 1957 so we can catch up on our classmates before our September reunion..." Here are the details: The Group home page can be found at: VHS CLASS OF 1957 The Group email address is: VHSClassof1957 Go to the home page and join today!!
Bob Ferry, is heading up the VHS Class Reunion for 1987...20 years.
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. And, incidently, I received the following communique from Roger this recently. It said in part:
JUST A REMINDER: You'll also want to place on your calendar the dates for our reunion in 2009. It will be held the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. It seems like a long way off but you'll find it will be here sooner than you anticipated.
It is my understanding that some of these links are not working, or they are not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages. They appear here only as a courtesy to those parties. Please address any concerns you may have about those pages to those responsible for them. 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 Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix History of Linwood Park Vermilion Visitor's Advisory (Satire) Gore Orphanage History The Lester Pelton Story The Wreck of The Niles #152 The History of Crystal Beach Vermilion Views Archives Vermilion's Pioneer Woman; Charlotte Sturges Cloudy; Vermilion's Ferryman The History of Vermilion's Congregational Church Dedication Sermon of Jotham W. Goodell, 1843 The Last Time I Saw Charlie Hope Childrens Home Kenya A Profile of Rich Tarrant Vermilion Biographies Vermilion - Village of Lake Captains Vermilion's Youngest Minstrels For Persons who would like to contribute to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address or use PayPal(It's fast, free, easy, and secure): Rich Tarrant1041 Oakwood DriveVermilion, Ohio44089Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459 "Your lives are in the hands of men no smarter than you or I, many of them incompetent boobs. I know this because I worked alongside them, gone bowling with them, watched them pass me over for promotions time and again. And I say ... This stinks!" ~ Homer Simpson Vol.5, Issue 6, April 28, 2007 View Page StatsSee who's visiting this page. "Vermilion Views" Search powered by FreeFind
It is my understanding that some of these links are not working, or they are not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages. They appear here only as a courtesy to those parties. Please address any concerns you may have about those pages to those responsible for them.
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
For Persons who would like to contribute to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address or use PayPal(It's fast, free, easy, and secure):
Vol.5, Issue 6, April 28, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant