TAKIN' IT TO THE BANK: Here's a Vermilion building that doesn't get much attention when folks are looking around town. Perhaps it's because it doesn't house a high traffic business. (It is now the J.A. Berk Real Estate Appraiser and Realty Offices) In any case the building has some import in the local historical landscape.
And you can take that to the bank.
When the Coen brothers - Edward and Frederick - came to town from Rensseleaer, Indiana in 1891 this was the home of the (their) very first Erie County Bank. Because their enterprise was a major investor in one of the nations earliest interurban railways (The Sandusky, Milan & Huron) - and the brothers considered it to be "an uncertain investment" - Fred was dispatched in 1893 to Sandusky to work as Secretary when the electric was reorganized as the Sandusky, Milan & Norwalk RR. The object was obviously to oversee / protect their investment. And the rest is interurban history.
Fred didn't leave until after "The Greatest Electric Rail System In America" was dismantled (c. 1938) and the Lake Shore Coach bus line was well up and running (c.1942). It was also the year that he died.
So - the building holds an inescapable, and one might even say an irreplaceable, place in local history - that persisted long after a new bank building was constructed across the street.
For years and years it was a gathering place for Vermilion folk. It was the "news-stand" both figuratively and literally. It was a place where people got their smokes, their magazines, newspapers, and discussed, cussed, and fussed about politics, religion and the lives, loves, and hates of their fellowmen both here and beyond.
It was an equal opportunity forum. No one (or thing) was excluded.
For a time the Mehnert Brothers owned and operated the place. At one time Dorothy and Bill Litman kept the store. Dorothy would later become the top assistant for long-time Ohio Republican Congressman Charles Adams Mosher of Oberlin. Several other folks owned the place over the years. Some names I remember - the Orths', the Peters', and Fred and Bill "Corky" Harpley.
Two of my sisters worked there - Pearl "Ginny" (Wilkes); and Zella "Butchie". And during my youth I delivered newspapers from the place; The old Cleveland News and Cleveland Press; and later the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
I have some great memories of the people in the place. I remember Father Cletus ("Pearly") Gates coming in to get his smokes and talking with folks. And I distinctly recall "Jungle" Larry Tetzlaff telling stories about life on the safari. I remember the ice cold root beers - right from the barrel - with which I washed down many a penny pretzel. I recall the hullabaloo in the newstand and the press when "Doctor Sam" Shepherd was being tried for murdering his wife in their Bay Village, Ohio home on Lake Road. Folks would look out the window across the street at the Okagi Restaurant and say something like "They" (meaning Shepherd and his wife Marilyn)"used to stand in line on the street to eat at Okagi's." You'd of thought that everyone in town knew them personally. It was a veritable circus. That's not a negative observation - not at all. It was an amusing place.
There is, however, some irony involved with this picture. This involves the fact that the News Stand also became the local bus station for Greyhound. Greyhound, by and large, was instrumental in causing the demise of what was left of Fred Coen's transportation dynasty - the Lake Shore Coach bus line.
Thus, in a manner of thinking, the very place from whence his ambitious dream emanated is the very place it expired.
And you can take that to the bank.
V BBALL 1927: It weren't a stellar season for the team - 6 and 9 - but in 1927 the game was a bit different. The highest score in any of the games was 37 points (Vermilion 37, Huron 15), and the lowest was 4 points (Vermilion 21, Berlin Heights 4).
The text below their picture in the 1927 edition of the "Hi Times" honest reports that, "The boys played rather erratic ball." And so it was.
I only recognize 3 persons in the photo. One is John Trinter (in back upper left). Another is Mr. Cletus K. DeWitt, school Principal and the Coach (in the suit in the back upper right). And then there is Tom Williams Sr. (seated 2nd from the left).
The rest of the boys in the photo I have names for but am unable to tell anyone which is which are:
Almon Knittle, William Gergel, Wesley Zorn, Harold Haber, Orson Kuhnle, and Loren Leidheiser.
The photographs in most of these old annuals are exceptional. I note with some amusement that there is a thermometer beside the doorway. So someone was interested in the temperature. But as always I've got to say that it's a shame that those responsible for putting together these beautiful books didn't have enough foresight to include the full names of persons pictured with each photo.
I assume no one ever thought that Vermilion was every going to get any larger than 2000 souls.
PARTYING AT THE MAUD-ELTON: Okay, okay - I'm constantly referring to various old Vermilion photographs as being rare. And perhaps I do so too much. But this one - this one - is rare.
When "Viewer" Bobbi Riley (Santa Maria CA) read in last weeks issue of the ezine that someone was interested in buying and restoring the hotel that was named after her Grandfather, Elton Fischer, and Grandaunt, Maud, and that I was trying to help with some background information and photographs, she sent me this beauty.
It is one of only two photographs I have ever seen of the interior of the hotel.
I haven't played with the pic too much in Photoshop only to resize it. But I have studied it some. The details are wonderful. I date it to have been c.1916. There are electric lights in the building. However; it looks like the old kerosene lights haven't been abandoned altogether. There's a lamp in the corner that appears to be non-electric. Aside from that it affords a nice view of the woodwork and wallpaper inside the structure.
The young people - I'd guess most to be in their mid to late 20's - appear to be having a good time. The fellow in front is holding some sheet music, and the Italianesque-looking person with the violin on the right seriously appears to be straining to read the music.
Bobbi tells me that her Grandmother, Ruth Goodsell Fischer, is the lady wearing a necklace just under the lamp in the corner. The other folks have not, yet, been identified.
I did send this pic off with several others, and a brief history of the hotel to the lady in CA who is interested in the hotel. And I did receive a reply:
"You were so nice to have taken the time to send me this info. Thank you so much! I was excited to see the history of the building. I do not know as of yet if I will be writing an offer or not. I still am researching the area. Hope to meet you someday in person. I am back in California now but hope to live in Vemilion if God approves.
I am pessimistically optimistic - or optimistically pessimistic - or something like that.
SKY POINTING: The fellow in the spotlight seated on the cajón (above) is Vermilionite Robbie Jones. Rob is a musician - a percussionist - who, for several years has lived and worked in Europe. This week the accompanying musical piece features Ireland native Garrett Wall singing with Robb playing the cajón. A cajón (Spanish for 'crate', 'drawer', or 'box', pronounced 'ka.HON') is a kind of box drum played by slapping the front face (generally thin plywood) with the hands. It's an interesting combination.
I chose this particular piece, "All of the Above" this week because it showcases Robb's talent just a bit more than the other tunes on this new album - "sky pointing" from the Rico Records. I thought people might be interested in experiencing the talent(s) of a VHS graduate.
This is a brand new recording and is not yet available on Apples iTunes - but should be in the near future. So this is a sneak peek. I believe you'll like what you hear.
I extend to Robb, his new wife, and to his parents, Jim and Gara Jones a big thanks for allowing me to use this cut.
PODCAST #42: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #42Vermilion Views Podcast #42 offers but another chapter in Betty Trinter's wonderful history of Vermilion - The Way It Was.
And please take note. I have produced a new archive that will allow "Viewers" an easier way to access past podcasts. You will find that link in the links section below.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): Below is another new form that I've added to the site. With this form you will be allowed to preview your comment/question as it will be sent to me. After that just come back to this page and clear the form.
Well, folks I've got to say that this form is working wonderfully for me. I'm receiving good questions and comments on a regular basis. So it's exceeded my initial expectations substantially.
Keep all the questions and comments coming. I really appreciate them.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS ETC. (?):
Well - ENOUGH!!! Some European spammers finally got the best of me by using the email form which used to be available (here) in "VV". They hi-jacked the form for purposes I am unable to fathom (I don't gamble and I'm not in the market for Viagra). Ergo; I dropped the form and ye can simply drop a line to me by tapping on my name below:
RICH TARRANT
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for the latest information about VHS Class Reunions, The Vermilion Area Archival Society, Eden Valley Enterprises events, and Hope Home in Kenya? Follow the link to the Vermilion Locals page. Something new (mit a few new pix added) for your enjoyment.
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 links. 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.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
"And how is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?" -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 26, September 15, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant