WHAT'S SHAKIN' WITH ME THIS WEEK: The place where Darrow Road crosses State Route #60 just south of the Vermilion has (forever) been known to local citizens as "Furnace Corners". In fact - if one looks closely at the northwest corner of Darrow and State Roads one will see a plaque memorializing a time when an "ironworks" was located about .2 of a mile west of that marker. It was built around 1834, and ceased all operations about 1855.
While is a very engaging story (which I will try to tell in more detail another time)it may interest some to know that back then - when the furnace ran hot - many folks thought that the area would eventually become the center of the community of Vermilion, Ohio. During that era Vermilion's Congregational Church actually moved from its first location on Risden Road to the ridge in an effort to stay centrally located. But - as we all know now - that didn't happen. The ironworks operation, for a variety of good reasons, fizzled, and everything and every body moved north to the harbor.
I have, for some time, been going to visit the ruins of the old factory. But not because I believe I'll find there something of value. But because I just want to see it with my own eyes - and take some new photographs. Hopefully - in the next week or so I'll do that and afford ye some up-to-date pix. Then I'll give ye the "rest of the story".
Another project I've got under my hat is a bit more involved and intense - but worth noting here. I've purchased the first roll of microfilm of The Vermilion News from Bowling Green State University (June 24, 1897 - November 6, 1902) - and I'm going to make an attempt to scan the film - and place as much of it as I can on disk and / or a computer hard-drive so I can access the "News" files easier and faster. If I can get it on a hard-disk I might be able to index those files if I can scan the film. And if I can index the information I will have provided someone (myself included) with a wonderful reasearch tool.
I am - so to speak - working in the dark here. But ye never know lest ye try. In any case it should be a great learning experience.
Mamouru Okagi
AN INTERESTING NOTE: Yesterday my sister (Nancy Emery) passed the following e-mail to me:
Hello,
My name is Ken Okagi, and I am Bob's son. There is no comfortable way to relay this news, but my father passed away at approximate 9:45 this morning. His last moments were comfortable, and he went peacefully to his final rest.
Bob suffered complications from a hip replacement surgery, primarily due to his incurable pulmonary fibrosis. Throughout the process, he was his usual unrelentingly optimistic self.
I don't know most of you, but I'm sure you'll all miss Bob as I will. He has always set an excellent example for me to follow, both in manhood and now fatherhood. I'll always remember fondly his cheerful demeanor, his impish humor, his can-do attitude, and his seemingly magical ability to makes friends with absolutely anyone.
Bob is survived by his wife Pong Sun, myself, and his grandson Conlan. My greatest regret is that Bob never got to meet his grandson, who was born at the end of July. Luckily we live in the internet age, and he got to see lots of pictures and video, of which he never seemed to tire.
Although plans are not yet final, we will likely be holding just a small, private service in Hawaii, where we will scatter his ashes. I believe there will be a memorial at the local veteran's cemetary.
Please contact me if you'd like further information:
Ken Okagi
82-5856 Napoopoo Road
Captain Cook, HI 96704
808.328.2612
ken@luanainn.com
Bob Okagi was Vermilion's Mamouru Okagi's (Okagi's Restaurant) nephew. Bob e-mailed me a little over a year ago with the following message:
Hello Rich Tarrant,
After enjoying Vermilion Views and being related to the owner of the Okagi Restaurant of yesteryears, it gives me great pleasure to introduce myself as one of his nephews (live-75 years). And am currently residing in Lacey, WA, although I have not been privileged to visit Vermilion, I have frequently visited and enjoyed Mamoru Okagi's hospitality during Aug 1955 through Nov 1956 in Los Angeles, CA. during his retirement.
There were many interesting moments of his life that was shared in the short time we spent together while I was attending Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Inglewood, CA. Your website has refreshed many memories of times spent together including his memories of his wife Marie, Mary & John Vasbinder, Cecil Thomas, and Mary's son that wrote to his pappy routinely, which was cherished and enjoyed by Mamoru.
My address is...
It would be a pleasure to communicate with you and hopefully exchange even more interesting experiences and maybe locating some of the folks involved!
Sincerely,
Bob Okagi
Although I did not stay in contact with Mr. Okagi my sister did. And that is the reason Bob's son sent her the notice of his death.
It's a big world friends. And whilst the internet has helped make it smaller (for me) I still am unable to keep pace with all wonderful things it has tossed in my direction. Mr. Okagi was a valuable resource. I'm glad that someone aside from myself was maintaining some contact with this family.
August and Elsa "Elsie" Schwensen
c.1949
THE SCHWENSENS: Vermilionite Dave Schwensen was kind enough to pass this pic of his grandparents, August and Elsa "Elsie" Schwensen along to me a week (or so) ago. And it's like their still with us.
What a great photograph!
This photograph was taken in the back of their bakery in 1949 by local photo Paul Ludlow. It's how most of those who knew them remember them (as well as the pastries Mr. Schwensen is holding).
Dave colored the pic with the following commentary:
"...They are standing in front of the old coal oven. I have very vague memories of that oven being dismantled in... oh, I'll guess around 1957 or '58. I was about 4 years old and living in the apartment above the bakery. My dad and grandpa had hankerchiefs tied over their mouths and noses because of the dust. This was during one the bakery's annual winter closings for renovations. I came downstairs with a toy hammer and had a hankerchief tied over my face to help them tear it down - but was chased upstairs because it was too dangerous for me!
That oven was replaced by the giant electric oven that was used until the bakery closed in 1993. But there were always small burn marks in the wooden floor at the back of the "shop," (as grandma, grandpa and dad called it), that were left by burning coals that must have slipped out of the old oven once in awhile. These burns were lasting evidence of the days when the coals had to be lit first thing in the morning, and then everyone would have to wait for the oven to heat up before they could start baking.
I was told that in the old-old days, (before my dad), August and his brother Cornelius, (who opened the bakery in 1893), would pass that "waiting" time in the summer by walking to Main Street Beach to fish. In the winter they would play cards. Then everything would be baked and in the store for the morning customers..."
There are very few persons who knew these folks who will ever forget them or their baked goods. Both were wonderful.
The very beautiful Vermilion Harbor
A VIEW FOREVER LOST:
Tis a view forever lost - this one. Position yourself near the cannon at the back of Exchange / Rubberneck Park in the heart of downtown Vermilion, Ohio; look northward; and what you will see - is a wall of handsome condominiums blocking the view of the harbor. That comment, by the bye, is not a complaint. It is simply an observation (no pun intended). For the mise-en-scene in this photograph, with or without the condos - save the river itself - is long gone.
Persons whose fortune or misfortune it is to have never experienced the Village of Vermilion, Ohio when but 2000 souls (or less) called it home, may find such a tableau difficult to visualise. When this photo-painting was captured (c.1915) commercial fishing on Lake Erie may have reached its zenith. According to an article written for the Encyclopedia of Cleveland (Ohio) History by Michael McCormick of the Western Reserve Historical Society, between 1880 and 1915 fisheries
“....regularly saw catches of 40 million lbs. of all varieties in Ohio waters. After that, species after species was subjected to the same pressures that had driven the sturgeon to near-extinction.”
As a footnote it should be mentioned that those “pressures” were further characterized by Mr. McCormick as being “relentless fishing and environmental changes caused by pollution and soil erosion”.
As most persons familiar with the history of the town already understand the primary industry of the Vermilion of this era was very much commercial fishing. Further up river, along West River Road, a gentleman named F.W. Wakefield was engaged in building a new industry that would eventually occupy the lives of numerous townsfolk until the end of the 20th century. Tourist recreations on land and water were as viable as they are today. However; they, by their very nature, afforded few employment opportunities and were consequently only seasonally lucrative industries for most villagers. But commercial fishing? Although it was also a seasonal industry - the seasons could run from March into December and the catch like the demand for all that was caught was - or at least seemed to be - limitless. It was, in short, an extremely profitable business.
Most persons will agree that this photograph of Vermilion’s Harbor is especially compelling. In the lower right of the photo - just beyond the fish nets set out to dry on the reels several tugs from one of the fisheries are moored after a hard days work. Tom Ball’s boat, Iona, appears froze in midstream as she heads for his dock at the bottom of the western breakwall. Further out, and heading into the harbor it looks like the Edna D . She was the excursion launch used off the shore of the Crystal Beach Amusement Park. Passengers paid a nickel for a boat ride into the harbor and back. Three fair sized pleasure boats sit idle along the western breakwall. The marsh on the eastern shore of the river is as pristine as it likely was long before Europeans came to this continent. And at the end of the breakwall a small flag waves atop the lighthouse as if to extend a friendly greeting to all who enter.
The photo certainly captures that which appears to be an idyllic time in Vermilion’s yesteryear. But before we begin to regret the sight(s) we have lost - given what appears to have been our collective lethargy - we might do well to observe that it is probably the better part of wisdom to live in the present, plan for the future, and draw some real profit from the past. The view may be forever lost but it should never ever be forgotten.
Ref: Vermilion Area Archival Society; Ohio State University Scrapbook of Mary Parsons Wakefield; Special Thanks to Alice P. Wakefield; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal on 9-13-07.
9/9/07
12:25 PM
Elberta Inn
c.1945
ELBERTA: I know some - but not a great deal about the Elberta Inn. This pic - c.1945 - shows the place before it was moved back / northward to make room for the four-lane highway during the 1950's. Noting the house pictured at the back right of the restaurant one gets some idea of just how far it was moved. It was significant.
I can just barely remember the two-lane road that ran from Vermilion to Lorain during the early 1950's. Before I started school I used to ride with my mother when she drove to downtown Lorain to get advertising data from various merchants. Today it's almost impossible to remember this area as it was.
The Dick Koontz photo collection at Vermilion's Ritter Public Library has various pix of the Inn as it was actually being moved. This one is, however, just a very pleasant reminder of a time when Vermilion was just a two-lane town.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND!!!:
Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.
Christmas is coming. Break down and get Fido a shirt.
But seriously, take a tour of the shop. Tell me how you like it and what you might like to see on some items. I'm always open for business and for reasonable requests and suggestions. If nothing else just do a little window shopping. It's fun!
VERMILION VIEWS GIFT SHOP
Next week video / slide poscasts will return.
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime" format.
Stay with me on this project. Things will get better. (I pro-mize.)
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are no longer available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting moi - and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
If, however, something important crops up it - it will appear here.
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.