YOU TALKIN' TO ME (?): Would you believe it? This is 6th birthday of "VV"? Time flies when ye having fun.
To briefly reiterate "VV's" history: It started as an email to a few friends that allowed me a forum to describe my historical / hysterical activities and interests - and entertain with a few cartoons.
What I found (at the time) was that not everyone was capable of receiving the pix I was including in those emails. Ergo; I concluded that a webpage would better serve that purpose.
I also concluded that a webpage would be easier to do once I set the form / or had designed the basic outline for my ramblings. In short, all I'd really have to do was fill in the proverbial blanks.
Well, it worked beautifully. And actually - it was more productive than I ever dreamed. For I acquired information and other materials from persons all over our planet.
While I was unable to preserve all the past editions of "VV" I have saved most of them and keep them in the Vermilion Views Archives where visitors can sift through them at their own speed. There are, I believe, 312 "VV" pages in those archives. Overall, I have developed over 350 web pages pertaining to Vermilion which can be accessed from this main page.
I have also added a search engine that allows visitors an opportunity to search through all the pages for specific information. Whilst the information available is, by no means, comprehensive - it is fairly extensive and is as accurate as one amateur historian (namely me) can possible be.
For myself, this is all been a fun learning experience - both historically and technically. And so time doth fly when yer havin' fun.
Stay Tune-ly,
Familiar sights and names...
JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS COVER: My friend, the preeminent electric train historian and scholar, Dennis Lamont sent me this book cover pic sometime last week with the following note:
"...the first of April will be the release date for the Arcadia LSE Book put together by Mr. Thomas Patton, current owner of Beach Park LSE building and LSE38 .... assisted by the odd squad as you can tell from the cover ... lottsa work for Mr. Patton and a lot of fun for us!"
The "odd squad" Dennis refers to is, of course, himself and my other friend - and also a preeminent historian and scholar - Al Doane. Both gentlemen are invaluable historic resources. And if you've not heard nor seen their presentations re: the Lake Shore Electric Railway you've missed a real treat.
The "LSE 38" that Dennis refers to in the communique is the old electric car that until recently was used by the Vermilion Fish and Game Club as a storage facility. I assume that it is undergoing some restoration by Mr. Patton.
Dennis was instrumental in helping preserve that artifact. He also owns a restored LSE car and, along with Al, has been working at developing an operating electric system in Lorain. They are also involved in an organization that would like very much to establish a commuter diesal line between Vermilion and Cleveland on the old Nickel Plate railroad tracks between the cities.
This book is certain to be a hit - and a great reference for persons interested in what was once "the greatest electric railroad in the U.S." - as well as those interested in local history.
Vermilion's "Boys of Summer"
AH- VERMILION'S BOYS OF SUMMER: I really can't identify all the men in this photograph (at this time). But I do recognize a few.
Kneeling at the front of the group from left to right are Phil Eldridge (or at least it looks like him), Charles Wheeler "Chuck" Baumhart, and Tom Williams.
Of the group standing I only recognize Howard Bogart who is standing between Chuck Baumhart and Tom Williams with his arms folded across his chest. And I believe that the gentleman to the far right in a sweater vest, holding his hat, is a Parsons (But I don't recall his first name. Maybe Cliff?).
When I look through pix of Vermilion sports teams through perhaps the 1920's and into the 1940's the single person that appears the most - whether it be in football, basketball, or baseball - is Tom Williams. And aside from sports Tom was just a nice aimiable person, lawyer, and postmaster.
Parade on Division Street c.1898
VERMILION ON PARADE: This is an enlarged photo-sketch of a relatively "widely-published" pic of Vermilion's Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Band marching down Division (now Main) Street north of the railroad and south of Liberty Avenue c.1898. It would be among the oldest photographs taken of and in Vermilion, O.
The photog was probably in one of the upper rooms of the Masonic Temple overlooking the activities on the busy and dusty street. The parade was probably one celebrating a gathering of volunteer firemen in town. For whatever reason those gatherings (in Vermilion) were quite common at the turn of the 20th century.
I find this enlarged photo especially appealing because it allows a real good view of people and things surrounding the parade: the young boys in straw hats and men in derby's and fedora's (there are no young girls in the pic); the bearded men in vested suits; the wooden sidewalks; the buggy; the outside bar; Nolan's Saloon; and what appears to be medals worn by members of the band. The detail is fabulous.
I was able to get this enlargement from an original photo that came from Vermilion's Rathbun Family. I had seen copies of this pic in newspaper articles and magazines - but acquiring an actual pic that It allowed me to get a clear scan and acquire a closer and better look at the detail without the distortion that is invariably created by scanning printed photographs. For me this was like winning a million dollar in a lottery drawing. It's exciting folks!
Or maybe that's just me...
THE DOWN SIDE OF CUBICLES
* Being told to "Think outside the box"' when I'm in the damn box all day?
* Not being able to check E-mail attachments without first seeing who is behind me.
* Fabric cubicle walls do not offer much protection from any kind of gunfire.
* That nagging feeling that if I press the right button, I will get a piece of cheese.
* Lack of rafters for the noose.
* My walls are too close together for my hammock to work right.
* Women: Damned near impossible to adjust your bra or slip without comment.
* Men: Co-workers tend to stare when you take your pants off.
* 23 power cords, 1 outlet.
* Prison cells are not only bigger, they have beds.
* When tours come thru, I get lots of peanuts thrown at me.
* Can't slam the door when you quit and walk out.
"On March 14, 1935 The Vermilion News reported that “construction on Vermilion’s newest building” had begun."
F.E.BAKER FORD / CFM: Persons who look at the photograph accompanying this essay and compare it to the way the building appears today may have a hard time believing that it is the same structure. But it is. We currently know it as Vermilion’s Convenient Food Mart on the corner of Liberty and Sandusky Streets.
On March 14, 1935 The Vermilion News reported that “construction on Vermilion’s newest building” had begun. The basement for the new garage for F.E. Baker, the local Ford dealer, was complete and work on the brick-faced first story was about to commence. The contractor, E.E. Koontz of Beulah Beach, guestimated that the garage would be ready for business by “Decoration Day”.
[As an aside it might be interesting to note that E.E. Koontz was the father of Richard “Dick” Koontz one of Vermilion’s very popular professional photographers. And for the edification of those who don’t recognize the term “Decoration Day” - it is the day we now commonly know as “Memorial Day”.]
The Ford dealer, Frank Baker, was a Vermilion boy through and through. He was born in Vermilion in 1898, the only child of Vermilion born parents Phillip (b. 1874) and Mary Bachman (b.1874) Baker. Phillip was a fisherman, and Mary was a dressmaker / seamstress.
Mrs. Baker’s father, Conrad Bachman, was a carpenter by trade. He built many of the older buildings about the village including the beautiful Cargo Warehouse that currently sits just west of the Buyer’s Fair Department Store on Liberty Street. While Conrad was born in Germany (1846), Mrs. Baker’s mother, Elizabeth (Ferber), was born in Vermilion in 1854. Ergo; Frank Baker’s Vermilion roots were - to say the very least - quite deep.
Although Frank Baker did not apparently share his maternal grandfather’s love for carpentry it does appear that he was no less industrious. By the time he reached his early 20’s he had become an accomplished machinist in a local garage (likely at Stone’s Chevrolet garage across from today’s Ritter Library Annex). And by the time he was in his early 30’s he had his own business; the F.E. Baker Ford dealership.
After Stone’s auto dealership the Ford agency had been one of the first in town. It was originally located in the old Guy Davis store on the northwest corner of Liberty and Grand Streets. When Mr. Baker moved his Ford dealership to his new building at the end of May in 1935, G.P. Martin (PJ 3-23-06) purchased it to house his Pontiac agency.
When the new Ford garage opened for business just down the street it was état de l’art. It was a 60 x 100 foot fireproof brick building with 72,000 sq. feet of floor space, and featured 1,500 square feet of glass. There were two entrances - one off the Liberty Street side, and another off Sandusky Street - both equipped with roll top doors with hydraulic lifts conveniently located near each. The lighting equipment, provided by the F.W. Wakefield Company just up the road, was also state-of-the-art. All materials used in the building of the facility were purchased locally. The cost was (for the times) a hefty $12,600.
The accompanying photo shows the dealership just a handful of years after it was constructed, for the rails from the last days of the Lake Shore Electric interurban railway had not yet been removed. In the years to come F.E. Baker’s Ford dealership would prosper - as did the town surrounding it. But in time - as things changed - the village became a city; the Ford Motor Company built a large auto assembly plant just a few miles east of town; larger dealerships moved into the region; old preferences were replaced by new; and new faces replaced the old - F.E. Baker’s Ford dealership simply and rather quietly faded into the yesteryear.
And today it is really quite hard to imagine that the building that is now the home of Vermilion’s Convenient store is actually the same as the one in this photograph. But it is. It really is.
Ref: Vermilion Area Archival Society; P. Roscoe Photo Collection; U.S. Census, 1900, 1920, 1930; Descendants of Conrad Bachman genealogy courtesy of Sharon Swanson, Erie, PA.; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 9.27.07.
9/23/07
3:55 PM
Laying brick on Liberty Ave. c.1900
CLARITY WHERE THERE IS NONE: This is a rather peculiar photograph. It was titled something like "Laying track on Liberty for the LSE" when I got it. I don't, however, thing that that is what's going on here.
The pic - as I received it - was not good. And I struggled to make it less ambiguous / clearer. With that accomplished to the best of my ability - and that of my software - I think that the track has already been laid, and that what this crew is actually doing is paving the street with brick.
I know that somewhere (perhaps in someone's closet) there is an original copy of this photograph that - with the help of a good scanner and software - can make this pic legible - or at least more legible. But until then I'm thinking that it represents the paving of Liberty - as opposed to the laying of LSE tracks down the street.
In any case, it's an intriguing photograph.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND! HELP THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY!: Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.
I will be working on designing some new things in the weeks ahead. However: If you've not purchased something yet you're missing both the proverbial and literal boat. But, if nothing else, take a stroll through my shop. I keep the floor swept, the windows clean, and my dog don't bite.
And for those who might wonder - this is my shop - and I do make a few bucks selling the items therein...
VERMILION VIEWS GIFT SHOP
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
PODCAST #119: This week Vermilion Views Podcast #119 is a really great video of "Clara's Depression Cooking". This week it's a depression era breakfast of freshly ground coffee and sugar cookies. Clara is a very pleasant 93 year old lady who you will undoubtedly fall in love with. She's a breath of fresh air.
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not 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 me and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: After giving it much thought this link has been "put-down". During the last year most of the folks who used to use this page as a bulletin board have acquired their own and, consequently, no longer need this forum from "Views". I have, however, kept links (in the links section) to Larry Hohler's "Hope Homes" in Kenya - and to Bette Lou Higgins' Eden Valley Enterprises sites. They are historically and socially relevant projects.
Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months. They've recently received a significant grant from the Dolan Foundation and are constructing a Manual Training Center for their children and for other young people in that community. This is an exciting project.
Vermilion High School Classes of 1963, 1964 and 1965 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of June 27, 2009. Those interested can contact Ruth Bauman Tanner.
The Vermilion High School Class of 1959 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. Registration can be made through Roger Boughton 2205 SW 10th Ave. Austin, MN. 55912 or you can just emailRoger.
Where's Alice? I found this link interesting. You just never know what Vermilion expatriots are up to - or where their up to doing it. Alice Wakefield is one of those people. So check out his link. Methinks you'll be surprised: Talking Turkey.
Jerry - 1933-2009
JERRY: This is "Jerry's" (Howard W. Emery) recipe. Jerry is my brother-in-law. He was fatally injured last week in a fall while working at one of his properties near Port Clinton, Ohio.
His "obit" tells of a fellow who loved his family, working on heavy equipment, boating, flying, motor-cycling and many, many other things. It also tells of a guy who was a journeyman plumber and Pipe Fitter. And whilst it also indicates that he was a veteran of the U.S. Army - there is one little thing that is not there. And that is - while in the Army Jer was - at least for a time - a cook. This was in spite of the fact that he was a master mechanic.
Go figure.
But as silly as that seems this military misplacement may have been because of the many, many things that Jerry like to do - eating a good meal was somewhere near the top of the list.
It would be impossible to count the times that he'd decide that it was time to drive to Cleveland (or somewhere) to get chinese. And stopping for an ice cream was almost always "a given" if you were with him.
So it's really no big surprise that Jerry - among many other things - knew how to cook. And it's no big surprise that his recipe for Cabbage and Noodles recently appeared in The (Lorain, Ohio) Journal.
Methinks ye should try it. You'll like it. And Jerry would most certainly like it if you liked it.
An as he was often inclined to say - with no small amount of gusto - when the family gathered for Thanksgiving or some other activity (which, invariably, also involved food), "Well, what're we waiting for - Let's Eat!"
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
or you can use PayPal:
"The Ireesh of March are upon ye. (Or somethin' like that...)"
-Professor Roselyn Picher
Vol.6, Issue 52, March 14, 2009
Archive Issue #313
© 2009 Rich Tarrant