LOOKING CLOSELY: I've no idea what the future holds for the old South Street School in Vermilion, O. I hope it survives the American tradition of being a throw-away society. We are - for whatever reason - a society of people who have come to believe that new is better and are, consequently inclined to bull-doze the past.
Considering all that I took this pic of the dragon on the cornice / facade of the old school. I'd be willing to be that there are some folks who've never noticed that there are four of these on the school.
And before anyone starts reading something macabre into their existence I will set forth that they are simply decorative. If there is any other reason for their being where the are it may have been to reinforce that idea that ignorance has no place in the building.
However; for reader edification the following info is made submitted:
The Purposes of Dragons in Architecture
By Kraven Obscuria
Grotesques, such as dragons and gargoyles, have always been seen as symbols of strength, protection, and fortunateness. It is no wonder, then, that they have been used in architecture for centuries.
However, when they were originally introduced to architecture, they had a very functional purpose. The design of these gargoyles was created to work as rain spouts that would keep water from pooling on top of Gothic cathedrals and castles as it would cause damage.
When building procedures advanced and pooling water no longer presented a danger to the buildings, the grotesques remained, but now more of an adornment. Originally, "gargoyles" was the wide-ranging name for these varieties of sculptures. They took on the forms of magnificent beasts like dragons and griffins as well as human beings and domestic animals. Those with more horrifying or disfigured appearances were given the designation “grotesques.”
Dragon architecture holds a special station in Imperial China and was only allowed to be located on the most official edifice. They appeared as roof figures and decorations on beams, pillars, and doors. However, you would never find dragon figures on common buildings, it was specifically for the upper class.
Other instances of dragon architecture portray legend and lore. If you are ever in Ljubljana, Sloenia, you will encounter dragons everywhere; with historical roots in the stories of Jason and the Argonauts, the dragon is the official symbol of this city. The world-famous Dragon Bridge is just one amazing example.
Many cities are proud to welcome dragons into their cities. London and Pittsburg are two other examples. I've heard that Pittsburg provides a fantastic foot excursion of the areas you can encounter gargoyle and dragon images and statues.
Maybe you have heard of the famed gargoyles that watch over Notre Dame in Paris.
While the National Cathedral in Washington is known for its magnificent gargoyle statues, they are not the same variety as you'll find at Notre Dame. In the 1980s, National Geographic’s World magazine partnered with the cathedral to set up a competition that asked children to design the sculptures that would garnish the cathedral. And that is how this magnificent building ended up with a contemporary dragon statue of sorts: the helmet of Darth Vader. And also one of a raccoon, a computer, a robot camera, and a bunch of other characters, including one with a gas mask, designed to protect us in a future run rampant with technology and unseen dangers.
The next time you pass by an old church, whether it be one lost to time or one still used for services, look closely at the stonework. If you are actually looking for them (because they can be tricky in their hiding spots), you will be shocked at how many dragons and gargoyles are actually around us.
Beowolfly,
The Freshmen
1926: I must confess that I do not have much on this great Rudy Moc pic of the Freshman Class at Vermilion High School in 1926.
I was testing a portable scanner that one can use without a computer, and this was one of the pix I ran through it. The scanner runs on a rechargeable battery. It has some built-in memory, but one can also use a flash drive, or a memory card with it.
It's a color scanner and can do 300 or 600 dpi scans. Ergo; it's real useful.
But back to this photo. It's a "beaut". And I think I can (if I take the time) find many of the names of the youngsters in it by cross checking it with later issues of the VHS Hi-Times books.
But until then the only person I can "quickly" identify is Tom Williams. He's the boy in the front row wearing the light-colored sweater.
The color of the pic (by the way) is precisely the color of the original.
Near the Bridge
PAINTING THE TOWN: As previously mentioned this is a preview piece for a new webpage that I am currently developing. Using a new software program in conjunction with Adobe's Photoshop CS4 & 5 I am able to take some already wonderful pix of Vermilion, O. and make them (at least in my view) more "wonderfuller"
The Sails @ Vermilion
Was a time when the only big vessels in the Harbor of Vermilion, O. had sails. This beautiful photo-painting was captured in early June 2010 overlooking Parsons Marine and the Vermilion River with the Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant in the background. Formerly the Red Clay on the River restaurant it sits near the site of the renown McGarvey restaurant (now McGarvey's Landing just beneath the river bridge on the eastern bank of the scenic stream.
Jun 10, 2010 7:51 PM
Beautiful.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW THING: This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell.
So stay tuned...
VERMILLION AND) VICINITY
DR. F. M. HUGHES...LOCAL EDITOR
Oflice over Pelton & McGraw's Store.
—Mr. J. Mawby and family moved to Sandusky last Tuesday.
—The fishermen here have about completed their work for the season.
--Mr. and Mrs. Bart Parsons rejoice over the advent of another young son to bless their home.
—Mr. E. B. Houseman and family moved to their now homo near Swanton, O., last Wednesday.
—Tho M. E. Sunday school are making arrangements for a Christmas tree for Saturday evening, Dec 24.
—The Ladies society, of the M. E, church, gave their regular supper in their church parlors Wednesday evening.
—The engine of fast train No. 5 on the L. S. R. R broke down here last Thursday noon, causing considerable delay.
—A very enjoyable leap year party was held last Wednesday evening at the commodious residence of Mr Nicholas Wagner, in honor of Miss Kate Wagner.
—The bargo Charles N. Ryan, of Sandusky, arrived at; this port last Tuesday to go into winter quarters. She will undergo extensive repair during the winter.
—The European Vaudeville company is billed for a performance at the opera house here on Wedneaday evening next, Dec. 14. It is of that character which usually draws a fnll house.
—Mr. Peter Leimbach has concluded that it is not good for man to be alone and in consequence has taken unto himself a wife in tho person of Miss Catherine Herchler. Both are residents of this place.
—The ladies of the M.E. church have announced their annual supper to be held at their parlors in the rear of the post office on Friday evening, Dec. 30. These suppers are noted for their superior excellence.
—The Longfellow social, under the auspices ot the Y. P. S. C. E., of the Congregational church, which was hold at the home of Capt. and Mrs. A. B. Parsons last Monday evening, was a very pleasant event.
—Among the list, of petit jurors drawn for the January torm of court at Sandnsky we find the names of Messrs L. J. Washbnrn and August Baumhart, of Vermillion township, both men of good judgment.
—The oyster supper at tho M. E church parlors last Tuesday evening was a great success, socially and financially. The net proceeds amounted to about twenty-five dollars, over one hundred enjoying the feast.
—On Tuesday-evening, Dec. 13th, a very interesting concert will be given in the M E. church here nnder direction of the Forest City Concert company, of Cleveland. Mr. H. P. Sourbeck, general manager, was m town Thursday and completed arrangements with the Epworth League for each an entertainment and our citizens will have an opportunity to listen to a good musical and literary program.
—Last Wednesday was quite a groggy day for Vermillion, and several pugilistic encounters broke the monotony of things. Our marshal waa prompt in action, and proved himself to be a very efficient officer. He succeeded in landing three of the belligerent individuals in the corporation cooler. That night, however, they succeeded in makng their escape, and the interesting police court session set for Thursday morning was nipped'm the bud.
Masonic Election.
At their regular meeting last Wednesday evening the members of Ely lodge. No. 424, F. and A.M. elected the following officers to serve the ensuing year:
W, M.—Jacob Abell.
S. W.—Burton Parsons,
J. W.—Geo. B. McConnelly.
Sec.—C. C. Baumhart.
Treas.—Jacob Englebry.
S. D-—Albert Leimbach.
J. D.—Chas, McGraw.
Tyler—Wm. Boland.
Reception.
Last Friday evening a large gathering of our citizens assembled at the Congregational church parlors to welcome the new pastor of that church, Rev. L. H. Royce, to our village, There were over one hundred in attendance, light refreshments were served, and a very pleasant evening was spent by all present. Mr J. O. Versoy made a very appropriate speech, welcoming the paster, to which Mr. Royce responded, in well chosen words.
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.
Last Saturday evening oneof our popular young old bacholers, concluded to spend the eventing in a neighboring town whether with a yonng lady, or in some other enjoyable way, deponent saith not. Nevertheless a horse and carriage was ordered at Decker Bros.' livery, after which our Lothario went homo, repaired to his dressing room and was'for some time busily engaged in making a very exact and elaborate toilet. When he returned to the street a horse and carriage stood waiting at his door. He stepped nimbly into the vehicle and was soon speeding away towards the neighboring town and his Dulcenia, or whatever the object of his visit might be. A few moments later Mr. Charles Phelps was nervously dodging in and out of our principal stores and pacing to and Iro on our streets in search of his neighbor Alanson Davis' horse and carriage. The facts in the case are that Mr. Davis' horso had been hitched in front of our friend's home and he had gone off with it supposing it to be the one ordered from the livery stables. We would not divulge the name of our unfortunate friend for a dozen great apples.
PERSONAL
-Fred Lawless is home for the winter.
-J. C. Gilchrisc was in Cleveland Monday.
-Mrs. E, B. Pelton is home from Cleveland.
-Capt. Gcorga Bell is home from the lakes.
-Mr. O. F. Hatch waa home last Weddeaday.
-Will and Otto Blattner are homo from the lakes.
-Jacob Kahn. of Norwalk, was in town Thursday.
-H. F. Bouse, of Clyde, waa in town last Monday.
-J. Linx, of Sandusky, was in town last Tuesday.
-D. Hoffman, of Sandusky, was in town Thursday.
-Miss Lillian Horton was in Sandnsky Monday last.
-Pat Youngs is home iroru the lakes for the winter.
-C. Jackson, of Sandusky, was in town last Wednesday.
-D. C. Leonard, of Birmingham, was in town Monday.
-Charlie Englebry is nursing a hand, injured by a fall.
-N. W, Russell, of Fremont, was in town Wednesday.
-Chas. Dietsch, of Toledo, was in town Wednesday.
-Miss Mame Rae visited friends in Lorain laat week.
-E. C. Young, of Cleveland, was in town Wedneeday.
-E. R. Edson, of Cleveland, was in town last Monday.
-Verne Williams, of Chicago, was in town last Saturday.
-Adam Lapp and Francis Pelton are home for the winter.
-A. Wysight, of Port Clinton, waa in town last Thursday.
-D. W. Slocnrn, of Plymouth, waa in town last Monday.
-Mrs. Geo. D. Nichols ia visiting friends in Cleveland.
-Capt. Josh Bailey is home from the lakes for the winter.
-E. F. Schneider, of Cleveland, was in town Monday evening.
-John D. Nichols, ol Garrettsville, was in town Monday.
-Mr. Weigel, of Sanduaky, was in town last Wednesday.
-Rev, E, B. Shumaker was in Sandusky last Wednesday.
Mr. Will Wallace, of Cleveland, was in town last Wednesday.
-Mr. Melvin Simpson returned home to his family last Tuesday.
Geo. Shattuck has returned to Vermillion to spend the winter.
-0. H, Wonnell, ot Port Clinton, visited friends in town last week.
-Mr. Theo. Alvord, ft Sandusky attorney, was in town Wednesday.
-L. C. Jacobson, of Sandnsky, registered at the Lake house Monday.
-Mrs. Johnson, Myron Englebry and Daisy Gilchrist are on the sick list.
-Alvin Thompson and wife were in Cleveland the fore part of the week.
-Miss Flora Ronk has returned home from a visit to friends in Clarksfield.
-George Cuddebaek, of the steamer C. H. Green, arrived home last week.
-Miss Lula Harris, of Brownhelin, was the guest of friends in town last week.
-Miss Amelia Lersch, of Amherst, is the guest of her cousin, Mra. J. C. Gilchrist.
-Dell Tucker and M. J. Jenkins, of Berlin Heights, were in town last Saturday.
-Messrs. H. C. Sourbeck and J. C. Atwood, of Cleveland, were in town last Monday.
-Chas, Auzola, manager of die European Vaudeville company, was in town last Friday.
-Harry Rose is home from the lakes with a lame foot which was injured by the anchor chain.
-The familiar physiognomy of Mr. E. M. Chase, of Berlin, greeted our citizens last Thursday.
-Mr. and Mra. Ed Hughes, ot West Huron, were guests of Dr. Hughes and family last Wednesday.
-Mr. and Mrs. L. U. Todd are absent for a month's visit in Kansas, leaving last Wednesday evening.
-Mr. and Mra. F. T. Stevens returned Tuesday evening from a visit to their former home, New London.
-Mr. Will L. Holwick, of Beaver, Pa., spent a few daya here last week, visiting his sister, Mrs. Dr. Hughes.
- Mr. S. V. Ronk represented Vermillion lodge I, O. G. T, at the meeting of the grand lodge in Cleveland last Wednesday.
-Among the sailors who arrived home home [sic] last week were Henry Walper, of the Cumberland, and James Driscoll, of the Marina.
-Capt. Henry Roeder, who has been visiting friends here for several weeks, returned to his western home at Whatcom, Wash., last week. The captain enjoyed a good visit with his friends of forty years ago.
from the Sandusky Daily Register, Wednesday December 14, 1892
Hmmmmmm....
"Little Evelyn"
THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN TOWN:
Her brother Harry called her "Nuggie" - and so she was - gold. I describe her as effervescent - and so she is. Nug is one of the more delightful human beings on the planet.
This pic was part of a much larger class photograph taken (probably) by Rudy Moc when she attended South Street School in 1937. She was pretty then - and remains so to this day.
Jun 10, 2010 4:45 PM
"Areas in cities and towns that might provide shelter
if an atomic bomb were to fall
on or near our respective areas were common."
POST WW2 VERMILION, O.: I was born in Vermilion, Ohio near the end of WW2 - on November 8, 1944. Franklin Roosevelt had just been elected to his 4th, and final, term as President of these United States. The nation was running strong on a war driven economy. And although I was unaware of it at the time that economy would continue in strength, as it pertains to Vermilion, Ohio, for about the next 30 years.
For the first half of the 20th century the economy of Vermilion, Ohio was driven by two primary industries; fishing and the manufacture of incandescent lighting fixtures. The fishing industry didn’t suffer due to the obvious fact that it was a primary food source provider of fresh water fish for a good part of America. The lighting industry didn’t suffer because apart from manufacturing lighting fixtures for both homes and offices, it also produced signal lighting for the navy. And in addition to producing lighting for the military they also manufactured war products that were at the time, necessarily, made of brass (i.e. as shell casings). In any case, these enterprises fed the local economy and provided employment to all able bodied citizens who cared to work - both male and female.
As a youngster who came age just after this great conflict; and as the youngest of eight children born to parents who owned and operated a weekly newspaper; I do not recall a time when I didn’t know about the war. I knew who was involved, and where it was fought. I knew of the great events of the war (i.e. Pearl Harbor; Hiroshima; etc.). I knew what VET and VJ days were about. I knew who Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Emperor Hirohito were. I knew every veteran in town - personally. I respected these men and women, and I was in awe of them.
People were, by and large, extremely patriotic. The Memorial Day parades were well attended. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post was organized as a direct result of the war. I never heard one bad word from anyone about our military nor our President. Folks pledged their allegiance to the flag, and joined in the singing of our national anthem - even if they didn't’know all the words. I also remember when the words “under God” were inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance.
Church was always well attended. In fact the church my family attended, which was built in the latter part of the 19th century, grew so large that by the mid-1950’s a new, larger, church was needed and consequently built.
Several reactions associated with the war and now nearly forgot by most Americans who came of age during and after the conflict had to do with the “cold war” (that was a direct result of philosophical differences between the United States and Russia) and the emergence of the world into the “atomic age”.
Civil Defense organizations throughout the nation were quite common. Areas in cities and towns that might provide shelter if an atomic bomb were to fall on or near our respective areas were common. They were marked by yellow and black signs and usually pointed the way to basements in public buildings. A common piece of graffiti at the time could be found by the doors of beerjoints. Scrawled on a wall would be these words:
Fallout Shelter!”
“Walk in
Fall out!”
Related to this were spotter towers where persons would sit and watch the skies for enemy aircraft. They were similar to towers one might find in forested areas where rangers looked for forest fires. They were simply an open room (about 12’x12’) about two stories high. There were glassless windows all around and a telephone connected to a central location somewhere where (I assume) someone sat with a map on a wall. There were posters on the walls of the tower with silhouettes of various airplanes on them. When a person spotted and potentially identified a particular plane they would pickup the phone and call that information in to whomever took such calls. To my knowledge there were never any people regularly scheduled to spot planes, and the facility was only open in the summer (there was no heat).
In Vermilion the tower was located at the side of the high school football field. In season the room at the top was occupied by the sports announcer and a room that was built at the base was used as a refreshment stand.
Another reaction to this “atomic age/cold war” threat was a bombing drill designed for school children wherein we were directed to fall to our knees beneath our respective desks and cover our heads with our arms.
In retrospect this, in particular, was probably one of the dumbest emergency drills ever designed by mankind. I suspect it had more to do with assuaging the anxieties of parents than it had to do with providing protection from an atomic blast.
In post-war Vermilion, Ohio things were moving along rapidly. A booming market in the American automobile industry brought a new Ford Assembly Plant to the area, and the population exploded in the latter part of the 1950’s - from roughly 2000 to approximately 10,000 people in a matter of a few years. The steel mills and shipyards in nearby Lorain, Ohio were going strong - and all was well.
No one envisioned a day when all that would disappear. 50 years later it did. But that’s another story.
Written 4/17/06 @ 11:50 AM - Never Published
Nothing ever remains quite the same...
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: The idea for this piece began as an idea for a coffee-table book of historical photographs of Vermilion, Ohio and, hopefully, it will (someday) be realized.
Originally the concept - as previously stated - was just a picture book. But after mentioning such a project in an issue of my weekly web page - Vermilion Views - a reader by the name of Scott Dommin suggested that it might be interesting if it featured photographs of how people, places, and / or things in the City of Vermilion, Ohio appear today along with photos showing how they appeared in the past. Ergo; the title "Now & Then".
"What a great idea." I told both myself and Scott.
[NOTE: This is going to take take some time.]
VERMILION FIRE DEPARTMENT
Formally organized as the Relief Fire Company #4 in the mid 19th century it was reorganized and renamed the Vermilion Volunteer Fire Company at the dawn of the 20th century.
In 1928, after 20 years of very commendable service a new age dawned, and they mothballed their old steam pumper. The Vermilion Volunteer Fire Department, under the direction of Fire Chief William “Dad” Tischer, leaped into the new century with both feet and purchased a newfangled (gasoline engine powered) firetruck.
June 10, 2010 11:12 AM.
"This township was named after the principle river
emptying into the lake through its territory..."
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the south and west of Vermilion in the Berlin / Berlin Heights area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
BERLIN - PART 3.
by Hudson Tuttle
THE PIONEERS.
John Hoak, who settled on the Kline farm for two years, moved to the farm now owned by his son Henry; built one of the first houses, in 1810. Only}' four whites were present at the raising of the great logs of which it was constructed, but Silas David, an Indian chief, with his tribe, assisted. They were forbidden, by him. to taste of liquor until the work was done, then they drank and held a pow-wow to their heart's content. One was so riotous they built a pen of rails around him, covered it over and left him till morning.
John Hoak had ten children, only one of whom, Henry, remains in the township. John Hoak, with the remainder of his family living, removed to Lagrange county, Indiana, where he died in 1859, at the age of seventy-three years. He made a kiln of brick, on his farm, in 1813, the first on the Firelands. The first white settler within the limits of the township was Mr. John Dunbar, unless a Mr. Tillison, who owned the land, which afterwards was the homestead of Curtis Benschoter, preceded him. The Tillison family were very hospitable, and it is said Mrs. Tillison once told a guest if he would not stay to supper she would "knock him down." This rude hospitality showed itself in ways that would offend the more fastidious tastes of the present. One night John Thompson was caught at the Tillison cabin by a terrible storm. He, of course, did not want to face the storm, and Tillison said they had no spare bed. Mrs. Tillison was adequate to the emergency: "I say. Till," said she, "Tompk can sleep with us," and he did. Another story told of this family made many a hearty laugh around the blazing hearths of the pioneers. The whole family, with their guests, would sit in a circle, and above their heads, suspended by a cord from the rafters, was a jug of whisky. This arrangement saved the trouble of waiting on any one, for the jug was swung round and round, from mouth to mouth, till all were satisfied.
John Dunbar came from the State of New York, 1809, and purchased the farm afterwards known as the Weatherlow farm. His brother, Isaiah, came with him. He soon after moved to the center, on the place occupied by Dr. X. Phillips. The Dunbars disappeared and left no trace.
Perez and Thomas Starr came from Connecticut in 1810, and built a mill on the lands now owned by H. L. Hill. In the autumn of that year, Thomas Starr built a house on the farm now owned by J. S. Lowry. The night before the raising, the snow fell six inches deep, and he feared no one would come, but his fears were vain. In those days the neighborhood extended five miles in every direction, and early in the morning, “old Mr. Burdue" made his appearance, whooping like an Indian, with four gallons of whisky, and soon after, the hands came from Florence and Milan, and after the job was finished, enjoyed the "old rye" in a way which would not be satisfactory to the Good Templars. The StaiT brothers kept bachelor's hall for a time. In 1812, Thomas was drafted into the army, from which he returned, and in February, 1814, married Clementina Clark, of Florence. He moved to the center part of the township. Thomas Starr was a blacksmith, and used to go to Huron and Vermillion to work on vessels. He did the iron work on the first deck vessel built this side of Erie. When he returned home at night, he carried torches, not only to show him the way, but to keep off the wolves, which howled around him. His eldest son, William Eldridge, born in January, 1815, was the first male child born in the township.
John McLaughlin, who came with the earliest adventurers, settled on the western border of the township, on the lands adjoining McLaughlin's corners, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1849, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife died in 1836. The only survivor of his family, in the township, is Milton McLaughlin.
Nathaniel Burdue, or "Old Mr. Burdue," as he was called by everybody, settled near the spring now used by the creamery. While living on the Huron river, he set out one Sunday, with a piece of soap in his pocket, saying he should travel until he found a spring of soft water, and there he should locate. In the afternoon he came to this beautiful spring, and at once decided to make his home by its side. His orchard was the first to bear in this section. Apples were then scarce, and Mr. Burdue watched his orchard with such vigilance that he became associated in the minds of the boys with Cloven-foot himself.
William Fitzgerald came from New York in 1810, accompanied by Joel Simpson, and settled on the farm now occupied by Henry Hine. None of his descendants remain.
Hierouymus Mingus came from New York State in 1811, and Aaron Fox and his wife came at the same time. The eldest son of Mr. Mingus-was [sic] killed in 1813, in the battle on the Peninsula. The second son, Jacob, lived and died on the farm now occupied by his son, Benjamin. The third son, James, married Phebe Darley, and settled in Townsend, Huron county. He was the Nimrod of those days. Aaron Fox and...
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 -
Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
"Like water they followed the channel of least resistance."
THE NEW ROAD:
This aerial photograph of the west side of Vermilion Village is not extremely old. It may be c. 1950. (It should be noted that c./circa means that the date given is approximate as opposed to being specific). Due to the fact that this is also a winter photo, and the trees are bare, it is all the more interesting. In this particular instance it was also very useful.
As most folks already know Ohio Route(s) #6 and #2 (a.k.a. Shore Road; Lake Road; Liberty Avenue) was, for perhaps some 50 years, the main thoroughfare to, through, and from Vermilion for all the auto, bus, and truck traffic that travelled along the southern Lake Erie coast through northern Ohio. The road was, in a word, busy.
After the demise of the Lake Shore Electric rail system in 1938, and the increased popularity of the automobile as the primary and preferred mode of transportation this main highway became even busier. As fate would have it the early roads upon which this traffic had to travel were not designed to accommodate that type of traffic. When they were created they fell upon a more natural course. Like water they followed the channel of least resistance. A road course designed for wagons and buggies being towed by one or two horses is not automatically suited for heavy steel machines powered by an engine equal to 200 or 300 horses.
In the Village of Vermilion, Ohio this was no more apparent then the course the road ran on the west side of town. The road was easy to follow until it reached the corner of Decatur Street (heading west). At that point the road abruptly turned south toward the steam railroad tracks. Then just before the tracks it, again, took an abrupt turn to the right and headed west. This was not an “S” curve. These were corners that required complete turns.
There were no traffic lights and no stop signs on these corners (although there may very well have been a single blinking light on Liberty at the intersection where the road turned south on Decatur and ran toward the railroad tracks). But even so, negotiating these corners required that one pay serious attention to the road and the arrows on the signs at the corners. Unfortunately, that was not always the case.
Usually it was the east bound traffic coming into town that had problems negotiating the turns. The speed limit coming from the east toward the turn onto Decatur Street was probably lowered from 60 mph to 20 mph some distance before crossing Edson Creek - but I think we all know how that goes. And many an unsuspecting motorist had the misfortune of abruptly parking their car or truck through the showroom window of Kyle Motors (now Vermilion’s Municipal Court). At one point in time Mr. Kyle built a concrete post to protect the gas tanks in front of his garage. The likelihood of more people missing the turns at either corner were as predictable as rain in the springtime. If was not a matter of if, but of when.
Finally, with a great deal of encouragement from Vermilion Village representatives, the state decided that it would be a good idea to build a new section of highway from Decatur Street westward, just past the city limits, to eliminate the problem. Moreover; the new section of highway would be a divided highway. The reason for that choice is unclear. However; at about the same time this was being done so too was the divided highway between Vermilion and Lorain being built. It may be that it was the intent of the State to turn the entire length of Lake Road into what was then perceived to be a modern highway system using the existing roadways.
In any case, this is the reason that one might hear many old-time residents of Vermilion refer to the divided highway on the west side of our pretty city as “The New Road”. That it, most assuredly, is.
Ref: The Vermilion News photo archive; and the Vermilion Area Archival Society; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 3/30/06; Written 3/26/06 @ 11:44 AM.
WHAT IF?
In good ol’ Vermilion O. finding the stone inscribed by early American trailblazer Simon Kenton - apparently in 1784 - was quite a find. Someone found it in a hedgerow in the front yard of the Edward Horner (formerly the Rossman farm along State Route #60) about a mile south of town of the Nickel Plate railroad tracks. Some years later it was removed from Horner’s yard and now it is sitting behind Vermilion’s Ritter Library in the main part of town.
In 1962 the pastor of the First Congregational Church wrote:
“There is no reason to question its historic authenticity. The assumption is that Simon Kenton famous frontiersman and indian fighter, spent some time in this neighborhood. Some suppose he was prisoner of the Indians at the time. Once he was captured by the Shawnees who tied him to the stake and were preparing to burn him to death when he either talked them out of it or was delivered by a timely intervention.”
That is, of course, a great story. But it can hardly be “authenticated”.
Who’s to say who did the carving? Suppose the Rossman kids were just bored; and lacking the invention of a can of spray paint; they decided to carve the name of the famed trailblazer into the stone? Cannot one assume that that could have actually been the case?
But whatever the case, in a few years none of that will really matter. Because, in time, natural weathering will have erased the name from the stone. And years hence kids will wonder why there’s a big rock behind that old building on Liberty street. Maybe one of them will even carve a name and date into it.
PODCASE #184:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #184 takes thee for a brief stroll through the Cuddeback Cemetery in Vermilion Township where the Pelton marker is now located. It's done on a nice day. So enjoy.
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends Dennis Lamont and Albert Doane. It'd make a nice gift.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format. If you don't have "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
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. I suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months. They are constantly improving the lives of their youngsters and those around them. This is an exciting project accomplished by exciting people.
Although this years Vermilion High School Class of 1959 reunion is over classmates may want to stay connected with each other through organizer Roger Boughton. Ye can connect by mailing him @ 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: Alice.
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: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
"California is like an artificial limb the rest of the country doesn't really need. You can quote me on that."
-Saul Bellow (1915-2005)
Vol.8, Issue 13, June 12, 2010
Archive Issue #378
Vermilion Views Search Engine
© 2010 Rich Tarrant