What A Difference A Week Makes: Christmas came with a beautiful snow. It lasted for just a day or so, and now we're back to "spring-like" conditions. One almost is inclined to get out the lawnmower, put on a bathing suit, and head for the beach. I suspect, however, such thoughts are premature. But the weather here has been extremely agreeable for the occasion. We, in Vermilion, have yet to experience much of the harsh - the brutal - arctic winters we are very familiar with going into the new year.

I do recall years past when in taking a breath of fresh air out of doors the moisture in my nose would actually freeze due to the cold. That may be something those now living in more temperate climes may have forgotten. 19 below zero can make one mighty uncomfortable.

At those temperatures the lake becomes a vast white desert unfit for man and beast alike. So much for the benefits of living in the Ice Age in north North America.

Warmer Days: Ah...Linwood Beach on a summer day aside Lake Erie back in 1959. Quite a contrast from the previous pic. It is highly unlikely that one will ever see this beach teeming with as many sun bathers as is visible in this scene. Times have truly changed.

Despite the fact that this photo may have been snapped on a holiday (say the 4th of July) weekend during a heatwave of 90+ degree temperatures this mis-en-sc`ene will never be repeated.

For one thing these folks were H-O-T. For another, more than a few of them were looking to acquire the gorgeous healthy glow of summer (though more than a few of them - like myself - took on the hue of a fresh boiled lobster).And finally, there was nothing like taking a refreshing dip in the cool clear waters of the fresh-water lake.

The unfortunate (or fortunate - depending on how one looks at it) truth of the matter is that the lake became a toxic waste dump for factories and was/is sometimes an unhealthy place in which to swim; and too much exposure to the sun, we discovered, could lead to skin cancer - not forgetting to mention that it makes our skin resemble a pair of alligator shoes as we age.

Today we have central air conditioning in our homes, stores, and automobiles to keep us cool. If we desire to make our skin take on the glow of a nice tan we have cosmetics to do that job. And if we want to swim in a body of water we can go to the local pool where clean water is insured.

All of that is very nice, but methinks you've got to admit that days like those portrayed in this postcard pic were fun. The sounds, the smells, and the feel of the sun on one's back, the sand between one's toes, and the quiet plunge into the waves is quite unforgettable. These things future generations will never ever know.

Some more detail about this postcard pic in particular: Jacqueline (Jeffery) Herold (my Texas Connection) tells me that the photograph was taken by local photographer Dick Koontz in 1959. She and her family used to stay at their cottage in Linwood in the summer. Jacque used to swim across the river from the east pier to the west as a short-cut to band practice. The lady just behind the yellow air mattress is her mother, Jeannie (Leidheiser) Jeffery. I must say - Jacque's memory quite astounds me.

The Electric Pullman: In 1867 American inventor, George Mortimer Pullman (1831-1897), created a passenger railroad car specially furnished for lengthy rides. The objective was to make riding the rails as comfortable as possible for passengers. His success was so noteworthy that few to no rail passenger ever had to ask what a "Pullman" was. It was a word synonymous with comfortable railroad travel.

In 1906 the Niles Car Company in Niles, Ohio built a number of electric trolly cars for the Lake Shore Electric Railway Company that ran passenger rail service between numerous towns and cities across northern Ohio and into Michigan. Their cars, especially those built early in 1906, were touted as the "Pullman's" of the electric rail industry. Not only were they comfortable they were fast. Powered by four 85 horsepower electric motors they tested out at a speed of 71mph using a two-car train on June 15, 1906. Bearing in mind that some automobiles of the time may have been as fast, or faster, on a race-course nary a road in our nation would allow them an ability to travel at such speeds across any geographical area for even one mile.

Factually, the rail facilities at that time were not up to allowing the Niles cars to run at those speeds when they were initially introduced. But plans were made to make it possible. Two tracks were laid between Cleveland and Lorain, Ohio by '06, and plans to extend the double tracks through to Sandusky were in the works. In addition to this the bridges between Cleveland and Sandusky (especially the viaduct over the Rocky River just west of Cleveland) needed to be rebuilt/reinforced to accomodate the "speedsters".

Not obvious in either the advertisement or the picture of the #149 that follows is the fact that these cars were fabricated out of wood. For reasons I will show you later their wood construction is important. I should also tell you that I got the #149 photograph from a site featuring all types of electric cars operated by one Dave Whinney. I believe you can visit Dave's webpage at the electic train history site.

Vermilion's Harbor 1912: Standing in Exchange Park on the northeast corner of Liberty and Main Streets in the year 1912 this would have been your view of Vermilion's Harbor. In the foreground the fish nets are being dried at the Kishman Fish Company. The harbor is quiet.

I have used a similar picture before. But I believe it was color tinted. I believe this photograph is more telling. Sometimes I have the illusion that the world was always in black and white until Walt Disney came along. It may be that there is some symbolic truth to that thought. Times were not less complex to folks of yore, but I don't believe they were as fast. There was time to stand still and survey the world around the individual. There were less effusive distractions to contend with from minute to minute. I would be willing to bet that when this photo was taken it was a perfectly silent morning - perhaps a Sunday morning. One could hear the breeze in the nearby trees, and the soft coo of the morning dove to his mate. That silent call was only broken by the sound of a horse drawn wagon moving down Main Street toward the blacksmith's shop, and the bang of a door at the Maudelton Hotel in the background.

Class Reunion Updates: For members of the Vermilion High School Class of 1959 know I will again tell thee this week that your class reunion will be held between October 8 and 10, 2004 here in town. Those looking for more information on the subject can now visit the Class of '59 website by clicking on the highlighted text.

Dale Wendell, in sunny Arizona, told me that his class (VHS 1944) will also be having a reunion this summer. I believe he said that it would be held sometime in June. If he attends he thinks he'll come by train.That would be an interesting journey.

As I am made aware of plans for all these activities they'll appear on this web page. So stay tuned.

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 let me know and I'll send them to you.

Links to other sites on the Web

Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix
History of Linwood Park
Vermilion Community Orchestra
Vermilion Chamber of Commerce
Vermilion's Oldest Church
Vermilion Visitor's Advisory (Satire)
Gore Orphanage History
The Lester Pelton Story

"Teacher is not a leper." ~ Bart Simpson

Vol.1, Issue 41, January 3, 2004

© 2004 Rich Tarrant