FROM THE AIR: Another airplane photo of Vermilion. I can't tell off-hand, but I'd guess this is during the 1950's. Along the river past the bridge it looks as though some of the old old fish houses are still standing. As one follows the river toward the lake there are some open expanses where fisheries once stood before the fire of the early '50's.

When I see these photographs I am reminded of the summer days long ago. It's really a very palpable memory. I can feel the heat, and smell the smell of summer. There is somehow a wonderful comfort in the experience.Every odor, sound, and feeling of those times comes alive. It reminds me of a poem by John Keats; Ode On A Melancholy. Do you know - or remember - what joy tastes like?

GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES: Whilst we're along the river here's a place most of us remember; McGarvey's Restaurant. I've a still photo documentary of the building of its predecessor The Red Clay on the River but people want to see, and remember, McGarvey's. I had photos of the its demolition and, unfortunately, deleted them. Fortunately, others have photographs of the place - inside and out.

Above we see it in better days. It was the destination of many a sailor on Lake Erie for nearly one century.

Below are additional photographs taken of the place during (I think) a "Spring Thaw" in 1968 - the year before the big Summer Flood of 69'. My good friend, George Spreng, took these pics and let me use them. There is no doubt in my mind that the continual pounding this facility took over the years by the ice jams in the river were the inadvertant reason the restaurant had to be demolished. Anyone who has lived through any of that flooding understands the toll it takes on a building over time. And that is the precise reason the new restaurant is situated above the flood plain and covered (as one irate person complained to me) with "plastic". The person was referring to the vinyl siding etc. With, I might add, extreme derision.

In any case, this is what happened nearly every year to the old restaurant:

THE CLUBHOUSE: This photo was taken yesterday (2-27-04) of, of course, the Clubhouse at Vermilion-On-The-Lake. I want to focus on this facility for a moment to let people know that there is a move afoot to restore the clubhouse for both historical and practical purposes. For those who might not know the building was built from timbers taken as the land around it was cleared to construct the cottages. The process of allotting the land for the Vermilion-on- Lake Company began in May of 1920.

While the main focus of historic preservation has traditionally involved the area some folks call "Harbour Town" it is very pleasing to understand that that focus is widening to include all parts of the community. The autonomy of different sections of the town is useful for mapping purposes, but it should never be used to separate or identify, people by class. The entire town is the sum of its various parts. This has not always been the case.

JUST DOWN THE STREET: This is Vermilion Shores a new condominium complex under construction located just east of Sunnyside Road and north of Lake Road in Vermilion. Located on the lake just across the railroad tracks that run from Vermilion, past Ford, into Lorain. I mention the tracks - not because of the annoyance potential - but because they exist and are close to the building. But it is my understanding that very soon this rail line will be vacated. ConRail, the owner, constructed a spur just west of town that will allow for the tracks to be vacated between Vermilion and Cleveland. Ergo; the railroad is not likely to be a negative factor for residents.

My wife and I toured the complex when it held an open house some months ago and found it to be very nice. The apartments open onto the lakefront which is also being improved. There will be a pleasant walk-way along the shore with grass and flowers. The places are roomy and light. Several people we know have already bought places here.

If you live in town or just come to visit here, you might want to check these condo's out. I doubt that many will be empty when everything is completed.

WISH IN ONE HAND: I wish I'd had these photographs before I did last weeks story for the Vermilion Photojournal. The GAR Band picture above was one I used for naming band members of the 1912 band, but the copy I had was from microfilm and was so bad that I was unable to recognize the locale where it was taken. Yesterday Ruth (Bauman) Tanner emailed me the above photo along with a picture of the signatures on the back of it.

If I may, let me name the men in this photograph. Top Row L-R: John Krapp, Alfred Buell, Clarence Walper, Pearl Roscoe, Jake Baumhart, John Becker, Miles Lawless, Otto Kuehlman, George Becker, Phil Darley, Charles Horton. Middle Row: Tony Becker, Carl Blair, Ralph Risden, Charles Krapp, T.J. Ball, Ed Law, Fred Morgan, Creight Powell, John Malik. Bottom Row:P.B. Morgan, August Schwensen, Will Krapp, Earl Childs, Fred Krapp, Walter Murschell, Henry Ries, Cliff Squires, E.B. Ackley.

I offer my thanks to Ruth and reiterate: On the web I can correct/improve things as I go. I hope I don't mislead folks to far when I make mistakes in print.

One can recognize the locale of the pic by looking at the photograph below taken yesterday (2-27-04):

CLASS REUNION UPDATES: Again members of the Vermilion High School Class of 1959; 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. To my knowledge Roger Boughton is responsible for this site. I should mention that a visit to this particular website is worth ones time. Maybe you didn't belong to this class, but I'm sure you know someone who does. And I think you'll enjoy reading some of their memories of those days. Also BuffaloBill Hlavin has asked me to find and 1958 football program for him. I'll look. But I'll also ask class members tuned into this site to also look and let myself, Roger, or Bill know if you have one.

Dale Wendell, in sunny Arizona, told me that his class (VHS 1944) will also be having a reunion this summer. Just this day (1-24-04) Dale let me know that it will be held on Sunday, July 25, 2004 at the Vermilion Fish and Game.

As news regarding these activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. So stay tuned.

From a long way around the planet comes a message about the VHS Reunion of the Class of 1954. Their Reunion is planned for the 17th of July, 2004 at the Amvets Post on Route 60. I've also heard (2-14-04) from George Hoffman of this class who now lives in Sandusky. He,and four fellow classmates, are putting this reunion together.

I'm thinking that we should just have a thing called "Hometown" week here in Vermilion. And everybody who ever lived here or went to school here would come to visit during that week.

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

"I will not sell school property." ~ Bart Simpson

Vol.1, Issue 49, February 28, 2004

© 2004 Rich Tarrant