COME FLY WITH ME: Moving along. I'm working on a multi-media document about Glenn Hammond Curtiss. I've written of him before on these pages. Like various items I've come across during the last 4 or 5 years I find Curtiss to be worthy of more note than he generally receives by the public at-large.
For whatever reason the Wright Brothers cloud our collective vision(s) of the development of flight in our world and the contributions of persons, like Curtiss, go unnoticed. Curtiss is to aviation what Henry Ford is to automobiles. He is the father and founder of the aviation industry on our planet. The Wright brothers flew the first flight. Curtiss built planes, flew planes, and trained pilots for both war and peace.
He didn't have a long life - he died on July 23, 1930 at the age of 52. But his work is massive and his influence of the development of the industry substantial.
Moreover; he does have a small, but very real, Vermilion connection. Early in the 20th century he flew over Vermilion to crowds of cheering spectators on a record setting speed flight from Euclid Beach to Cedar Point Ohio. As he passed over the west pier of the river he dipped down in the sky and waved his wings. That doesn't sound like much but planes were not commonplace at the time. A short time later a Lakewood pilot by the name of Terry Janus would land his Curtiss seaplane on the beach at Linwood Park and have his picture take by Pearl Roscoe standing with Lewis Englebry and Charlie Trinter on the shore. Janus would have been trained to fly by Curtiss.
IT'S A BEACH: This is Linwood's beach c. 1955. From the general tenor of the pictures circulating of Vermilion it is obvious that the town has always been a tourist town. The lake and the river were/are undeniable assets. This fact (as some may recall) was not always fully appreciated by year-round residents. It could often prove to be annoying. On the other hand they also brought something else with them; money.
The trade off for townsfolk was less painful than some would admit. It was also more fun.
WINTER SAILING : This picture comes to me from Buffalo Bill. An interesting piece - I believe I've seen this picture or one much like it among my brother Al's collection of Pearl Roscoe's pix.
Again it touches on the recreational opportunities offered by Vermilion's location.
It's been some time since this has been possible because the lake hasn't been frozen over (very solid) for quite awhile.
While I assume that this sport still exists - and in a more colorful fashion - snowmobiles and other all-terrain vehicles appear to dominate winter sports areas at the moment. Few people ice-skate outdoors anymore and ice-boating has all but disappeared.
EXCHANGE PARK: This is a real nice view of the old bandstand in Exchange Park, the cannon, stacked cannon balls, and the newly situated Maudelton Hotel (formerly the Lake House) on the corner of Exchange and Liberty Streets. This, obviously, is before George Fischer built his big brick building on Liberty.
One thing I'd like to emphasize here is that Exchange Street did (and still does) run north of the rail tracks after it passed between St. Mary's Church and Victory Park.
Some person was informed by a local historian that Exchange Street ended at the rails. While this seems to be a minor detail such muddling (as I have also been guilty) of historical fact can very effectively eradicate historic truth. But common sense should prevail. The village of Vermilion existed before the rail lines were built.
It is extremely likely that street names will change over time. Because this is true historic fact can be misinterpreted. In short, an event on Main Street (for instance) may be misconceived as occurring in somewhere south of Liberty Avenue when it could only have been north of that location. Because the same street south of Liberty we now refer to as Main was once known as Division. While this is common knowledge to many long time citizens it should never be assumed that it is "commonly" understood.
And now that I have everyone "commonly" confused with this trite bit of wisdom let us move on.
MILL HOLLOW: I don't venture to guess the time of this photograph. It is unusual (to me) and brings back some rather good childhood memories.
Mill Hollow - even prior to becoming a part of the Lorain County Metro-Park System was an oft visited area along the Vermilion River. Of all the hollows - Cooper, Swift, and Sperry - it was always the most accessible. The water runs shallow here most of the year. As a child I used to believe (with a great deal of encouragement from my older siblings) that there were still indians living in the woods above the shale banks. I recall a time when my oldest sister drove her husband's Jeepster into the shallow waters in one of the hollows and washed it. I also remember a time when I was hiking with my Sunday School class through one of the hollows when we heard the sound of horses running through the wood. We looked up and there (among others) were my older brother and sister galloping across the river shallows with their horses - Cloud and Tinny. That was true excitement for a little fellow, and something I will never forget.
All that from a little picture...
BROWNHELM: Here is a place and time I know very little about; beautiful downtown Brownhelm. Communities such as Brownhelm don't get much attention from those who pass through. There's a stand of old houses; about 2 1/2 blocks worth and that seems to be that. Ironically (or not) there's more Ohio history here than meets the eye. Brownhelm has a historic organization that is second to none. They've existed on the back roads here for quite some time, and they've got an exceptional amount of information available to those who are looking for area historical information.
Mill Hollow is part of Brownhelm. So are all of the other hollows I've mentioned. Cooper's was a stagecoach trail. Swift's is well known because it was the site of the Hope of Light Orphanage (a.k.a the Gore Orphanage). Brownhelm is where the largest known eagle's nest on our planet was discovered and studied. It was the home of a champion prize-fighter's training camp. One of the oldest cemeteries in the region is located here.
This is the first photo I've seen of the settlement area to date. I hope it won't be the last.
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 will 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. Note that Roger will not be sending out a newsletter by snail-mail any longer. The webpage will be the reunion notification/information center from now on. He's got new stuff on line as he gets it - and it's interesting. So take time to go there.
Also Buffalo Bill Hlavin has asked me to find a 1958 football program for him. I'll look. But I'll also ask class members tuned into this site to also look and let Bill, Roger, or myself 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.
Also the VHS Classes of 1963, 64, & 65 are still looking for a number of people. Many are around. But it's not real easy to round-up all that information. If you've not yet received a notice re: that reunion count yourself among the missing and report in to either Ruthie Bauman Tanner or me on the net. Ruth's email address is: Ruthbt45@yahoo.com
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
Vol.2, Issue 2, Avril 3, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant