OH YEAH!: Now isn't this just the cat's meow? Nowhere in the proverbial annals of postcardom have I seen such a piece. This is real "Vermilion-cana"": The Pond At Ruggles Beach.
My friend, Denise, who sent me the pic of the Linwood Stairs the week last also included this beauty. I don't know exactly where the pond was located - perhaps in the low area around Cranberry Creek - but I'm sure I'll find out soon.
I have a great deal of admiration for Almon Ruggles (the man whose name is given to this area just west of Vermilion). He was a great man indeed. Somewhere in the twilight of my youth I remember a large white house that once stood in the vicinity of that which is now a park for mobile homes on the south side of West Lake/Cleveland Road (Route 6) running through Mitiwanga and Ruggles Beach. I was under the impression that that was once the home of Almon Ruggles. And somewhere I have seen a photograph of the front door of the home.
Local historians can talk about first people and families that settled the area, but in my book it was always Mr. Ruggles. I know that he wasn't actually the first settler, but as the official surveyor of the area he most likely trod every foot of the Firelands and knew it the best. Given the fact that it was a true wilderness area he had to be a man of exceptional character. This was not a task for panty-waist nor scoundrel. I cannot imagine wading through swamps up to my neck in muck nor swimming across streams with my belongings in a bag tied around me neck. The misery and hardships endured therein must have been staggering.
And so much for such rambling. Ruggles' legacy to us is evident in this picture.
PERIWINKLE!: This is our family dog, Perry, who is an intrepid ball hunter. His bravery at this task is less than evident. His persistence, however, is astounding.
This 30 second mov file along with the one I used last week are experimental (for me). Whilst I'm playing here I have more serious business in mind. These brief blips can be seamlessly joined together to create something much bigger. I am simply trying to discover if and how I might use them over the net. Longer pieces take too long to load so I'll never use them on the net. But it is interesting to see how the technology works. It's also fun to play with the dog.
MAYDAY: This is a part of Vermilion, Ohio on the first day of May 2004. Looking from what was historically once the Geo. Fischer Lumber Company riverside lumber yard south toward Liberty Avenue spring is beginning to burst. To the left is the old L.S.E Depot (at the moment a bank). And just across the street (to the right) is the old Maudelton Hotel with the upper two stories and the "widows walk) long gone. The Maudelton is now the home of Cloudy's Bar (upstairs) and a few other businesses on the basement to the east side of the building.
Numerous photos exist of both the depot and the hotel in days gone bye. I have used copies of those pix on shirts that I've made advertising this webpage. They were wonderful buildings to look at when they were active places at the dawn of the 20th century, but they are still pretty places to look at (as you can see) today.
Happy Mayday!
FOSTER'S BOATHOUSE: There are more than a few photographs of this boathouse floating around the net. This one (according to the last time I looked) was going for over 30 bucks on eBay. I must say that I do like the photo but...there ain't no way that it is worth that kind of money. Top price would be from one to five dollars. No more than that.
For those unfamiliar with the scene this boathouse stood on the west bank of the Vermilion River at the foot of the old Vermilion River carriage/auto/foot traffic bridge. I make this distinction because the L.S.E Bridge stood just south of this one at the time and should not be confused with it. Also,this is not the building one might know by the name of Snell's today which is located on the east side of the river at the foot of the current bridge. The building in this picture is no longer there. At the moment there is a small building on the property and I note that it appears that numerous charter boats are docked along the bank. I do have current pictures of the way it now looks.
The bridge abutment still exists and is plainly visible today on both sides of the river. The big house in the background has long given way to the wrecking ball. But some of its foundation can be seen if one is inclined to visit the site. The brick pavement on the west side of the bridge landing is also visible today. The west base for the L.S.E. bridge is still there but is harder to discern.
But 30 clams for this photo? I don't think so.
LIBERTY & DIVISION INTERSECT: This particular picture is rather common among collectors of Vermilion pictorial artifacts. My grandfather, PRoscoe, took the photo. This particular scene is only about 50% of the entire wide-angle original, and it has been doctored by numerous printing firms over the years. They certainly didn't have the magic of Adobe Photoshop at that time, but they were plenty capable of putting things in the picture that weren't there and taking other things out. I've used a varient of this photo numerous times for numerous things in various places. On the left corner is the old McGraw-Pelton General Store. On the right corner is the Wagner Cafe.
The reason I use this particular version here is because of the color. The tints are brighter in this rendition than I have ever seen in others. Without ever having seen any of the orginals it's difficult to say whether this is always been the same card in various stages of wear and/or preservation. Due to the vivid nature of the color in this card I must surmise that various printing companies tinted differently. This, then, would be a card that a serious collector - I would think - would desire to own.
EARLY CRYSTAL BEACH: This is also a very unusual picture; people sitting along the lake bank at Crystal Beach Park. It is not a terribly good photograph - but interesting. It reminds me of an old Degas painting and/or something done by VanGogh. I have to ask what's happening here? Who are these people? What were they talking about? Could one smell the candy and popcorn from the park behind them? Could the laughter and screams of thrill seekers be heard? Was there music in the air?
And the answer would be, "Yes".
These were the days before the old two-story dance hall that was located near the lake burned, and when the old water-sled stood along the bank. A very pleasing scene and concept to be sure.
THE VOL CLUBHOUSE: I can't say what year this picture emanates from. It could have been from 1950's. But a very good view of the Vermilion-On-The-Lake Clubhouse during its prime. I don't know that such a photo could be gotten today. The terrain has changed some over the years. At the time of this photo the upper and lower floors of the clubhouse look to be in very good condition, as does the beach and pier(s) below.
As I have previously mentioned there is a historical group in VOL now beginning to restore this building as a historic and practical facility. Hopefully, in June the Vermilion Area Archival Society will get to hold a meeting here and get a first hand look at the work that has been done and will need to be done to preserve the place.
A side note for some folks who may not know it is that the timbers of which this building is constructed were culled from the area when it was being developed back in the 1920's. The area was billed as the "Atlantic City on Lake Erie" as the cottages were being constructed and the streets laid out. Today a surge of new interest in the area has spawned a building boom making it a very desireable place to live in town.
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.
Dale also tells me that he and his wife are coming home by car. They're anxious to visit with their new grandchild in Elyria. Mary Louise "Tootie" Reisinger told me that Dale wasn't coming. Because we communicate back and forth on a regular basis on the net I knew better. Tootie was pleased to know he'd be in town this summer.
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 6, May 1, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant