Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On my home desk this week is a pic I originally intended for a little news article re: the museum’s speakeasy activity last summer. The ladies were some of the actors / presenters. The whole set-up was very nice and well done. But very few folks attended. Like our Civil War Era weapons show it seems that everyone had something else on their schedules for that time period.
Too bad. It was their loss. But we still had fun.
On the shop top this week is an old aerial view of what eventually became the Vermilion Lagoon housing development. Among the interesting details in this pic is the lakefront. Some of the beaches from the east pier stretching east as far as one can see still remain – but much of it is gone. The beach at Nokomis Park east of Linwood is, for all intents and purposes, gone. Prior to the Great July 4th Flood of 1969 the Nokomis Beach was the most popular public beach in Vermilion. Even today, Vermilion’s Main Street Beach is not nearly as nice as was that beach.
Again, too bad.
COMING SOON: I’ve been collecting and snapping pix about and around Vermilion for nearly 20 years now (actually 17). And over the years I placed those pix on CDs and DVDs - just because. And though I’m hardly a professional – most of my stuff is digital – I was looking at some of those snaps during the week and found some I think some folks might find interesting.
When I started this website it was a somewhat difficult to use everything I was collecting. The pix were mostly done in a lower resolution and, as a result, much smaller than those I generally use today. Also, I didn’t have the software to really work with them that I have now. That, in itself, makes a big difference with some of the photographs.
The ones I have been currently playing with are snaps I took when I was able to tour Vermilion’s Opera House ten years ago. While I’m sure some folks have better pix I do believe you’ll find those I took of some interest.
So stay tuned…
AND WINTER COMESI snapped this pic in front of our home at the Olympic Club earlier this week while waiting for my truck to thaw out when it was covered in ice.
This pic reminds me of my friend, Bill Ream, who lives in Florida. I hope he gets to see it. Sometimes folks need be reminded of what they’re (not really) missing.
Merry Christmas: to Bill and all Views Subscribers and Visitors. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay well.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations and memberships for the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011.Memberships for the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are always available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.
A single membership for an adult is $15 a year.
A couple membership is $25 a year.
A student membership is $5.
And a lifetime membership is $100.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:Take the time to visit us on Facebook. Click on the badge below and stop in. We'll keep adding pix as we go along. If you're in the area come on in. I try to be there in the a.m. most everyday. If you see a Chevy Silverado in the drive with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
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Historically,
1946: This was among some of my old collected pix. It was taken on the lawn in front of South Street School in 1946. Given the fact that there are 10 fellas in the photo I believe this was a VHS basketball team.
Viewer's may recognize some of all those pictured. The only guys I remember are Carl Blaser (a Vermilion firefighter), Art Crow (lumberman, Vermilion Mayor and councilman), Chuck Smith, Dick West (Vermilion plumber), and Sam Law.
As is obvious, some of the guys stayed in town after school and distinguished themselves here. Others left for other parts of our great nation and did the same. The town certainly produced its share of successful people.
VICTORY PARK: Persons often confuse them (I know I have); Vermilion’s Exchange and Victory Parks. This may be because Exchange Park (a.k.a. “Rubberneck” Park where folks like to sit and watch “passersby passersbying”) has forever been the place where some monument or another honoring local war veterans has been located. Victory Park - on the other hand - has in latter days become more of a market place for the “exchange” of goods for money. It has no cenotaphs extolling the sacrifices made by those who served our nation during war; nor does it have cannons very ostensibly protecting Vermilion's harbor. Ergo; the names of the parks are, quite understandably, confused now and then.
Of the two parks Victory is by far the oldest - at least in conceptual terms. It was central to the place that would come to be incorporated as the Village of Vermilion, Ohio. It was a planned public square. Eventually the first church (1843) in the community, and, later, the Vermilion Township Hall (1883) were built across Division Street just to the west of the square. [Note: It may be of interest to know that both the park and the church existed before the first steam railroad ran through the village about 1853.]
Precisely how the square was used by citizens during the 19th and very early 20th centuries is not well known. But by 1937 the square appears to have been firmly established as a major village gathering place citizens called “Victory Park”.
1937 marked the 100th anniversary (March 14, 1837) of the village. The festivities that took place from August 11th through the 15th concluded with a parade that ended at the park and a formal ceremony during which a Founder’s Stone was officially unveiled. The stone - with a dedicatory plaque - still sits near the walk that crosses the park.
Sometime thereafter a substantial bandstand - made of brick was constructed just ot the east of the stone (photograph). And for a good number of years thereafter all official public ceremonies were conducted from it. On Memorial Day and the 4th of July all parades ended at the park. From atop the red brick and concrete platform, ‘neath the verdurous umbrella of large maple and oak trees, speeches were made, and the vigorous strains of John Phillip Sousa marches echoed throughout the village.
In between those times the structure served as a play stage for many youngsters grown tired of the old swings that once hung between two large wooden poles near Ohio Street. Beneath the bandstand was a room that was apparently used to store sundry items. It was both a source of innocent curiosity and inevitable disappointment to any child brave enough to venture down the cold wet stairway only to find a padlocked door without a window through which to peek.
I don’t remember the precise yesteryear when the old bandstand was razed. Nor do I know the reason. Perhaps it just became unfashionable. The structure always seemed to be very solid. But I suspect that it probably was not. So it likely needed to be disassembled. Too bad.
Victory Park has changed a great deal over the years - as has the rest of the community. But two things remain the same: The park is one of the most peaceful in Vermilion; and more than a few people still confuse it with Exchange Park.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips were vocally transcribed from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
Capt. Joseph C. Gilchrist, the retiring president of the Gilchrist Transportation Company, has had a most remarkable career as a vesselman. He was born in 1850 at Port Huron, but was raised in Marine City Mich., his family moving to that place shortly after his birth. His father owned some sailing vessels, and young Joe took to sailing when a mere boy, taking his first birth on one of his father schooners. At the age of 18 years, he went in the lumber business. In 1879 he bought other wooden boats, and in a few years had quite a fleet of wooden ones. About the year of 1887, Captain Gilchrist opened offices in Cleveland, and proceeded to make a name for himself in vessel circles. In the early ‘90s he built his first steel ship, the ill-fated steamer, W.H. Gilcher, which was lost on Lake Superior a few weeks after the Western Reserve went down. He bought more wooden boats after this, and in 1901 ordered the six “planet” steel steamers, Mars, Uranus, Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, Saturn and the Lake Shore. From this time on Captain Gilchrist continued to increase his fleet, until today it is the second biggest fleet of boats in the world.
Captain Gilchrist is recognized as a man of rare ability in the vessel line. He worked his way up practically from before the mast to one of the biggest men of the Great Lakes.
Personally, Captain Gilchrist as a whole souled man of genial disposition and pleasing address. He was a very sick man last year, but his health has been improving gradually, and his physician said he will ultimately be as well as ever if he adheres to his decision to make his retirement from business pursuits permanent. He was popular with the other vesselmen, all of whom recognized his ability. – Cleveland Leader.
The Eagles will give a masked ball New Years Eve.
Several new phones are being installed by the telephone company.
The district schools are enjoying two weeks vacation.
Martin Ruth has the foundation laid for a new house in South Amherst.
Mrs. John Classen is reported critically ill.
Capt. Reid of Cleveland, a former resident of Amherst was laid to rest in Cleveland St. Cemetery Saturday evening.
Friday when an incoming car was nearing East Quarry something went wrong with the safety valve in the pressure increase breaking the pipe. The car was filled with flying steam and boiling water. One man was burned before he could escape. No women were in the car.
The funeral of Mrs. S Curtis who died in at her home in Brownhelm was held Sunday afternoon from her late home. Burial was made in Brownhelm. She leaves to mourn her death, a son, Charlie, junior partner of [the] store of Shattuck and Curtis of Brownhelm. She was seventy-eight years of age.
A son was born to Mr. Mrs. John Geilmanz of Elyria. – She, Mrs. G was formerly Miss Anna Keting of this place.
Clyde Huessner’s horse is improving very fast.
The Henrietta school will have two weeks vacation.
The Tug American Eagle, formerly a passenger boat which has carried many Vermilion people on excursions to Detroit and the islands, was destroyed by fire at Toledo Monday.
Capt. McKinley and crew barely escaping with their lives. The boat was built in 1881 as a passenger boat and a few years ago was converted into a tug, the steamer Lakeside having been built to take its place. The boat was owned by the Great Lakes Towing Co., and was one of the most powerful on the lakes. Loss estimated at $20,000.
Mr. Mrs. Sanders went to Henrietta Hill to attend Christmas exercises, Tuesday.
Birmingham M.E. church Sunday school have their Xmas exercises Thursday evening.
The Swiss church have their exercises, Friday evening.
The school in the Latteman district have their exercises Thursday evening.
Mrs. Jackson is quite ill to home of her daughter, Mrs. Derr.
This is John Ries for Lorain had a fine display of hand-painted china in exhibition at Miss Wagner’s store on Tuesday. She sold a number of pieces.
The school taught by Miss Nellie Klaar gave appropriate Christmas exercises last Friday afternoon. Christmas decorations and a tree made them look very pretty and the children all went through their parts very nicely. At the close of the exercises Santa Claus appeared and distributed the presents.
Mrs. John Ries received a Baby Grand Piano for Christmas, the gift of her husband.
As we go to press Elsie Kishman who has been very sick for the past several weeks is reported as some better.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Hmmmmmm....
BROWSING: I was surprised to find this scrap in a copy of an old Sandusky Register. Hey, I know that girl and her husband (and her children).
DIGRESSIONS ON A PHOTOGRAPH: 1949 was an interesting year in American history. It was the year of the big “Red Scare” when an F.B.I. report named Helen Keller and Edwin G. Robinson among others as members of the Communist Party. It was the year that George Orwell published his dystopian novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four”. And it was also the year the U.S.S.R. tested their first atomic bomb. Such things might lead one to think of it as an era of high anxiety, suspicion, and paranoia. But if so it certainly didn’t show on the faces of those who paused amid all the turbulence to have their portrait taken in front of the Vermilion-on-the-Lake Clubhouse.
I have been familiar with the photograph accompanying this essay for a number of years, but for one reason or another never opted to use it in this forum until now. Initially a copy of it was forwarded to me by email. This print, however, is scanned from the original that was sent to me via “snail-mail” by a Vermilion expatriate named Dr. Norman “Jack” Dean earlier this year (2015).
I’ve never actually met Jack. But we’ve had numerous interactions – mostly via the net – for perhaps a decade. One of my first interactions with him was due to my interest in Vermilion inventor Lester A. Pelton. It seems that Dr. Dean had been teaching classes about Lester’s invention for years and didn’t know that Pelton was born in his hometown until he came across mention of it in one of my Internet postings. Prior to that I’d heard some about him from his sister-in-law Jane Dean when she was the secretary (i.e. executive assistant) at Vermilion’s UCC Congregational Church. Jack’s brothers, Jimmy and Danny, are well known local guys. There is another brother, Benny, whom I believe lives in the west. And there was also a sister, Thelma (Rust), who left us behind back in 1972. All the boys are friendly, multi-talented persons with an infectious sense of humor that must be genetic.
Initially I was under the impression that Dr. Norman had a degree in engineering. But illustrative of his genetic heritage he corrected me by saying “My life work has been in science education, not engineering. No one would trust me to build a bridge.” So I surely won’t ask him to build a bridge. What I am sure of is that he is both a gifted and generous person. But I digress.
The photograph is a professional portrait taken at the east end of the Vermilion-on-the-Lake Clubhouse c.1949. Pictured L-R are: Mr. Robert Crampton (one of the Clubhouse owners), Jack Smith (whom I recognized), Don _________(no last name given), Robert Crampton Jr., and Norman (Jack) Dean.
Though I intend to, I’ve not researched the Crampton’s as of yet. All I know is that Crampton was a realtor with an office in the clubhouse. And the persons pictured with him were his employees. I recognize Jack Smith because I believe he had several sons and / or brothers who looked a good deal like him. And something I noticed in the picture that I missed the first time I saw it; Doc Dean has a broken wrist. Perhaps I’ll find out more about that as well.
Prior to living in Vermilion-on-the-Lake (i.e. “the Village”) the Dean family lived at Nokomis Park just west of Crystal Beach. After moving to V.O.L. Dean’s father, Francis, became Mayor of the village. And when they auctioned off everything at Crystal Beach during the 1960s his father bid on (and won) the roller coaster. Jack later told me that his father got the coaster because he was about the only guy with cash in his pocket. The rest of the “high-rollers” only carried checkbooks.
Dr. Norman J. Dean now lives in Maryland and sends me an email now and then with thoughts and questions I can’t answer. (e.g. “ Do you happen to know if steam-powered trains were still in service at the Cleveland station around 1951? I seem to recall that the train that took me from Cleve. to Fort Meade, MD in '51 was steam powered.”) The funny thing about it is that sometimes the questions are more informative than any answer I could give. And thus do I digress once again. But thanks, Doc.
On December 12, 2016 Jack died:
DR. NORMAN J. DEAN Norman J. Dean “Jack”, M.Sc., Ed.D., died on 12/12/16 at age 83. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Robinson Dean, a son, Norman E. Dean, daughter Linda Dean Smith and two grandsons, Nathaniel Miles Dean and Caleb Robinson Church, brothers James, Rolfe, and Dan. He was predeceased by his sister, Thelma Dean Rust, and his parents, Francis and Faye Dean of Vermilion, Ohio.
He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Jackson, Cady Church and Hope Lauber.
Mr. Dean held degrees in Science Education from Towson University and the University of Maryland, and in Physical Sciences from Syracuse University. He ran Harford County's three school planetariums from 196S to 1983, and lectured in Physics and Astronomy at several Maryland colleges, He assisted MMI Corp. of Baltimore in importing Japanese planetarium systems, and wrote two manuals for Japanese planetariums. He created a comic strip, "Dr. Krockter" for the, International Planetarium Society, and copyrighted two songs, "Gift of the Florida Sky" and Bel Air, Maryland." Many young people remember him as the voice narrating the annual frog and turtle races, which he did every Fourth of July in Bel Air for over twenty years. He sang with the Soundsations Chorus in Fort Pierce, Florida for eleven consecutive winters. He was a Past-President of the Harford Cecil Association of Insurance Agents, and of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society. He was a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Planetary Society. At age 19 he was one of the youngest commissioned officers in the US Army, and was awarded the National Defense Service medal.
His great-grandchildren were the greatest joy in his life.
Funeral arrangements will be by Kurtz FuneralHorne in Jarrettsville, MD.
God rest your soul. You did some fine work while visiting this world.
…In the action of Sloane versus Beimiller, the issue involved the question of the right of a shore owner to control the fishing privileges of the bay or lake waters opposite his property. The decision was that he had no right to so control. In this case Mr. Goodwin appeared for the plaintiff, and Counselors Dougherty and Root for the defense.
Another important action was that growing out of the loss in a terrible storm on Lake Erie, of the schooner Ellen Marr, laden at this port with wheat consigned to Buffalo. The owner of the wheat sued the owners of the boat for the loss of the cargo, upon the ground that the loss was in consequence of over-loading, which was, they claimed, mismanagement, and for which they were liable. Not only was the boat and cargo lost but the entire crew perished with her. In this case were Parish & Sadler, and Beecher & Campbell, they being about the only practicing lawyers in the county at the time, Mr. Elentheros Cooke having practically retired from the profession to engage in politics, and in this field he was, for many years, a prominent, central figure.
Another of the early and somewhat important criminal cases was the Bristol robbery case, out of which grew three trials, and created considerable interest at the time. This was during the incumbency of Counsellor F. W. Cogswell in office of district attorney of the county. The prisoners, of whom there were four or five, were defended by Counselors Homer Goodwin and Northway.
The State against Gilchrist, the prisoner being charged with the murder of one Philo, was another of the thousands of cases tried in the old court-house. In this the county's prosecutor was assisted by C. B. Squire, esq., an attorney during the infant days of the county, while the defense was conducted by Messrs. L. S. Beecher and M. Root. The prisoner was indicted for murder, but the court accepted a plea of guilty to a crime of less magnitude. The defendant, Gilchrist was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of years.
Such, then, is a brief mention of a few of the thousands of cases that have occupied the time and attention of the court, the counselors and the juries that, from time to time, have been connected with the old court-house, now a thing of the past. The old building is gone and not a trace of its existence is now visible, save only in its past record.
But it was not alone the court-house building that engaged the attention of the first board of county commissioners, as provision had to be made for a place of confinement for offenders; and this was one of the things for the furnishing of which the proprietors and likewise the citizens were pledged. For this purpose on the 8th day of November, 1841, Isaac Mills, one of the proprietors, executed his deed of conveyance to the county, for jail purposes, a lot on Jackson street, numbered eighteen. This deed, however, was not presented to the commissioners until the 21st of January 1842. On this lot was built the first county jail. It was erected at the expense, mainly, of the citi-…
MORE LAGOONS: This card, believe or not, is rather unusual. I don’t know that it’s rare – just unusual. It’s unusual because The Vermilion News produced it. I don’t believe it was printed by the News, but it was their pic and they also sold it.
There are a number of Lagoon pix in circulation. This one is just a little bit different from most. I think the lagoon inlet in the pic is the Superior Lagoon before any of the homes were built along it. This was probably from the late 30s or early 40s.
On the back someone wrote that the lagoons were perfect for ice fishing in the winter.
I just changed my Facebook name to ‘No one’ so when I see stupid posts I can click like and it will say ‘No one likes this’.
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'".
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.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandma's Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from MARGARET SANDERS BUELL by Amy O'Neal, ELIZABETH THOMPSON and MEG WALTER (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON'S LATEST BOOK "The Private War of William Styron" is available in paper back for $15.00 with tax and can be purchased locally at Buxton and Buxton Law Office in Urbanna, ordered from any book store, Amazon.com or Brandylane Publishing Company. A signed, hard back edition may be purchased from Mrs. Buxton directly for $30.00 by writing her at Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175 and including $6.00 for tax, postage and packaging.
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a 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
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
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-Pierre Corneille.
Vol. 14. Issue 42 - December 24, 2016
Archive Issue #719
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