Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: It’s Crystal on both desktops! I like the aerial pic and the map allows folks to see where things were (aside from the obvious site of the roller coaster). I remember most of the amusements. When I was in my early teen years, I spent more than a few days hanging out at the Casino at the back of the park. I didn’t have much money, but it didn’t cost anything to stand around and watch the crowd. I used to like picnic days when lots of people visited the part and they danced in the Casino. I wasn’t a dancer. Just a watcher.
The map shows the location of the ball field. I don’t know if it was still there when I was a kid. This map is from 1948. I was 4-years-old at that time. Nine or ten years later the ball field may have been gone.
I liked the park and the big dance hall / roller skating rink. But the majority of my free time in those early teen years was spent in front of Hart’s Corner Drug Store or in Exchange Park watching traffic. Folks didn’t refer to Exchange Park as “Rubberneck” Park for nothing.
I rubbernecked in both parks. It’s a wonder I still have a head.
SOMETHING MY FATHER-IN-LAW SAID: My father-in-law (George Diener) while sitting relaxed in front of his cottage at the Olympic Club (now our home) on a warm summer day long ago used to say, “My get up and go, got up and went.”
I thought it was an amusing thought – until now.
I don’t remember how old he might have been when he said it. But nearing my 75th year on earth; sitting on the couch in our living room with my feet up with the cat curled up beside me; reading a book and listening to the radio; the thought rings very true to me.
I don’t know who gets the last laugh here, but I know it’s not me.
Historically,
RONNIE: Until I happened upon this snap during the week I’d forgotten that Vermilionite Ron Eppler played the trumpet. Somewhere in my dusty memory bank I remember him carrying that trumpet.
This is, of course, the Vermilion High School band playing for some event in Exchange Park. You can see part of the Kishman Fish house in the background.
What amazes me about Ron is that he’s hardly aged since this pic was taken. He’s evidently found the Fountain of Youth and is keeping it to himself. Also (I’m not 100% certain) the fella standing next to him may be Dave Hurd.
This is a nice snap.
THE VERMILION TOWNSHIP HALL: Accompanying the column this week is a photo of the Vermilion Township Hall on the northwest corner of Ohio and (Division) streets.) I can't date the year of this photo exactly. However, there are no fire escapes on the building (they were added in June of 1908), and looking at the gentleman walking the baby in a carriage on the sidewalk I'd guess it's a fine morning on a spring day about 1905.
The Town Hall was built in 1883. The pinnacle over the highest part of the structure no longer exists. And the wrought-iron work at the top of the building is gone. The wrought iron was once stored in the auditorium on the top floor of the building. What follows is a brief and concise history of the great building.
Of all the public buildings in Vermilion, Ohio there is perhaps none of more historical worth than Vermilion's Township Hall. That value far exceeds any monetary/real value of the property. And no small part of the reason for this is the fact that after 135 years "It's still all there”: The offices, the voting room, the Opera House; and the memories".
Those memories began in the year 1878 when the Ohio Legislature passed a bill authorizing Township Trustees to erect a town hall in the Village of Vermilion. In the spring of 1882 a majority of villagers voted in favor of building the hall, and a site on the corner of South and Grand Streets was purchased for that purpose. However, due to the fact that "a majority of Township people favored a site nearer “downtown" another property was purchased from Jacob Nieding and Vermilion Village early in 1883. It lay just west of the Public Square and north of Ohio Street.
Township Trustees at the time were: F.C. McConnelly, N. Fischer, and Jesse Ball. Columbus, Ohio architects, Terrill and Morris, drew up the initial plans, and local builder B.S. Horton was awarded the construction contract. Of six bids for that contract his was the lowest. It was $12,500. On August 1st of 1883 construction of the Vermilion Township Hall commenced.
By November 1st the Erie County Reporter stated that the building had begun to take on an "attractive appearance". On the 22nd the roof was completed. And on the 29th the land around the new building was graded for a sidewalk that would be laid along the Ohio Street part of the structure.
In early December a heating apparatus had been installed in the northwest room of the building and was operational. On December 20th it was announced that St. Mary’s Church would be the first organization to rent the hall to be used for a fair.
On Tuesday evening, January 22, 1884 public dedication services of Vermilion's newly constructed Town Hall were held. An estimated 10 to 12 hundred well-wishers from the village and adjoining towns attended. After speeches by local politicians local men and women performed three tableaux, on the Opera House stage. Later in the eve folks danced in the voting room to music provided by the Great Western Band until the wee hours (4 a.m.) of the following morning.
The crowd was said to be so large that many in attendance were unable to dance. This experience led more than a few folks to opine that the building should have been twenty or thirty feet longer - a detail which, however insignificant it may seem is, nonetheless, quite extraordinary (historically). In any case, for the next 50 years the Vermilion Town Hall served as the literal hub of village political and social life.
With a seating capacity of 352, and a Gallery capacity of 111 more than a few medicine shows, minstrel shows, lectures, plays, high school graduations, wedding receptions, and numerous other civic sponsored productions took place on the 2nd floor Opera House stage. Sundry items necessary for these productions were often hoisted by cable to the back stage door on the west side of the building.
The first floor featured a council chamber, trustees' hall, voting room, dressing room, kitchen, dining room, courtroom, and a jail replete with six bunks. Most of these rooms, although modified for various purposes through the years, remained in active use until 2005 when township offices were moved to a new facility.
Best of all, it was all "paid for". Total cost for the entire finished project - property site, building construction, furnace, seats/chairs, landscaping, chandeliers, coal oil lamps, frescoing, grading, grate for office, one half cistern, sidewalks, and architects - had come to a whopping total of $16,805.
For a little village of 1,090 people it was a monumental, but very worthy, project. Moreover, the Vermilion Town Hall, as previously stated, remains much the way it was almost 135 years later. Yup, it’s all still there: The offices, the voting room, and the 2nd floor Opera House.
[NOTE: This story was adapted from a Yesteryear story that appeared in the VPJ 04/27/2006. One of several things of some significance omitted in that piece is the fact that prior to the building of the town hall one of Vermilion’s first schools occupied the site. It is mentioned near the very beginning of the book “A Pioneer’s Search For An Ideal Home” written by a lady named Phoebe Goodell Judson (1831-1926): “Our childhood days were spent together in the little town of Vermilion, Ohio…We attended the same church and the same district school…there were only two of each in town. These two buildings stood side by side….” Phoebe’s father, Rev. Jotham, was the minister of the church next to the school. The school later morphed into a blacksmith’s shop…]
- October 14, 2018 / Rev. 01.05.19
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips are dictated transcriptions from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
A dispatch to the news from Washington, D. C., Tuesday afternoon, gave the population of Vermilion as 1369. In 1900 population was 1184, making a net increase of 185. This may be a disappointment to many but in view of the fact that Vermilion lost some 40 persons by the detachment of two sections of the corporation, it isn’t bad. If this detachment had not been we could have shown an increase of 225. Our percentage of increase is about 15, which exceeds some of our neighbors neighboring towns. Sandusky has increased only 2 ½ per cent.
1900 1910 Gain
Huron 1708 1755 48
Milan 653 696 43
Vermilion 1184 1369 185
Kelly’s Island 1174 1017
Berlin Heights 625 554
Sandusky gained 325
Kelly’s Island lost 157
Berlin Heights lost 71
The total gain in Erie County was 677.
In Lorain County Amherst has made a gain of 348 or nearly 11 percent and now has 2106.
Wellington only gain 37 a net gain of less than 2 percent and now has 2131.
Grafton lost 143.
Rochester gained over 11 per cent. And now has 186 residents.
Thus it may be seen that the gain at Vermilion is not so bad after all and leads all the nearby towns.
Lanham’s Lyric Players are at the Opera House this week. Monday evening the house was crowded to witness the opening play, The Vampire. Carl Lanham appeared in the title role and enacted his part in a first class manner.
Franklin McNarry who has been before Vermilion audiences many times is so well-known that we can only say that he is better than ever.
The others of the company take their parts with ease.
The specialties are also extra good and enjoyed by all.
There is a change of bill each night and if anyone wishes to spend an evening of enjoyment there is the place to go.
The auditorium and stage of the Opera House have been greatly improved by H. E. Rose and assistants. The decorations are tasty and the curtains and scenery make the stage appear entirely different. There is only one regrettable thing, the hall is not large enough.
An indictment for larceny returned by the grand jury against Edward Bostater of Huron was noted. According to the testimony introduced it took about $2 belonging to the Weichel Wheel Co. of Huron.
Two Amherst women filed suits in the local court Tuesday morning, Mrs. Augusta Hass, of that village seeking a divorce from her husband Frank, who she claims deserted her and her son Amiele, three years ago.
Mrs. Anna Dougherty will be satisfied if the court allows her reasonable alimony from Robert Dougherty, who she claims has beaten her into insensibility on several occasions and also squandered large sums of money on drink.
Mrs. James Jackson is reported ill at her home at the Jackson Hotel.
B. A. Kuss attended the druggist convention at Columbus last week.
Mrs. John Nickel, Sr. is reported on the sick list.
Master Earl McMasters reported is on the sick list.
Miss Anna Brill is reported on the sick list.
Miss Violet Baker who is been ill the past two weeks was able to resume her duties at her school on Monday.
The funeral of the late George Sippel was held Saturday morning at the St. Joseph’s church at 9 A.M. Rev. Espn [sic] officiated. Interment was made at the Calvary Cemetery Lorain.
The many friends of Fred Schuller son of Justus and Mrs. E. C. Sure, were horrified to learn of his sudden death at Toledo, Saturday, where he accidentally fell between the wheels of the train, his body was cut to with the waist.
The deceased would’ve been 306 next June, he was being you being a graduate of the local schools. Born in Amherst he lived here until 17 years ago when he entered the employ of the Lakeshore Railroad, He was considered one of the most careful employees on the road.
Eight years ago he was married to Miss Lula white, of Polasky, Kentucky. He is survived by his wife, parents and several brothers and sisters. The remains were brought here on Tuesday noon and the funeral was held at 130 Tuesday afternoon at the M. E. Church and burial was made in Crown Hill Cemetery.
The Leimbach brothers butchered for market Monday.
Mr. Elver Huessner assisted the Leimbach brothers buzzing wood Tuesday.
Miss Montgomery the school mistress is sick and has not been able to teach for a couple of days.
Charles Bissell bruised his foot badly Monday morning while sawing wood a log fell on it.
Miss Elsie Berkmeyer who has been ill for the past few days is on the gain.
Mr. Geo. Holden met with an accident last Tuesday, while getting out logs one rolled on him and broke a ligament in his leg.
W. P. Funk, the merchant, has been quite ill with the Grippe, there was a fear of pneumonia, but he is now out of danger.
Our Joppa correspondent said the water wagon was delayed we were sorry to hear it, for there were several here that wanted to ride in it.
James Cuddeback has a number of contracts for breakwaters on hand which will keep him busy all summer.
Did the new telephone agent call on you last Saturday? It looks as if we’re we were going to have a new line through here this summer.
The purchaser of the Johnson farm will put in a breakwater on the lakefront in the spring.
In the spring the lake shore electric, so reported will extend their wires to middle Wanda for the purpose of furnishing electric lights there. They are in working order as far as Ramsey Park at present.
The NEWS is heartily in accord with the man who would like to have a law enacted prohibiting a person who pays no taxes becoming an office holder where he has the handling of public monies or the power of assessing the taxpayer.
The young people of Brownhelm are greatly enjoying the skating by Mr. Koppenhafer’s spond.
Shattuck and Curtiss who for the past 18 years have been conducting the general merchandise store here, have sold to Waugh and Zilch, both of whom or who are well known here. Mr. Zilch spent all his life in Brownhelm except the past three years during which he has been farming near Oberlin. Mr. Waugh married Mr. Zilch’s sister and spent a year or so here. He is been working in a grocery and butcher shop in Lorain. Both intend to move their families here in the early spring.
The Stmr. Leland went to the bottom of the slip one day last week. She was badly damaged by fire several weeks ago.
The officers of the Mutual Telephone Company held a business meeting last Tuesday. Over 200 phones have been installed during the past year and the outlook for the next year is reported most favorable.
Carl Hauff had the misfortune to lose a valuable cow one day last week.
Mrs. Charles Delker visited her husband at Marine Hospital Cleveland Tuesday.
Capt. Peter Full underwent a slight operation at St. Joseph’s Hospital last week in which a growth was removed from his nose.
Mrs. W. E. Derr was taken to a sanitarium in Marion Saturday, where it is hoped she may regain her health.
Mrs. Charles F. Decker was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, Cleveland yesterday for treatment. Mrs. Decker has been ill for a long time and it is hoped that a course of hospital treatment may restore her to health.
Mrs. Lind is reported quite ill at her home on Exchange Street.
The daughter of Rev. Harrold living at Caledonia, O., Reported worse, and unless reported improved he will spend part of next week with her.
A number of Vermilionites attended a smoker at Lorain Monday evening. A jolly time is reported.
Hmmmmmm....
VERMILION’S OLDEST SALOON: While looking for something else I found this old article (I think) in an issue in an edition of the Elyria Chronicle (newspaper). It’s an advertisement, but it’s also very informative. It’s not fake history.I looked up Ebenezer Warner and sure enough Ebe did live in Vermilion during the time stated in the piece. Folks from my era know the place as the Lemon Tree Lounge, and may also remember the Top of the Tree Restaurant. Unlike the saloon at the bottom of the tree, it did not last. Today the old saloon is more of a restaurant than beer joint. It’s called Woodstock. But over the years it’s had numerous names: Conner’s, Eland’s Café, Lefties, the Brass Horn, and Flashback.
It’s amazing to know that it is basically what it’s always been for about 185 years.
…two o'clock on the morning of the 31st the rebels made an advance, whereupon the brigade to which the Third belonged was advanced as skirmishers; at four o'clock the line was driven in by Wheeler's Cavalry, and after a sharp battle of two hours was driven from the field. The next morning General McCook's Corps ammunition train was captured, but the Second and Third Battalions of the Third made a dash and re-captured the whole train, as well as a large number of prisoners. In this efficient work the Third sustained thirteen killed and a large number wounded.
The year 1863 witnessed many stirring events for the regiment. On the 1st the Third left the field to escort a train of four thousand wagons to Nashville for supplies. The train was attacked by the rebel cavalry under Stewart and Wheeler, but the attack was repulsed by the Third, supported by the Tenth Cavalry. During the whole journey the rebels hung about and made frequent attacks, but as often were they defeated by the escorting party. Their duty was at length performed faithfully and well. After this, and after the battle of Stone River, the Third was sent in pursuit of the enemy, and at Middleton, Tenn., attacked the rear guard and captured a wagon train. It then went into camp at Murfreesboro. Here the Second Battalion was detached and sent to Readyville to battle against John Morgan's guerrillas. The Third Battalion, remaining at Murfreesboro, was surrounded by rebels and a surrender demanded, but Lieutenant Brenard, in command, could not see it in that light, and at once ordered a sabre charge, cutting his way out and taking a number of prisoners.
On the general advance of the army from Murfreesboro, in July, the Third was engaged almost daily. In the Sequatchie Valley the enemy was encountered, and a running fight of three days duration ensued. During the battle at Chickamauga the Third occupied the extreme left of the line, and afterward pursued Wheeler's Cavalry through Tennessee, engaging him at McMinnville and Farmington, and in the latter battle secured a large number of prisoners. In November detachments of the Third scouted through the mountains of East Tennessee, and thus ended the year's campaigning.
While at Pulaski, Tenn., in January, 1864, the regiment veteranized, but its ranks were fearfully decimated, the results of its many engagements. It therefore became necessary to recruit and add to its effective strength, there being then but four hundred men fit for duty in the whole command. Through the efforts of Major Skinner and Captain Elisha M. Colver nearly one thousand troops were raised in Northern Ohio, and when the regiment returned to the front, at Nashville, it numbered over thirteen hundred serviceable men. At Nashville the regiment was re-equipped, armed and mounted. Much was expected of the command, and it more than fulfilled that expectation. We find them first engaged with Rhoddy's command at Courtland, Ala., early in May, 1864, at which fight the rebel loss amounted to upward of thirty…
ET: It’s not the one most think of when they see “E.T.”. This one’s my great-grandfather Ernest T. Bottomley. He was born in England and migrated to America with his family when he was about 7 years old. As a kid he went to work in the paper mills on the East Coast in Massachusetts with his dad. He met and married my g-grandmother in the East. She was from Minnesota, and after they married they went there to live where my grandmother and her siblings were born.
In the latter part of the 19th century the family did a reverse migration and moved to Milan, Ohio where he went into business (pictured) with a brother. A few years late they moved to Vermilion and he worked for a time for his son-in-law selling advertising (pictured) for the Vermilion News. He died on 4 May 1916.
I always thought him as both a handsome and interesting person
Returning from a trip to visit her grandmother in Canada, the lady was stopped by a state trooper in New York for exceeding the speed limit. Grateful to have received a warning instead of a ticket, she gave him a small bag of her grandmother's delicious chocolate chip cookies and proceeded on her way.
Later, she was stopped by another trooper. "What have I done?" she asked.
"Nothing," the trooper said, smiling. "I heard you were passing out great chocolate chip cookies."
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'".
Rich; it is our 60th reunion and will be very informal. It looks like this at the present time; Tuesday, JULY 9, 2019.
-4pm Boat ride Vermilion River and Lagoons (Parsons)
-5:30pm Drinks and music on the Patio-Vermilion Boat Club
-6:30pm Dinner - order off the menu Vermilion Boat Club
Replys can be sent to;
Roger Boughton
2205 1th Ave. SW
Ausitn, MN. 55912
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
P.O. Box 437
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol. 16. Issue 46 - January 19, 2019
Archive Issue #827
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