YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW: This was the view from the front deck of Cottage #3 at the Olympic Outing Club on October 17th of this year. Rest assured that it doesn't look like this today. Nor does it feel outside like it felt that day - although the weather is been great thus far this season.
It may interest folks to know that the Vermilion Archival Society (VAAS) calendar offered via this website (among other places) has just about sold out. There are a few (very few) left. So if anyone still wants one it would be a good idea to contact me or someone else in the organization soon.
On a related issue (i.e. the VAAS) the society has recently purchased computer equipment and software that will be used to archive items it has collected and will collect. No small part of the objective of the historical group is to allow interested persons an ability to access historic information of Vermilion, Ohio. My assumption is that most persons who knowingly access this page have more than a passing interest in Vermilion and its past. So the acquisition of this equipment represents a great step forward in that endeavor.
Whether you once lived in, now live in, or intend to live in Vermilion you might want to consider joining this historic society.
QUADRENNIAL???: A very creative thought/word from the past. The obvious thought was that it was the 5th Annual convention at Linwood Park. The precise name of the conference is not stated beyond the initials on the flag graphic. But despite that this is a great picture. This is a vessel of substantial size. It causes one to wonder about the draft of the east side of the stream in the early 20th century. One must also wonder about those on board. The assumption has to be (due to their apparel) that they were passengers and not crew. A further assumption might be that the photograph was posed/staged. Not only because all are obviously cognizent of the camera/photographer but, again, because of their dress. The craft may be of good size but it is nonetheless a pleasure boat - not a commercial passenger boat. Were someone to slip over the side wearing all those clothes staying above the water for long would be well out of the question.
It's hard to say but this photo may have been taken from what many people have come to know as Cloudy's Ferry dock. From the angle of the shot and other photographs of Lewis Noel's ferry dock, married to the fact that the path to the dock ran from Linwood this the most likely location of the photographer almost 100 years ago.
HISTORIC ANONYMITY: Here's an interesting story. Some time ago - just after the old Fischer Mansion which once graced the riverbank just north of Liberty Street in the main part of town was razed - I received a telephone call from a woman who told me she had found an old photograph in the walls of the mansion as it was being torn apart. She wanted to know if I might be interested in having it. I never know where anything of this nature is going to lead, but my interest is forever there, and I indicated that I would like (at least) to have a look at what she found.
One day I went to work at the Congregational Church and this tintype/ambrotype was in a blank envelope waiting for me. I have no idea as to who gave it to me or of the identity of the folks in this picture. I find both things to be extremely perplexing. But the picture is wonderful.
I never scanned this item until this week because (at the time) I wasn't sure that I could scan it with any success. I'd also put it in a folder I have marked as "Antiques" and filed it away forgetting it until just now. But wow!
I've been waiting to receive a publication that will help me learn to date photographs by recognizing the clothing of those pictured. When I receive that publication it may be possible to date the photo within at least a decade of its origin. Until then I'm at a loss unless some good sould can tell me who these folks are.
My basic thought is that the tintype predates the time when the mansion was renovated to become a nursing facility. My thought is that such an item would not be placed into the walls of the structure after it had been standing for some years. But who knows?
I did look for a brief history of tintypes. Tintype, I found, is actually a generic term for the photo process. It is referred to "tin" not because the metal upon which the image is etched is actually tin - but rather because the thin metal was usualy cut with a pair of tin-snips. It is extremely pliable. It was popular because it could easily be cut to various shapes an carried in things like lockets and small cases. It was a very popular photo process during the American Civil War for that very reason. The process was actively used from about 1840-50 until 1930-40.
Very interesting stuff. This piece will eventually find its way into the archives of the Vermilion Area Archival Society.
THE LAKESIDE HOTEL: There are several different pictures of the Lakeside house in circulation. This one is rather striking. While the structure (to those familiar with old houses in Vermilion) is readily familiar the latter part of the sign in the front yard affords us an unusual insight to the business place, and the huge screened-in porch tells one of some very warm summer evenings pleasantly passed by many visitors to the lakeshore community.
With the advent of air-conditioning and television the screened porch (or any porch) has gone the way of the horse-and-buggy. Once upon a time folks just sat, talked, and watched life pass by their doorstep on a summer's eve.
LOYOLA'S VERMILION CAMPUS: Hopefully there is someone on Earth who can explain this photograph to me. It is news to me. Nowhere in my meandering through Vermilion's history have I come across this before. I don't know how this could be. This building is quite large. It is next to the lake. But where was it? Did it really exist?
The only place that reminds me of it is the building at Beulah Beach.
Note that the handwriting on the card is not English. The name Lorain is mentioned, and I assume that that name has something to do with the location of this building. Hopefully someone knows about this and will enlighten us.
LINWOOD GATE: There are numerous photographs of Linwood's front gate, but very few of them are as nice as this.
And while on the subject I am interested in knowing if anyone has an old map of Linwood and/or Nokomis Park(s) - particularly if those maps have on them the Shoreline Drive. I'm trying to determine how extensive that road was historically. I know that in some of the writings of the late George Wakefield he describes an old stagecoach trail that ran to the river across from what became the Vermilion waterworks. Such a trail would have logically stopped at the aforementioned location of Cloudy's Ferry dock (originally run by Captain Sturgiss). But the question (from me) is: Did the stage road follow what later became Lake Road/Liberty Street, or did it run along the course that is now known as Shoreline Drive along the lakefront?
CLOSING IN ON THE TARGET: Next issue will contain some of the thoughts readers have submitted re: The Best Christmas Gift they ever received and/or the best Christmas they can remember. One can bet that mine will be under that tree.
I'll be putting the page together prior to Christmas morning so it would be helpful if everyone would bundle their memories up and get them to me early next week. I've received some great stuff already. Please join us by the hearth that day with your thoughts.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES:
Ray Beursken tells me that the VHS class of 1955 has scheduled their 50th class reunion on September 10, 2005 at the Boat Club. Class members of 1955 should put this date on their calendar. They're hoping for a good turnout.
I've been in contact with Bruce Eldridge and John Hunter from the Class of 1960/61 (?) and it looks like they'll have a website up for their class reunion very soon. When its done the link will appear on this page.
A gal named Shelly from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 will be having a 20 year reunion in the summer of 2005......no further details. The name of the organizer is Kim Schultz."
From Roger Boughton comes the following note. His class just celebrated their reunion earlier this month (October): Some classmates have inquired if there are pictures available from our reunion weekend. Yes, and if classmates would send copies to me either through the internet or mail I'll make sure they are placed on our web site for all to see. This would be helpful to those who were not present but would like to see pictures of classmates who were present. Jessie Spring (Sharon Stark) and Mary Lou send their regards and promise to be at our next reunion when ever that might be. There has also been some discussion as to when to hold our next reunion and if we should move it around the country. We'll have a questionnaire that will come out within the next 30-90 days providing you an opportunity to respond and provide your views on what should happen next. Remember our web site is located at: Class of '59 and I'll update it as soon as I receive enough new pictures and information from our classmates to make it worth reading. So send me any information that you would like to share with other classmates and we'll put it up for all to see and view.
I've visited Roger's website and it's fun.
Persons interested in having their VHS (and vicinity) reunion plans posted on this site are welcome to do so. I can't provide anyone with webpages to post their activities in depth, but I can provide a link to existing pages and/or post some activity items here. All anyone need do is contact me at my email address and pass along their material electronically.
I should add that some of the people who are noted in this part of the page are good resource folks for all types of information if one should be looking for some long lost friend. I won't give out contact information unless I have permission from those named, but I will contact them on your behalf if you desire.
As news regarding VHS reunion activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. So stay tuned folks.
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 check the new archives links below.
Links to other sites on the Web
Vol.2, Issue 39, December 18, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant