AUGUST 1914: This much published photo of a parade on Liberty Street is a beauty. I don't know how much has ever been said about it [other than in passing], but it is rich in detail. As I move along looking at the history of Vermilion, Ohio various pieces of past events begin to fall into place. This is one.
This Firemen's Convention took place in late August 1914. At the moment I have no idea of precisely where all the firemen attending the convention came from - but there must be a more specific record of the event somewhere. I may have glossed over it in the micro files of The Vermilion News.
The reason I come across a date for the event now is (actually) a long story. However; let it suffice for me to say that it cooincides with the often published photographs of the first plane to land in town.
As I pointed out in a previous edition of "Views" that plane was piloted by a man named Tony Jannus, and that the plane landed on the Vermilion River on August 30, 1914.
Although this was a highly unusual event in Vermilion it was not an uncommon occurance in any mid-western or eastern city, town, or village during that era. In the early days of flight barnstormers, like Jannus, earned their keep by flying exhibitions and giving rides to folks anywhere and everywhere the opportunity arose.
That which is notable about Jannus is that he is, historically, a very important flier. He was the first commericial airline pilot in the world.
That's not the reason he came to town (he came to make some money); and I'm quite sure that few, or no, folks knew or recognized the significance of the man when he landed here. Because there was a big event taking place in town. It was a Firemen's Convention.
AUGUST 1943: At least six homes in the Vermilion area, plus Maple Grove Cemetery, felt the wrath of a tornado that tore through the region on August 13, 1943.
In the picture above sits the house and barn of Charlie and Katie Krapp at Stop 130 W. Lake Road before the storm. Below is all that was left afterward. For those unfamiliar with the area it is across the road from Sherod Park just east of Coen Road. A pretty gabled brick home now sits on the spot.
The life of Katie's cousin, Mrs. Josephine Lowe, 70, of Cleveland, who was visiting was lost in the storm. Although both women had taken refuge in the basement of the home it had not been enough cover for Mrs. Lowe. Mrs. Krapp had been trapped under debris for 45 minutes after the tornado and, fortunately, only suffered minor injuries.
Charity Sherod's [who was a Lorain Hospital nurse] home across the street was also hit, but there were no injuries. Fred Krapp's (Charlie's brother) home and barn next door were also damaged, but were not destroyed.
West of there, along Risden Road, the Clyde Risdon Farm also took a hit from the storm that took down a mile and a half of telephone and electric lines as well as an entire apple orchard on Mason Road to the south.
These particular photographs came to me courtesy of Charlie and Katie's granddaughter Ruth Bauman Tanner. Alice Risdon Stuckey has also provided me with additonal photos of the storm damage.
GOOD GULF: This photo came to me from Jill and Marcia Martin. They are two of G.P. Martin's daughters. This is, of course, the Gulf Service Station on the corner of Liberty and Grand Streets - now the ambulance garage. After a fire consumed the old wood structure that served Mr. Martin as his Pontiac Dealership home he built this place. This, as I've said many times previous, was/is one of my favorite Vermilion buildings. That is - it is my favorite as it appears in this pic. The smooth lined '40's architecture style appeals me. If one looks closely you'll see that that which was once designed as a showroom was (when this photo was taken) a lunch room. Ironically, that is how I perceived it long before I saw this photo.
But of no small interest here is the home next door. There are, to my knowledge, very few pictures of that house. And I don't believe that people unfamiliar with this era can visualise a house of this size in that location. But there it is.
In my memory it served as a duplex for some time before it was razed. I recall that Bob and Donna Boone lived upstairs here when they were first married. I also have a vague memory of Gordon "Duke" and Harley Winlon living there with there mother for a number of years.
GUESS WHO?: Here's a photo that should raise a few eyebrows. I have zero memories of this person - tho I always knew of him. The photo is rare - one of a kind - and will be entered into the vaults of the Vermilion Area Archival Society for posterity.
Born in January of 1884 this is the baby picture of one Otto Full. Otto was Ray Full's father.
The photograph is courtesy of Dawn Full. I made an attempt to scan the picture maintaining the integrity of the original/actual photo.
A PAINTING: I Find this to be somewhat amazing. This, of course, is a painting. What I find amazing is the fact that this image is a digital photograph of the painting electronically transmitted. It reproduced so well that someone asked me if they might have the picture I printed of it so that they might frame it.
I hope I'm not wrong - but I think that the picture of the painting was captured by "Viewer" G. Hoffman the painting owner.
It's really a great portrait.
TINY: Were it not for Jim Smith I might have forgotten about such things as this; when stock car racing was young. Today the "stocks" are so sophisticated their pioneer days across our nation have all but been forgot.
As a youngster I just caught the end of those times. They were both loud and exciting.
Jim let me scan numerous pix of Vermilion boys and their stock cars. Some are still shots and some are action shots. This still is of "Tiny" Balogh. I couldn't miss him in a crowd of faces.
Tiny lived with his mother - first in a very strange domicile near the beach on Main Street (across from F.W. Wakefield's Harborview manse) - and then in Chuck and Goldie Barber's old house on the west side of Perry Street near South Street. I would have forgotten "Tiny" had it not been for this picture.
He died in the Perry Street home, where he lived alone after his mother passed. Nobody found him for days. He was a bachelor, and in later years kept to himself. I always wondered why he never married. He was a fairly handsome fellow and, to my knowledge, had a good job. I believe he was a heavy equipment operator. I suppose it was his choice. I also suppose we'll never know the answer to that question.
But I sure am glad that Jim has these pix.
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.
Bruce Eldridge tells me that he and John Hunter just secured the Amvets hall for their 45th 60,61 & 62 class reunion. The reunion will be Sat. July 22, 2006. John Hunter, class of 1960, will be starting a web site in May or June of 2005. Bob Wolford, class of 1961, will be sending out a letter to all the classmates who attended our 40th class reunion asking them to update their E-Mail and help find other classmates.
Shelly Clipson Shock from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 20th reunion will be held on Saturday, June 25th at the Vermilion Boat Club, 7:00 PM to ? Cost is 30 dollars per person, includes meal and bar. Please contact Karen Williams-Rossi to submit money. Family picnic will be held on Sunday, June 26th at Mill Hollow Park. Cost is 5 dollars per family. Please bring a side dish or dessert. The main dish and beverages will be provided.. The name of the organizer is Kim Schultz."
From Roger Boughton comes the following note: Thanks to Gail Lyon and Pat and Glenn Owen we have some additional pictures of our reunion held last October. Take a visit to our website and see what's new. Memories of this October are only a click away. Enjoy and remember.....if you send pictures we'll share with others on our website. Mary Ann is busy writing stories for her Virginia paper. You'll want to visit the site and read her thoughts on Liberty. Keep the pictures coming as classmates who were not able to attend are enjoying seeing "old" school mates. Also, you might want to send us news from and about your family and we'll include it on our web site. Our survey clearly indicated that most wanted our reunion held in Vermilion in 2009. Thus, we'll be celebrating our "special" occasion (50th Reunion) in September of 2009. Put it on your calendar and plan to join the fun. Remember our web site is located at: Class of '59 and I'll update it 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. There's not much going on right this moment, but 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.3, Issue 9, May 21, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant