Vermilion Views

Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live

PSHEW!!!: One wouldn't know by looking at this photograph - but I just got in under the proverbial wire (which is in this case a pun) with this particular issue of "Views" today. You will note that I was experimenting with a photo technique using this picture. And whilst that work-ed pretty well I took my experimenting/tampering with my computer equipment a tad further.

It is my intent to set-up a wireless computer network. I thought it might be nice to have an ability to use another computer in another place in the house (such as the couch where I was sitting when I took the above photograph),and have the ability go on-line and print things wirelessly.

I should add that I have the propensity to start doing technical things without fully reading directions. That is definitely not a character asset.

The result was that not only did I fail to set-up a wireless network - but I also succeeded in losing my internet connections entirely.

Having placed myself in such a position more than a few times prior to this I did not panic. This, however, did not prohibit me from feeling like I had a great hole in my stomach. Fortunately, I figured out how to get things back in-line at about 7am. Unfortunately, I am still wired.

I think I'll try reading the textbook before I make my next attempt to go wireless. And wiping the sweat from my brow all I can say is, PSHEW!!!

SYLVESTER: Josiah Pelton had eight children: Josian (Jr.) Sylvester A.(pictured), Austin, Franklin, Phoebe, Charlotte, Lucy, and Allen. All the children figured prominently in the development of the Village of Vermilion (incorporated in 1837) in various capacities both in business and government.

As I work my way through the history of this hamlet I have become sensitive to the fact that there are numerous ties between individuals and families that, by and large, make a great deal of sense [because Vermilion, Ohio was hardly a place boasting a large populace] but relationships which I, nonetheless, have heretofore missed. The case of Sylvester Pelton is a prime example of my myopic vision.

Sylvester Pelton was, as is obvious, brother to Allen. Allen was married to Fannie Cuddeback. Allen and Fannie had a son named Lester. And, Lester, achieved worldwide fame as the Father of Hydroelectric Power.

Sylvester married the daughter of Vermilion's Pioneer Woman; Charlotte Sturges. They had a daughter named Anna Maria. She married the oldest son of the Rev. Jotham Weeks Goodell [see Dedication Sermon of Jotham W. Goodell, 1843]. Anna Maria's husband's name was William.

William lost his life in a flash flood in Port Angeles, Washington in 1863. She and the children returned to Vermilion the following year.

I am extremely happy to have this photograph of a very prominent Vermilionite of years gone bye. It came to me (the long way) from Washington State from my friend Mary Michaelson - co-cureator of the Lynden Washington history museum.

A BIGGY IN '35: This photograph is among the several dozen electronically sent "Views" from Birmingham resident, and historian, Bill Cutcher some time ago. Tis a scan of an old newspaper clipping from 1935 and the text is readable.

Most folks familiar with Vermilion history have seen photographs of other large fish taken from Lake Erie. The one of Russ Eberle with the six plus foot sturgeon taken during the 1950's has been widely circulated. And two others; one of what was likely another six footer taken by fisherman Bill Eberle in the 1930's; and another (a Dick Koontz photo) of fisherman Ken Keller holding a four foot Mississippi Bullhead appear in the 2006 Vermilion Area Archival Society calendar.

So while big Lake Erie fish are rarely caught they do plainly exist in the waters. I know that in several fishing communities about the Great Lakes that numerous large fish have been caught. So this is not something just confined to Vermilion's port. It has happened all over the lakes.

It is, however, extremely unlikely that any fresh-water sports angler will ever snag something of this size.

THE M&E CHURCH: Some of the old postcards showing Liberty Avenue from the corner of Main/Division Street looking west have a hint of this church in them. Once upon a merry old time it sat on the southeast corner of Liberty and Grand Streets. And it was a highly popular place of worship.

Folks worshiped in this church unti 1927 when a declining congregation caused it to merge with the Vermilion Congregational church.

While the church was used for a time for local Boy Scout meetings or basketball practices as one can see it was eventually used as a plumbing shop. And also, as one can see, it was destroyed by fire (in the very late 20's or early 30's).

While this is not the great photograph in the world it is the only true photograph I've ever seen of the church. Note also, in the foreground, the brick street and the rails for the Lake Shore Electric RR down the middle of Liberty Avenue.

ROSEDALE: While there are a goodly number of photographs of Joseph Swift's/Nicholas Wilber's manse on the Gore Road in Swift's Hollow south of Vermilion, Ohio few are as pretty as this. Remove all the innocuous nonsense about dead children and ghosts; take a look at the reality of the place. It was, in a word, marvelous.

What a place this must have been!

Think about it. The home was, for all intents and purposes, in the middle of the Ohio wilderness of the mid 19th century. It was so very unusual - marvelous. What wonderful things actually transpired there. Now those things have been nearly forgot for the sake of cheap thrills for shallow minds.

PARSONS STORAGE: I had almost forgotten that I took these photographs. I didn't mark them individually, but these shadows were captured in early December or late November of 1998.

At the time I was just being introduced to some of my grandfather's b&w photographs, was enamoured by them, and was looking to take similar photographs of my own.

Very far from being great pix I am still glad that I took them. The pic is, of course, of the bare-bones of the Parsons Boat Storage buildings going up on the property once occupied by the Crow Lumber Company. I believe those buildings will be standing for a long time to come.

In addition to these photos I also captured the rasing of the old McGarvey's restaurant building along the river and the phases involved in building the Red Clay restaurant on the same property. Unfortunately I lost the rasing pics. But I still have the Red Clay photographs.

The photo below is a record of McDonald's restaurant being constructed at the front of the parkinglot in the South Shore Shopping Center. It was taken at about the same time as the Parsons picture (c.1998).

One thing folks might note is that these pix - while they are not old - are of some historic value. Ergo; keeping taking and saving those pictures, friends. You may not believe it, but they do have value beyond yourself and your families.

WHAT'S A FOOT: The Vermilion Area Archival Society 2006 Historic Calendar featuring Vermilion's fishing industry is now only available from myself, Sandy Neiding and Brummer's Candy Shop. While noting that these are calendars - please also note that they are collectors' items. This means that they're good for 100 years. These are new calendars that feature Vermilion's fishing industry. Anyone interested in one of the calendars can also contact me. They cost $5.00. Shipping and handling for out-of-town mailing is about $1.35. There only a few left. So get on it folks!

Also note that there are (unfortunately) some mistakes on the calendar. The name of Sue Backus under the "Business and Corporate Sponsors" heading is spelled incorrectly. And the month of March is listed incorrectly as being "2005". The days of the actual month, however, are correct for 2006.

I also have a few historica calendars from 2000. However; they're numbered and cost a great deal more than the VAAS calendars.

Please take the time to visit (or re-visit) the Hope Children's Home site linked below because there are some additions there that you might find interesting. With all the bad things happening on the "dark continent" it's really nice to know that there are some places where the light does shine brightly. Please keep in mind that the needs of Hope Children's Home are on-going. Contributions to that home may be made to Larry Hohler in New York.

Also Larry sent me some pix taken in Kenya a few weeks back. I don't know if they're on their webpage yet - but they've got chickens!!now. And that's a big deal when you don't have much of anything.

He will, shortly, be heading for Kenya for a visit.

CLASS REUNION UPDATES: Here's a new item: Attention HVS Class of 1976. Youur 30th Reunion is upon near! It will be on June 17th, 2006@the Vermilion Boat Club 7:30 pm to Midnight.Pass the word. You can call Janet@967-4915 with addresses of fellow classmates or Email:jantanze@aol.com. The mailing address is:VHS Class of 1976 PO Box #872 Vermilion, OH 4089.

If something changes you'll see it here.

Some folks use this page as a portal to the Classes of '60 to '62 webpage I'm placing the link back here. But it would be a very wise move if folks involved with that page made a note of its URL and posted it in their notes as well as those contacting their classmates.

I was unaware of it but more than just a few folks do use this site as a link to their respective class sites - so - here's the VHS Class of 1959's site back for your convenience too: Remember that site is located at: Class of '59 and it'll be updated it as Roger (Boughton) receives enough new pictures and information from classmates to make it worth reading. So send him any information that you would like to share with other classmates and he'll put it up for all to see and view.

It is my understanding that some of these links are not working, or not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages.

Bird-flu comes to America!!

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.

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