PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH: Once't upon a time - when first I had a digital camera (Aside: It was an RCA 1.5 megapixel from Radio Shack c.1999 which I eventually dropped on the concrete floor of my front porch and broke.) - I took pix of McGarvey's Restaurant as it was being razed. It's a long story, but in my attempt to be both frugal and, of course, smart I lost them. While I still have the flash card on which they were recorded I am unable to recover those images.
I never made that mistake again.
Fortunately I was not the only person to capture the aforementioned event. A Vermilion lady by the name of Dottie Presutto took a series of 15 photographs of the demolition of the legendary eatery. And she was kind enough to lend those photographs to me - and I have now scanned them.
Whew! I was hoping that someone else had taken photogaphs. And with good reason. There are, believe it or not, very few photographs of McGarvey's Restaurant as it appeared in its prime in circulation - let along while it was being demolished.
Dottie's photographs chronicle the demolition from the very beginning (i.e. a view of the empty building) to the (3.30.01) pic seen above.
It's not a pretty picture. The color is visually annoying - ugly. But it was not a wonderful day nor event in local history. And the photo, perhaps, captures that thought.
It was a bad day in river city.
Historically,
VHS CLASS OF 1948
C.1945 (?): Photographs of this VHS class which graduated in 1948 have appeared in "VV" in the past. But none of those pix were originals. This pic was sent to "Views" by a Vermilion expatriate Jean Derby Bauer. Jean now lives in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Long ago Jean's family (her mother was named Nera Lucille, and her dad was Willis) in a house at 838 Exchange Street close to the Nickel Plate Railroad - across the street from the Vermlion Mill.
The markings on this photo indicated that it might have been taken in 1946 or 1947. But Jean writes that it was possibly their first year in (South Street) high school. And I think I would agree with that assessment - and say that the year these shadows were captured was c.1945.
Fortunately the names of most of the students are written on the back of the photo. They are reproduced here as best as I can decipher them:
Back Row L-R: Jim Fitzpatrick, Ruth Miller, Jean Derby, Maryanne Kudela, Thema Dean, June Riednoir, Carol Trinter, Leatha Hampton Reed(?), June McLaughlin, Betty Breen, Martha Kress, Marjorie Sokol Dern.
Middle Row L-R: Ray Ola, Dean Taylor, Dorothy Greenawalt, Phil Tarrant, Floyd Bachman, Unknown, Pat Ruggles, Betty Lou Zess, Larry Shirk, Ray Nelson, Merle Kopenhaffer.
Bottom Row L-R: Robert Kubishke Joan Nabokowski, Marie Hemrick(?), Bob Hoffman, Carolynn (?), Unknown, Pat Wilkes, Richard Jenkins, Roger Reutnik (?).
And a final notation on the back: David reising, Albert and Alberta Taylor, Valencia Taylor. When did Len start school what grade
I just received this photograph yesterday afternoon (6.12.09) so I've not really done much with it beyond that which one can see. But it is one of those rare pieces that I receive that are original - so I wanted to use it today. Most of the school pix that I've used in the past are taken from various publications - and they don't reall reproduce well. But this is a beauty - with names and everyting.
Thanks Jean!
"They also called the place Lefties"
A SHOT FROM THE PAST: Last week I used an old photograph that was taken along Divison Street (c.1899), and in the background was an old saloon that was owned by a man named Jim Nolan. Until, relatively, recently the building continued to house a saloon - though the names, of course, changed. And this picture of a shot glass recalls the years when the place was called "Eland's Cafe". The specific time period that Eland's occupied the building is unknown (to me). But I'd "guesstimate" that it was probably from the end of prohibition (1933) until about 1960 when Dick Macklin assumed ownership and changed the name to the "Lemon Tree Lounge".
When Macklin left for Florida a lady from Lorain, Ohio (Helen) bought the place, and for a number of years Vermilionite Frank Homitz managed it. Later Helen turned the operation over to Don Shanks, who changed the name to "The Brass Horn Saloon". When Don left one of Helen's (previous owner) sons ran a place called "Flashbacks". After that another part ran a place called "Strong Waters" in the building. Eventually that saloon-keeper move the bar around the corner and down the street to the main floor of the old Maud-Elton Hotel and ran a place called "Cloudy's" (after the old ferryman Cloudy Noel). A short time later the entire enterprise just disappeared.
All that's left is this shot glass, and an empty building. "May Auld aquaintence..."
CARDS HALLMARK WILL NEVER PRINT
1. "Congratulations on your wedding day! Too bad no one
likes your wife."
2. "How could two people as beautiful you have such an
ugly baby?"
3. "I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone
to love. After having met you, I've changed my mind."
4. "I must admit, you brought Religion in my life. I never
believed in Hell til I met you."
5. "Looking back over the years that we've been together,
I can't help but wonder: What was I thinking?"
6. "As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am that
you're not here to ruin it for me."
7. "If I get only one thing for Christmas, I hope it's your
sister."
8. "As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you've
given me. Like the need for therapy..."
9. "Thanks for being a part of my life!!!I never knew what
evil was before this!"
10. "Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go,
would like to take this knife?
11. "Someday I hope to get married, but not to you."
12. "Sorry things didn't work out, but I can't handle guys
with boobs that are bigger than mine."
13. "Happy Birthday! You look great for your age...Almost
Lifelike!
"Seventy years ago there was no Edson Street. All there was was a worn path winding through the brush and woodlands..."
CROSSING EDSON CREEK:
During the last several years residents living on Vermilion’s south-westerly side have been frustrated by the condition of “the” main thoroughfare in their section of town. The condition is such that the potholes have developed potholes. Ergo; their plaints to city officials on the subject have been both numerous and sometimes very loud. Presently, the street will be renovated; and complaints satisfied life will return to normal along Edson Street in Vermilion, O. At least it will for a time.
Seventy years ago there was no Edson Street. All there was was a worn path winding through the brush and woodlands grown wild and wonderful on either side of Edson Creek / krik / crique. To the west was a smattering of shacks and homes locals called “the stoveplant allotment” or just “the allotment”. This subdivision was created to facilitate a company interested in the manufacture of (what else?) heating stoves. That company, for reasons unknown to this writer, didn’t last too long. But the houses and streets surrounding it did. And the names of the streets are either those of past U.S. Presidents or the family names of those who once lived there (e.g. Adams and Jackson).
To the east, and up the path from the creek at the top of the hill, were Jefferson and Decatur Streets. Prior to the development of the stoveplant subdivision they had traditionally defined the furthest western borders of the village.
Families living in the allotment during those years were also very “frustrated”. There was no easy access and egress between their homes and the main part of the village. Their choices were 1.) walk down the muddy path through the woods and wade across the creek or: 2.) cross the busy NYC railroad tracks on Adams Street, and follow the equally busy West Shore Road into town. Either way there were no sidewalks.
Although this was not really an insurmountable problem for the adults who opted to live in that area it was a very different story for their children - especially during the school year. Vermilion educators did recognize this as a potential nightmare and subsequently provided bussing for the children living in the neighborhood. Nevertheless, youngsters still preferred the walk. Recognizing these difficulties the men in the Village got together and constructed a footbridge (pictured on the left) along the path to span the creek. The path and bridge, as can be seen, were well-worn.
In the latter part of the 1940’s Village Council and Mayor Fred Fischer made plans to build a new road that would connect Decatur Street to the east and Adams Street on the west. This included the construction of a new bridge over the creek that would accommodate both auto and foot traffic. A Richard “Dick” Koontz photograph (on the right) of the Thompson Street Bridge nearing completion appeared on the front page of “The Vermilion News” weekly newspaper on December 12, 1948.
During the years which ensued other problems with the street came and went. Sometime during the 1960’s the name of the street was changed from Thompson to Edson Street. Apparently Thompson Street in Vermilion was being confused with Thompson Road in the township. Around 1983 the entire street was repaved. Twenty some years later its potholes have developed potholes, and the street is slated to be paved once again.
But potholes or not, Edson is one of the most attractive streets in Vermilion. Perhaps it’s because in some far off yesteryear its course was unceremoniously laid out by a group of fair-haired children lost in a summer adventure grown-ups no longer remember nor understand - crossing Edson Creek.
Ref: The Vermilion News; 8-21-1947, 4-22-1948, 12-2-1948, and 12-15-1949; Special Thanks to Albert C. Tarrant.
8/17/08
1:18 PM
"Can we have a drum roll - Please?"
RECYCLING DURING WW2
RESPONDING TO NEED: During World War Two the sacrifices made by American people were substantial. They had had to do without many things they customarily used - and were asked to recycle most everything (from old cars to the tires they used to run on).
This photograph was taken of a recycling junk pile somewhere in the Village of Vermilion during wartime. Methinks it's interesting to take a close look at the things therein. They boys sifting through the junk certainly found some interest in it.
Old bedsprings, tires, cans, wash tubs, laterns, wood-stoves, and even the body of an auto were part of this magnificent junk pile. It must have been fun sifting throught the debris.
I am unable to identify the site of this photograph. I have some hunches - but nothing definite. Perhaps there is some "Viewer" who can remember or just identify the place where this had been junk deposited.
It's a great photo that is part of the Nichols-Thompson Collection of Vermilion photographs.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND! HELP THE (MY) ECONOMIC RECOVERY!: Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.
I am working on designing some new things. However: If you've not purchased something yet you're missing both the proverbial and literal boat. But, if nothing else, take a stroll through my shop. I keep the floor swept, the windows clean, and my dog don't bite.
And for those who might wonder - this is my shop - and I do make a few bucks selling the items therein...
VERMILION VIEWS GIFT SHOP
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
PODCAST #132: This week Vermilion Views Podcast #132 the cast is Part #2 of an interview of William Roscoe Tarrant of Vermilion, Ohio. Bill was the oldest of eight children born to William B. and Ella G. Tarrant owners and publishers of Vermilion's weekly newspaper - The Vermilion News (1898-1964).
This interview is the second part of what (hopefully) will be many interviews will be recorded of long-time Vermilion citizens over the next few months and years. Because it is the very first it is not exceptionally professional nor comprehensive. But in time their quality should improve.
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting me and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
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 urge you to visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months. They've recently received a significant grant from the Dolan Foundation and are constructing a Manual Training Center for their children and for other young people in that community. This is an exciting project.
Vermilion High School Classes of 1963, 1964 and 1965 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of June 27, 2009. Those interested can contact Ruth Bauman Tanner.
The Vermilion High School Class of 1959 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. Registration can be made through Roger Boughton 2205 SW 10th Ave. Austin, MN. 55912 or you can just emailRoger.
Where's Alice? I found this link interesting. You just never know what Vermilion expatriots are up to - or where their up to doing it. Alice Wakefield is one of those people. So check out his link. Methinks you'll be surprised: Talking Turkey.
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 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
For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
or you can use PayPal:
"Every circus brings its own clowns."
-Anonymous
Vol.7, Issue 13, June 13, 2009
Archive Issue #326
© 2009 Rich Tarrant