"...these tools are invaluable to a good scout"
LIKE A GOOD SCOUT: This week I’m kicking off “VV” by using MacSpeech date software. I've been using this software a great deal for about maybe a week now. I'm trying to get it so that it's accurate. So the more I use it the more accurate it becomes. There are a few problems. One of them surrounds the fact that if the software quits and if I'm not looking directly at what it's typing I don't know it. So I could, consequently, lose everything I've written (or said) without immediately realizing it. The only way I can get the software to work precisely is to use it; and then I take what I've written and use the written words to train, or to build, the vocabulary of the software system. It may sound more difficult than it really is. Also, if you look at some of the photographs that I've been using in “Views” – this week – and in previous weeks you can see I've also been using some rather a cool software – photo software that is. The picture of the Scout above is a pretty good example of what I'm talking about. It's a nice picture. What I've done to it is crop it from a much larger picture and then apply different effects from plug-ins that I use with Adobe CS5. The result speaks for itself. You may also note that I've been using the articles from past issues of the Vermillion news. It's easier for me to use MacSpeech Dictate to put these articles into print for the web than it would be for me to type them out. When I was using the microfilm reader at the Vermillion’s Ritter Library I had to make copies various articles, and then bring them home and type the copy I wanted. Now I'm not wasting as much paper. I can just look at the various articles, read them aloud (using MacSpeech Dictate of course), and I can put them into print. It’s real easy. Here's an example:
The Inter Urban.
Work is being pushed on the inter urban. Between Lorain and Kishman, men are at work creating and building culverts. The abutments of the bridge at Oak point are nearly completed and trestles this side of that place are nearing completion. Track is being laid this side of Kishman and workmen will soon be to the point where the road crosses the Shore wagon road. West of here we understand the gap of only a few miles exists. The progress in laying track from the Kishman is somewhat hindered by the transportation facilities, the rails being carried on a small car pushed along by hand. Everyone is in hopes that in a few weeks the road will be completed.
On-My-Honorly,
"In January of that year all four died of Black Diphtheria within six days of one another."
EPILOGUE FOR AN URBAN LEGEND: It has been a full five years since I wrote a series of articles (PJ 1-23-03 through 2-6-03) debunking the urban legend surrounding the place that many people have come to call the “Gore Orphanage”. The series explained that while the word "gore" seemingly refers to that of a bloody wound it, in fact, is actually a topographical description of the land running the length of the road in Lorain County, Ohio where the orphanage was once located. In brief, it describes a triangular piece of land (hence the name "gore"). Prior to the orphanage being established (c.1903) the road was very simply and logically named “Gore” Road. Additionally it was noted that while the orphanage was situated near Gore Road which passes through Swift's Hollow near Birmingham, Ohio it was called the “Light of Hope (also referred to as the Light and Hope) Orphanage”. Perhaps more important, however, is the fact that historical records show that during the 13 years it was in operation the orphanage never burned; and that no lives were ever lost in the facility as the result of fire, pestilence, nor any other catastrophe known to man. In brief, beyond having been an unpleasant situation for a good number of unfortunate youngsters no cataclysmic events - beyond financial bankruptcy - ever visited the institution. And stories of children being burned to death in a terrible conflagration are just that - stories. Through the years young and old folk alike have, however, confused the ruins of the old Joseph Swift Mansion, called Rosedale, with the orphanage site. Stories of the “haunting” of this place go back as far as the latter part of the 1920’s when the then abandoned mansion was actually consumed by fire. An anonymous student from a local college fed the flames of this fantasy by publishing a tract which read in part: “...In one week three children of the owner of the place died of diphtheria and so great was the fear of the “evil eye” that the little bodies were hustled out and buried by night. The graves are on the old place and until within recent years, or so long as the spiritualist colony held forth, food was placed on them each night to appease the angry “Haunts”...” While there are some things in the essay that resemble truth the account was / is purely fictional. Unfortunately a city daily newspaper picked up the account, published it, and an urban legend - that became as destructive as it is very likely annoying to property owners - was born. The truth is that in 1865 an ageing Joseph Swift sold his “Rosedale” mansion to a New York man named Nicholas Wilber. In 1878 Mr. Wilber’s son, Miller, married a Berlin Heights, Ohio lass named Harriet Kellogg. By 1893 Miller and Hattie had four children, Jesse, May, (pictured) and twins Ruby and Roy. In January of that year all four died of Black Diphtheria within six days of one another. At the time of their deaths they were living on the Kellogg Family Farm in Berlin Heights. The children were buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery on Mason Road south of Vermilion. Mrs. Wilber, who never overcame her grief for her young children, turned to a belief Spiritualism for solace. Spiritualism is a religion that began in the United States and flourished from the 1840s to the 1920s—especially, though by no means exclusively—in English-language countries. The religion's distinguishing feature was the belief that the spirits of the dead can be contacted by "mediums," and can therefore provide living people with information about the afterlife. [Note that this was not a rejection of God as the supreme being. Nor was it a form of devil worship.] But it was, in any case, a rather eccentric faith embraced out of a rather bizarre set of circumstances. By 1890 Miller’s father, Nicholas, had apparently sold Rosedale. And when John Sprunger purchased property at the turn of the century to locate his orphanage he purportedly used it to house some of his workers. After Sprunger’s death and the dismantling of the orphanage (1913) Rosedale fell into the ruin that is described in some detail in the previously sited college student’s essay. Eventually, tales of Mrs. Wilber’s spiritualist beliefs, reports of mistreatment of children in the orphanage, the untimely deaths of the four Wilber children, the abandonment and eventual ruin of the once elegant Swift Mansion, Rosedale, combined and were blended into a story that is so utterly fantastic it is hard not to want to believe. It’s the stuff that horror movies are made of. But, in reality, it is naught but baloney. Moreover; it is been hurtful and unjust. The city newspaper that once published the articulate, but fictional, student essay in its Sunday magazine did publish a retraction. But it was too late. The Wilber’s who had loved and cared tenderly for their children in both life and death have become the subject of unjust public derision - albeit historically and somewhat anonymously - via the erroneous urban legend. And that which is left of the architecturally celebrated mansion, Rosedale, has been, and continues to be, despoiled by mindless looters and careless thrill seekers. For whatever reason the truth underlying the urban legend called the “Gore Orphanage” has not been enough to satisfy the public’s appetite for human tragedy; not enough despite the fact that the true stories are much stranger, and perhaps even more beautiful, than fiction. They are the genuine stories of yesteryear.
Ref: Cleveland Plain Dealer story: “Plain Dealer Was in Error” (date unknown); The Vermilion News; 9-18-1930 and 11-27-1930, Special Thanks to Bobbi Riley, Santa Maria, CA.; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 3/13/08; Written 3/9/08 @ 11:56 AM.
The Kroger Gals.
EDITH GRAHAM, ET.AL: This great photograph came to me from "Viewer" Cindy Hacker [Note: The name on the pic "Hatcher" is incorrect.] of Indiana. Cindy was on of several foster children who lived with Vermilionites Edith and Jim Graham.
Edith is pictured (2nd from left side) with three co-workers at what appears to have been a Kroger store fuction. The shadows were likely captured sometime in the late 1950's or very early in 1960. I'm not able to identify the other three women in the photo. So perhaps "Viewers" can help me out. [I believe that Cindy thought that the lady on the far right was a Tischer.]
In 1960 the following piece appears in The Vermilion News:
Edith Graham Resigns As Kroger Manager
After seventeen years of faithful service with the Kroger Company[ in Vermilion, Mrs. Edith Graham local store manager resigned her position this week.
Mrs. Graham started her service. with. tfie company as a clerk in its Wooster store in 1941, coming to the local store a few months later. When World War II came along the manager' of Vermilion Kroger Store, James Wells, answered the call to service; and Mrs. Graham took over the managership. Kroger’s at that time was located on West Liberty Street in the buildlng how occupied by Wagner's Gift Shop Under Mrsl. Graham's managershtp business increased in volume and the store outgrew its small quarters.
Eleven yeaI'is ago the company moved to its present location on East Liberty Street, where they opened up a beautiful new super market, known, throughout the area as one of the cleanest, best managed store in the district.
With the coming of the Ford Motor Plant, and the resulting increase in population, the volume of business has increased so much, that for some time Mrs.' Graham has felt. that the store needed a man manager. So, after much' consideration she tendered her resignation which took effect this week.She will remain in the store for a few weeks as cashier to acquaint the new manager wlth the community' before taking a well deserved rest.
James Barnes, the new manager, resides in Elyria. He has been with the Kroger Company for ten years, and has been asstistan:t manager of the new Kroger Store at Shoreway Shopping center. He is married and has two children. He hopes to move his fa:mily to Vermalton in the near future.
TO MY FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS
I have resigned my position as Manager of the Vermilion Kroger store.
My business has grown to the extent that I feel it snould no long be the responsibility of a woman manager.
The Kroger Company has every desire to keep pace with the rapid growth of our Community, I firmly believe that a man manager would help to further those future plans to the ultimate benefit of the Vermilion people and those of the surrounding area.
It has been indeed a pleasure to have served our Community, as Manager of the Kroger store for so many years.
I shall remain on for awhlle as a cashier, and will be glad to make our many customers acquainted with the new manager.
I know that he will feel asI do about Vermilion, A Friendly Town. with a lot of Nice People. EDITH GRAHAM Manager Kroger Store
from The Vermilion News
Edith was a native of Fredricksburg, Ohio. Her father, C. Wesley Gordon, was a farmer. Her husband, Jim, was a Vermilion native. He worked at Wakefield Brass and the shipyards in Lorain. The couple was very well known and liked in the community. Some long-time residents may also remember Jim's sister Pauline who was married to Bill Eisenhauer. Bill and Pauline (from my remembrances of them) were once (for all intents and purposes) the Vermilion Water Department.
Small world - ain't it?
PAINTING THE TOWN: As previously mentioned this is a preview piece for a new webpage that I am currently developing. Using a new software program in conjunction with Adobe's Photoshop CS4 & 5 I am able to take some already wonderful pix of Vermilion, O. and make them (at least in my view) more "wonderfuller"
THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE
I couldn't resist using one more pic of Vermilion's State Street School (a.k.a. "The Old School House") for this section of "VV". This portrait makes it look a bit more ominous than it appears to the naked eye. But perhaps that's deserved.
The intentions (I believe) of the group now in possession of the property were good. The building was going to be preserved and used. Architecturally it's a beautiful old building. But it's highly unlikely that it'll be preserved. Methinks it's really a matter of funding; the cost of preservation is significant.
Ergo; this pic. In a throw-away society where folks are inclined to think that new is better good things - substantial things - disappear...
July 03, 2010 7:53 AM
Beautiful.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW THING: This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell.
So stay tuned...
from The Vermilion News Thursday, August 1, 1901.
---------------------------
The Times Herald of Lorraine says that the steel company has made a settlement of a claim for the death of C. E. Mingus, who was killed in the yards at that place a couple weeks ago by the overturning of an engine. The amount paid was $1150. Seems to us that this is a small amount for a life.
Nabbed. Monday Marshall Stevens was notified to look out for a couple of young fellows with a rig. When they drove in sight he took them in. They proved to be too young bloods from Lorain who had hired a delivery rig for an hour and filled up. The young men drove to Brownhelm, Amherst and several other bergs finally landing here. The owner when the hour was up started out to find his rig, he found the direction they had taken and promptly notified the Marshal. It is claimed that the men offered the outfit for sale in several places. They were taken to Lorain and upon trial were fined the costs and livery hire which amounted to a considerable sum.
Vermillion is again without a laundry. S. V. Perrin who has run a laundry here for some time past has quit the business and will move to Connie where he will reside. We understand that the laundry machinery is for sale and will not be moved at present. We are sorry that Mr. Perrin does not see fit to continue the business here. One reason for his move is the poor help of his father.
If a person who borrowed the umbrella which stood against the water tank at Lynnwood Park the other day will return to the news office, they will confer a great favor, save further trouble.
Gas has been struck at Brownhelm. Mr. Chas. Curtis and several others have been boring for natural gas lately. Well owned by the above as proof of gusher. It is 120 feet deep.
from the Vermillion News Thursday, August 8, 1901.
Daylight robbery. After Mrs. A. C. Pretzer had returned from a trip downtown yesterday afternoon she concluded to call on a neighbor, so she locked the front door of her residence and went out the rear entrance leaving the door unlocked. While on the street she noticed two rather disreputable looking individuals. Upon returning from her call she found that someone had entered the house and helped themselves to the contents of her pocketbook. Nothing else was disturbed. She is of the opinion that the persons she passed were the unwelcome visitors Later in the evening five suspects were arrested. This morning they were brought before the mayor, two of them being charged with housebreaking. They plead [sic] not guilty. Witnesses positively identified one of the men, the other they were not so sure of. Both were bound up over under $300 bonds as no bonds were forthcoming they were sent to jail. The other three were discharged. Later one of the prisoners proved his innocence and it was found that one of the others was the guilty party. The other prisoner, who claims Mason is his name will be taken to Sandusky to wait trial. Hardly had this affair been settled before the Marshall was call to arrest a man, who for several days has been collecting money for a “friend”. Cashier Coen of the bank and several others had already given chase. The man was followed through vineyard and cornfield until Dr. Derr, who was out hunting hove in sight. The pursuers call to him to stop the man. He brought his gun to bear on the individual and the chase ended right there. Mayor's court in this case this afternoon. Dr. Derr says this is the largest game he ever bagged.
Council. Monday evening being the first Monday of the month was regular council meeting night. Members present and debris, meeting, Fisher, Meeker and Minium, Mayor and clerk. Absent sea. Young. After the usual brief reading of minutes of the last meeting and committee reports much discussed sidewalk and drain question came up. It was stated that a number of citizens were using 1 inch plank for their new sidewalks, when the specifications distinctly stated that thicker planks should be used. It was thought the time had come to call a halt and have sidewalks properly built. It was reported that work order done very as portions of the town was progressing nicely. The much discussed ditch or drain on Perry Street south of the track was what brought to a focus in the commissioner instructed to lay tile to connect with the railroad train. A bad place in the sidewalk near Capt. William Jones was ordered filled sore new sidewalk could be laid. An ordinance was presented during upon the question of keeping the saloons opened later during the summer months, but as it was found effective was laid aside no action taken. A discussion arose concerning an open well in the center of exchange Street north of the lake short track. It was decided that if those who have been using it would fix it up for the next Council meeting, well and good, but otherwise it would be filled up. Mr. Cheshire on behalf of the fire department, invited the mayor and consul to the convention and to take part in the parade and the other exercises of the day. The invitation was accepted with thanks. Provision was made to furnish burls of ice water for the convention which is to be held August 21 The question was brought up in regard to the watchman at the gates on the Lakeshore Road. Compalint had been made that Decatur Street crossing had only a day watchman, and that the other men should be at their post of duty at an earlier hour. It was found by reference to records that the same resolution applied to all the gates and the requirements were not know complied with. After the usual claim ordinances had that been passed and other questions discussed the council adjourned.
Hmmmmmm....
OLYMPIC CLUB FAMILY: Every 4th of July my wife Geo and I spend some time at Vermilion's Olympic Outing Club where the club has a children's parade, games, and a picnic while their parents pleasantly schmooze and drink beer.
This photographic of near a hundred years back is (in my mind's eye) a wonderful expression of what the club - and the 4th of July - are about: family and the American way of life.
Starting of the 4th of each year it's the "official" vacation time for club members and their families. Though today it's become less "official" because many of the families (of at least some wives and children) can now spend most of the summer at the resort - originally that wasn't the case.
In the early years of the club it was strictly (heaven forbid) a Men's Club. Women and children were (supposedly) only allowed on the grounds for 2 weeks starting on the 4th July each year. As a matter of fact, it was not until relatively recently that women were allowed membership.
In any case, that's the spirit of this beautiful pic of the club's Kine Family. And time marches on...
A RARE GLIMPSE: Thanks to to the sharp eye and computer expertise of inter-urban historian Dennis Lamont we are allowed this brief - and rare - glimpse into one of the "nooks & crannies" of old Vermilion that might well have been lost forever.
Some months ago I received several communiques from persons asking me about the "Hardy Inn" that once operated in Vermilion. I, very honestly, had never heard of it before. However; I did pursue the name and found that Mr and Mrs. Hardy did, indeed, have a small restaurant in Vermilion during the late 1930's. But I didn't have anything more on it. Until - that is - last week when Dennis sent me this pic.
Taken in 1937 the eatery was located just east of the old Lake Shore Electric Depot (on the southeast corner of Liberty and Exchange streets). I knew it as the Riverside Inn.
From what I could tell from what little data I've been able to find, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were in town for less than a decade. So it's "near miraculous" that any visible sign of their presence here was discovered.
Cool beans!
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: The idea for this piece began as an idea for a coffee-table book of historical photographs of Vermilion, Ohio and, hopefully, it will (someday) be realized.
Originally the concept - as previously stated - was just a picture book. But after mentioning such a project in an issue of my weekly web page - Vermilion Views - a reader by the name of Scott Dommin suggested that it might be interesting if it featured photographs of how people, places, and / or things in the City of Vermilion, Ohio appear today along with photos showing how they appeared in the past. Ergo; the title "Now & Then".
"What a great idea." I told both myself and Scott.
[NOTE: This is going to take take some time.]
KEY BANK AND CRYSTAL BEACH DANCE HALL
Today Vermilion's Key Bank - a vestige of the old Erie County Bank - occupies the site where once the best bands in the United States entertained the public - and young lovers danced to their music.
"On Friday, May 29, 1925 Mr. Blanchat arranged to have two of the finest orchestras in the country play host at the grand opening of one of the most beautiful dance halls to ever grace the banks of the Great Lakes. It was formally known as Crystal Gardens.
Bedecked in tones of blushing pink and apple green the new hall was capable of comfortably accommodating two thousand (that's right folks - two thousand) dancers on its hardwood floor. A broad promenade that afforded enough room for nearly the same number of people embraced the dance area. Also included were a new refreshment stand, check room, and spacious lavatories. Throughout the following decades it was not unusual for folks in the area to dance to the music of Sammy Kaye, Count Basie, Les Brown, Coon-Sanders, Louis Prima, Lawrence Welk, Duke Ellington, Xavier Cugat, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Guy Lumbardo, and many others at the Crystal Gardens in Vermilion, Ohio..." [excerpt from my webpage The History of Crystal Beach]
July 03, 2010 6:45 AM.
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the south and west of Vermilion in the Berlin / Berlin Heights area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
BERLIN - PART 6. by Hudson Tuttle
...means, but by industry and economy amassed considerable wealth, and had the satisfaction of seeing all his family more than usually prosperous. His first wife died, and he married the widow of the late Samuel Lewis with whom he lived till his death. He, for many years, was justice of the peace, and was an upright, honorable and patriotic citizen. Reuben Brooks came with Mr. Peak from New York, and for a time both held the same lot of land. He afterwards purchased lot seventeen where he resided until his death, about 18G0. Only one son, Absalom, is now a resident of the town. Hezekiah Smith was born in Waterford, Connecticut, in 1776, and married Rebecca Miner, of that place. Their son, Paul G., came to Berlin, and settled on lot eleven, range two, in 1817, and the next year Mr. Smith with his family came and settled on lot ten. range one. He built a frame house which was one of the first. He resided on this farm until his death in 1829, at the age of sixty-three, and his wife died in 18.34:, aged sixty-three. They had eleven children: Paul G., Turner M., Nancy, Rebecca, Maria, Nehemiah, Patty (Mrs. Benjamin Smith), Hezekiah, Theodore, Henry and Emeline. Turner M. purchased lot ten, range two, where he resided until his death. Before removing from Connecticut, he married Anne Whiteman. They had three children: Gurdon, and Lucas, now residing in Minnesota, and Horace who is a progressive farmer, still holds the homestead, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and where he says he shall remain until he dies. He has made a speciality of Herefords, and has a splendid herd. Daniel Reynolds came from New York in 1817, and settled first on lot nine, range eleven, and then on lot twelve, range eight, where he remained until the death of his wife, Phoebe Thorn, in 1846, at the age of sixty-one years. He had four children: Isaac T., Rachel (Mrs. Hiram Judson), Jane, and Polly (Joseph Tucker). He died in Milan in 187i3, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. David Walker came from Connecticut in 1817, and located on section five, range two. They were industrious, as they were obliged to be to support their family of eleven children. As he was located on one of the main thoroughfares he opened a hotel, and soon after became postmaster. Norman Walker, his brother, came two years later and bought a farm near David's, but it seems he could not withstand the climate and died. His daughter married Elsworth Burnham, and her mother resided, until her death, with them. Joshua Phillips came from Lima. New York, in 1817 with his wife (Rebecca Smith), whom he married in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He was an elder in the Baptist church, and added preaching" to his clearing away the wilderness, farming, and working at masonry. He purchased lots ten and eleven, range six, and opened the first quarry. They had seven children: Zalumna, Zebah, .Joshua, Rebecca (Mrs. J. S. Lowry), Xenophon, Solomon, and Eliza (Mrs. T. C. Chapman). Zalumna was thoroughly identified with the business interests of an early day, having a store at the heights, and for a time held the office of judge and sheriff, and was once sent to the legislature. This store was built on the site now occupied by the town hall. It was then a dense forest, and Mr. Phillips paid Prentice K. Loomis seventy-five cents to cut down the trees where he intended to build. J. S. Lowry was the builder, and for many years was regarded as highest authority in architecture. Xenophon, for many years, practiced medicine with marked success, and acquired quite a wide fame for his treatment of climatic diseases. In after years, throwing up the practice, he became a voracious reader and enthusiastic disciple of Parker and Emerson. "It is to his industry that we owe many of the personal facts of this portion of the history of our township. The story of the trials of the Phillips family illustrate the hardships endured by all early settlers. They moved from the log house on the Chapelle creek where they stopped a short time, to the house Mr. Phillips was preparing. It was not yet finished. It was ten by twelve feet square, made of chestnut logs, split in two through the middle, and notched together at the corners. The floor was made of split logs, and at one end a wide space was left to build a fire. On one side a doorway was cut through, but windows there were none, and at that time none were needed, for the roof had not jet been laid on. The first day of January, 1818, a warm sunny day like May, the family moved into the new house. The tall tree tops of the interminable wilderness closed over its roofless walls, and in the interstices the stars shone down on their slumbers. Before morning a storm came up, a cold sleety rain, and the weary father broke his wagon box in pieces to make a temporary roof in one corner under which his household huddled together till the storm had passed. Mr. Phillips brought three horses and a cow with him, but two of the horses soon died, not being able to bear the exposure and coarse food; all they had was a coarse grass which grew on the wettish lands in branches, and this kept green all winter, and the snow rarely ever was deep enough to prevent grazing. Sometimes elm and basswood were cut down to allow the cattle to feed on the tender branches. Alter the death. of the horses, the one left and the cow mated, and it seemed that they were so lonesome in the wilds that their affection for each other was affecting to behold. One day when Mr. Phillips was on the prairie working at masonry to earn the wheat to feed his family, the mother sent Zalumna and Zebah for game. They were gone until late in the afternoon, returning without the least success. The former says he never can forget the disappointment of his dear mother, for they had nothing but potatoes, and she baked some for their supper and they ate them with salt. In 1817, Noah Hill came and purchased lot seven...continued...
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
"But the best thing of all was knowing that...Vermilion had its very own pop factory."
THE DAY THEY BURNED DOWN THE POP FACTORY: Late last week I was afforded the rare opportunity and pleasure to introduce 2 young brothers (4 and 5.75 years old) to Hostess Twinkies. There are zero words which describe the look on their faces as they bit into the “store bought” pastries for their very first time. And ignoring for the moment that the eclair-like delicacies are - to be politically correct - not considered to be good for man nor beast; the youngsters most certainly enjoyed them. This experience took me back 50 years (or so) when I was 10 years old - a time when the Village of Vermilion, Ohio was my playground. It took me back to the amazing glass candy display case, besmudged by dozens of tiny noses, in Baumhart’s Drug Store on Division Street; to the 5 cent cherry cokes that could be had at Jim Hart’s wonderful Corner Drugstore; to icy mugs of root beer fresh from the barrel that stood at the end of the soda counter in Litman’s Newstand next door; and to colder than cold bottles of pop that could be had for only one thin dime from the chest-type coolers commonly found at numerous gas stations and garages scattered about town. How wonderful those times were. But the best thing of all was knowing that just down the street behind St. Mary’s Church - in the middle of the lane called Columbus Street that runs between Division/Main Street to the west and Sandusky Street to the east - Vermilion had its very own pop factory. What more could anyone (let alone a young boy or girl) ask for? The Hi-Top Beverage Company / Vermilion Bottling Company was established sometime in 1910. Precisely who established the company is presently unknown (to me). What is known is that sometime during the 1950’s a local entrepreneur, Larry Shafts, purchased the plant from the Feldcamp Family. And whilst there be a great deal of merit in the ownership and operation of any small business there are also numerous legal and financial requirements and demands that must be met in order to be successful. In America during the 50’s corporate soft drink companies had a great deal of capital at their command; a fact that, consequently, made competing for the market impossible for the small bottling companies. And, thus, did Vermilion’s pop factory fall victim to those changing times. Were that story not gloomy enough (for any youngster) in the summer of 1954 Mr. Shafts volunteered the property to be used by the North Central (Ohio) Fireman’s Association in an exercise as “an up to date fire test on indirect application of water on interior fires”. And on a bright Sunday afternoon, August 1, 1954, a crowd of over 1500 persons watched as the Vermilion Fire Department, under the direction of then State Fire Marshal, Charles R. Scott, staged the practice session - and burned Vermilion’s pop factory to the ground. Three of Mr. Shaft’s nephews and a niece (Pictured R-L: David, Dale, and Larry Hohler and Cindy Shafts) posed for their picture outside the plant that just a few minutes later (also pictured) was in the process of being consigned to a yesteryear. It was an experience, like the first time a youngster tastes a “Twinkie”, that would never be completely recalled; nor entirely forgotten -that day they burned down the pop factory.
Ref: The Vermilion News, 8-12-1954; The Lorain Journal, 7-29-1954; Special Thanks to: Larry and Dale Hohler; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 1/31/08; Written1/27/08 @ 2:09 PM.
20 THINGS TO DO IN A DRIVE THRU LANE
1. Stand close to the speaker and yell your order, using colorful expletives in ways which would embarrass the patrons inside. 2. Drive through backwards. 3. Belch your order. 4. After ordering, cover the speaker and mic with transparent tape. Watch as customers and order-takers are unable to hear each other and, thus, each raises his/her volume. 5. Barter. Offer a Whopper for a Big Mac. 6. Walk through. 7. Speak a foreign language (make one up if you have to). When the manager comes to the mic, speak English and inquire as to why the order taker had such difficulty understanding you. 8. Repeat everything the order-taker says. 9. Attempt to take the order-takers order ("Hi, may I take your order?") before they get a chance to take yours. 10. Order confusing items, i.e., "Hi, I'll have a large orange Coke and a small medium fries, please." 11. In a crowded drive-thru line, place a HUGE order, then slip out of line and watch the fun as the person behind you is handed 40 bags of food. 12. When you arrive at the window to pick up your food, hand them several bags of garbage & ask if they'll dispose of it for you. Make sure it smells. 13. Drive through with a carload of naked people. 14. Speak in such a garbled fashion that the order-taker will think there is a problem with the speaker and ask you to order at the window. When you arrive at the window, speak in the same garbled, incomprehensible fashion. 15. Drive through with someone on the hood to accept the food. 16. Bring along a Mr. Microphone. When the order-taker speaks, aim the mic at their speaker but do so while aiming the Mr. Microphone speaker at the mic to produce excruciating feedback of their own voice. 17. One word: Flatulence! 18. Have a friend hide in the trunk. When you approach the window to pickup your order, have him start yelling and banging his fists on the trunk. 19. If you are a male, have a female friend place the order by speaking VERY seductively and suggestively into the speaker. When she finishes, have her hide and pull up to accept your order. See how many of the order-takers fellow employees have been called over to the window to "check out the babe". 20. Change a flat tire in the drive-thru lane
PODCASE #187:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #187 is a brief introduction to a podcast series along with a "briefer" test of a new camera in our backyard. Have a safe holiday.
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.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format. If you don't have "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
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 suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.8, Issue 16, July 3, 2010
© 2010 Rich Tarrant