Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: The photo on the shop desk this week is the Crystal Beach – or perhaps better described as the beach at Crystal Beach. It doesn’t look like much, but it had its day. The Edna D. used to offer rides between the park and the river. Currently the only thing left are the cliffs overlooking Lake Erie. Where the people are standing now stand apartment buildings.
Once upon a time (it may be hard to believe) Josephine Blanchat – George Blanchat’s wife – took up a handful of sand from the beach taking notice of its crystal-like qualities as it ran through her fingers and...on May 30, 1907 their Crystal Beach Amusement Park opened for business.
On my home desk is a rare wide-angle pic taken by my grandfather (Pearl Roscoe) from the south side of Lake Road just across from the park about the same year as the other.
The large building (right) opened to the public on Friday, May 29, 1925. That night Mr. Blanchat arranged to have two of the finest orchestras in the country play host at its grand opening. It was considered at the time to be one of the most beautiful dance halls to ever grace the banks of the Great Lakes. It was formally known as Crystal Gardens.
In November of 1962 all the buildings (with the exception of the dance hall), rides, and equipment belonging to the Crystal Park were sold at auction. The hall was demolished in 1965, later replaced by the Key Bank building.
USING FACEBOOK: I’ve never had much used for the social media. I thought it to be a good place to promote the Vermilion History Museum – and that’s still a valid thought for me. But, speaking for myself, I have never quite grasped the point of using it to broadcast personal information.
That being said, I have lately found it to be a wonderful testing ground for photo related apps. It began when I started using a 360° camera. I needed to see how – or if – they would work and look online, and I didn’t want to use them in one of my permanent sites because I really had no intention of keeping them (or at least many of them). I just wanted to see how they would appear. Facebook allows me such opportunities.
I can manipulate photographs on computers, but that really doesn’t show me how they will appear when, or if, they’re on the internet. My goal is to produce “virtual tours” for the museum and other interesting places in town.
I’m still working on the museum tour. Learning the nuances of the app I used to put such a tour together. I can add still shots, audio and video to tours. But all of that requires practice, not to mention additional / new materials.
It’s not complicated. I’m just a slow learner stumbling through all this stuff. And the Facebook app helps me find my way.
COVID-19 & THE MUSEUM: The Vermilion History Museum has been closed to the public since the virus began raging in March. No one had to tell us to close. It was obvious. [NOTE: This also explains my interest in “virtual tours”. But I also wanted them available to accommodate handicapped persons.]
Anyway, the State of Ohio has now officially sanctioned the opening of museums in the state (June 10th) with some guidelines. A list of them is available online and elsewhere. But just as we acted of our own accord to temporarily close, we will do the same when it comes to opening our doors – and will not open completely until July 1st. In the meantime, we will be open to very small groups / couples who make appointments.
This cautionary procedure is taken mainly because of the crowds that gathered everywhere to protest the untimely death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. We are reluctant to open completely until the results of that crowding is apparent. Speaking as museum curator I believe that Dr. Stephen Fauci (American physician and immunologist who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984) is correct in thinking that the virus is not done with us. Hopefully, we’ll be proven wrong and nothing will happen except that which many persons (myself included) are wishing to happen.
In the meantime, we’ll clean and improve the museum exhibits. So, stay close. (That is, of course, a figurative statement.)
Historically,
DO YOU WANT FRIES WITH THAT: One of the very special things about Vermilion's McGarvey Restaurant (and there were several) was the expertise of his service staff. They were trained to make people who dined there comfortable. It was something in which the owner, Eddie Solomon, took pride. He was so successful that he wrote a book about it. A friend, Wayne Weisman (Valley Harbor Marina) donated this copy to the museum along with several menus.
ALMOST NEW: This week I added a slide presentation about the site that eventually became the aforementioned McGarvey Restaurant..
It is an informative piece.
All that said, have a look. This is a site that one can use for reference materials.
THE OKAGIS – RE-REITERATED: Several months ago, the subject of a Vermilion Area Archival Society meeting was “Places We Dined”. It was an extension of sorts to the calendar the society had recently published on the same subject. The great thing about the meeting was that it allowed various people to reminisce – fill in the proverbial blanks – about Vermilion eateries of the yesteryear. It was a very productive forum. However, I noted that some newly minted Vermilionites had questions about the Okagi Restaurant and its proprietors that I thought had long ago been answered. I have written about the Okagis at what I thought to be “ad nauseum”. But apparently some folks didn’t get those issues of the VPJ. So please forgive what appears to be my arrogance and let me re-reiterate their story.
Some time back a friend, Donna Green, who lives in Huron, gave me two books (printed in 1926) about the History of Erie County, Ohio. While I have seen parts of these books (online) before it was the first time, I’d been able to read them without sitting at a computer.
This information is relevant for several reasons. One is that it seemed unusual that Okagi being a foreign national was such an active member of the F.& A.M. – Masons in a little town like Vermilion. I understand his reason for joining the fraternity. What I find unusual is the fact that he was so easily accepted by it. Placed in context with the times (1930s and 40s) it speaks loudly and positively of both his character and that of the people of Vermilion.
Another thing about Okagi is that when most Japanese were being sent to camps during the Second World War Okagi was not among them. He was not an American citizen - and still he got through WW2 without someone suggesting he was a Japanese spy. I guess the F.B.I. did take a look at him - but they left him alone. Everyone who knew him seemed to like him.
In comparison well-known Sandusky photographer Ernst Neibergall, who took many photos of Mitiwanga, Ruggles Beach, and other lake resorts was a German national. During both world wars he was questioned by the FBI and his cameras were confiscated. Those taken during WW2 were never returned. Evidently, Mr. Okagi must have been more than “liked”, he must have been well respected as well. Nonetheless the disparity of attitudes of the authorities concerning these men is puzzling.
What follows is for the many people who might have missed what I wrote about the couple previously. It is both curious and interesting information.
MAMORU OKAGI: Was born February 21, 1881 at Idsushi Tajima, Japan. His parents were Udsu Okagi and Ito Kitamura Okagi. Like many of the Japanese, he was very fond of athletics of all types. He was educated in both Japan and America. His family record in Japan went back for fifteen generations. They had all been Samurai.
On August 8, 1912 at Elyria, Ohio, he married a French woman, a nurse, named Marie C. Gray. A news article in an Elyria paper about their pending marriage at the time made me cringe when I saw it. It read, “Jap and A Pretty Nurse Will Marry” noting that it was the first marriage license ever issued to “a Japanese” in Lorain County.
The first business he ever engaged in, in the area, was the restaurant business. And in the autumn of 1913 Mamoru Okagi and his wife Marie had purchased both a restaurant and a home in Vermilion. The restaurant known as the Okagi Restaurant (originally the Vermilion Restaurant) was a very successful enterprise.
Okagi, as already mentioned, was a member of the Ely Lodge No. 424 F. & A. M. Vermilion, Ohio; Wakeman Chapter No. 177, Wakeman, Ohio; Norwalk Council No. 24, R. & S. M. Norwalk, Ohio; Lorain Commander No. 65, Knights Templar, Lorain, Ohio; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Cleveland. Ohio; Singara Grotto, Sandusky, Ohio and Zenobia Temple Shrine A. A. 0. N. M. S., Toledo, Ohio. He was also a member of the Vermilion Boat Club, Rotary and the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce. He was, to say the very least, a very active member of the community.
MARIE C. GRAY OKAGI: was born July 1, 1889 at Montaigu-Vendee, France. Her parents were Constant Louis Gray and Elisa Jenne Coicault Gray. She began her education in Montaigu-Vendee and then went to Nantes to attend a girls finishing school After her schooling in France, she went to England for five years coming to America in May of 1911. She worked as a nurse in an Elyria hospital until her marriage to Okagi.
Like that of her husband her ancestry is also worthy of some note. She could trace her French ancestry back to the Revolution of 1793, when the family archives were burned during the French Revolution. Hers, fortunately or unfortunately, was a family of very strong Royalists.
She was a member of Madeline Chapter No. 204 0. E. S., Vermilion, Ohio. The “Order of the Eastern Star” for those unfamiliar with it, is a Masonic appendant body open to both men and women.
In 1942 Mrs. Okagi, upon discovering that she was terminally ill, took her own life. Some years thereafter Mr. Okagi sold the business to his adopted daughter's husband, Russ Vasbinder, and his brother-in-law, Cecil Thomas. Mr. Okagi did not return to Japan but lived out the remainder of his years on the West Coast. He died on December 23, 1956 in Los Angeles.
Today no corporeal vestiges of the restaurant that had earned a national reputation remain. It is now dissolved into a storefront shared over the years by several different businesses. But ask around. There is still a person or two who can remember the wonderful Okagi Restaurant. Who could forget?
- Ref: The Vermilion News; 4/14/33; Ancestry.com; Ohio Deaths 1908-1944 Record; California Death Index 1940-1997 Record; Vermilion Area Archival Society; Text amended 12/18/10, 8/04/11 and 06/07/20; VPJ 09/08/2011.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips are dictated transcriptions from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
The Village council met in session Monday evening President David Miller in the chair.
The sidewalk ordinance was the most important matter and was passed. It provides for the construction of sidewalks with stonework or cement. An ordinance providing for the construction of sidewalks in the business portion of town was also passed. This matter this makes it necessary to construct sidewalks to the curb line in front of the business places on Exchange and Liberty Street. A number of sidewalks have already been so constructed, but without authority.
The clerk read a letter from Mr. Chapin getting a price of $2.00 to complete the plans and specifications for a sanitary sewer. As a number of the citizens are requesting the Council to take some action on this question. It was decided to accept Mr. Chapin’s terms and let the people of the town decide by ballot as to whether they want sewers or not. Mr. Chapin will give all the particulars of the cost, etc., and the voter will know just about what the cost will be.
After a careful inspection of the fire building Council finally decided to allow the firemen $475 toward the improvement. This being under the $500 mark, will necessitate no special action. This will give the Council a place to store tools, etc., something badly needed.
As the present council desires to pay off some of the notes outstanding, some of the desired improvements will have to be delayed.
The clerk was reported a communication from Mr. Cook of the Lake Shore Ry., stating that he would not be able to meet with them Monday night but would meet by appointment. It was decided to meet him Thursday afternoon.
F. Schomer made a proposition to the Council that if they would place the dirt for raising the walk across the depression west of his place, he would remove the walk and relay it free of charge as he wanted to raise his walk to improve his property. This proposition was accepted.
J. J. Cuddeback was present and made the Council proposition for two 2000 or 1000 more loads of dirt, payment could be deferred a year without interest. The matter was taken under advisement. Council adjourned.
The laying of the cornerstone for the new Methodist Episcopal Church at Florence will take place next Sunday, June 16 at 2:30 P. M. Dr. W. A. Wright will make the address. Others will participate in the services. The Methodites have had a society in Florence Township for nearly 100 years or at least since 1816. The old church that was struck by lightning last summer and burned to the ground had stood for 72 years. The new church will be 30 x 45 with a fine basement for social purposes. All are invited to these exercises next Sunday.
Oranges in China sell at less than 7c a hundred.
The term reverend was first applied to a clergymen in 1657.
In Japan schoolchildren are being taught to write with both hands.
Several wireless stations in the West Indies are operated by wind power.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Gegenheimer gave Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood and Miss Edna Robinson a ride in their new auto Wednesday evening.
Fred Bacon was out driving Saturday for the first time since his illness. He has improved greatly the past week, and all are in hopes of a speedy recovery.
Ruby Latterman is working at the Funk store.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Idane Pierce, a daughter, June 8, 1912.
Miss Martha McBride is still on the sick list.
P. H. Blossone has purchased a new auto.
Mr. John Portman is on the sick list.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Moser, son, Saturday, June 8, 1912.
Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Funk and children and Reita, Cleo and Harry Funk formed an auto load to New London Sunday.
[NOTE: It must have be a real funky trip.]
The Lake Shore Electric Ry. is placing a block signal near the front of Abell’s barbershop on Liberty street. This signal will show when a car is on the mainline at Lake switch, thus avoiding chance for accident similar to those occurring near that point during the past few years.
Michael O’Bain and Gus Hamway of Cleveland came down with a picnic Sunday appeared before acting Mayor Miller, Monday, who were charged with being drunk and disorderly and were each given $5 and costs, having pled guilty.
O’Bain was given a severe lecture upon his actions. After several days in the jail they were allowed to depart after their friends had made a deposit with the Cleveland officers.
Three Cleveland youngsters were arrested Monday for disturbing residents near the Nickel Plate. After keeping them in jail for a few hours to think over there misdeeds they were released and left for home as fast as they could.
Mr. Harry Wakefield is ill at his home on South Street.
Mrs. McVeen of Cleveland was the guest of her sister Mrs. F. W. Wakefield and other relatives a few days this week.
Louis Noel and family had returned to Vermilion for the summer.
Capts. Moody and Hahn made their families a short visit this week.
Thos. Ball will attend the state encampment of the G. A. R. at Springfield this week as delegate for the H. G. Delta post.
Chas. F. Decker is attending the Coal Dealers’ Convention Pittsburgh Pa. this week.
Mrs. E. L. Coen who was removed to a Cleveland hospital for treatment last week is reported somewhat improved.
Mrs. H. S. Cuddeback expects to leave Tuesday to attend the state convention of W. R. C. at Springfield, O., as delegate from this corps.
Mrs. Kate Raver and little granddaughter Daisy Halloran are able to be up; Mrs. Halloran, too, is improving. The condition of Mrs. Heidloff remains apparently about the same; baby Heidloff was reported slightly worse yesterday. Donald Englebry is still is getting along nicely. All are ill with typhoid fever.
This Matilda Wagner is recovering at Charity Hospital as fast as can be expected.
Miss Alice Kane, although very weak, is recovering at St. Vincent’s and hopes of bringing her home in the near future are entertained by the family.
Mrs. Fred J. Englebry returned from Columbus Monday much improved health.
Attorney Geo. Ritter wife and friends of Sandusky made an automobile trip to this village Monday evening stopping a short while with F. S. Fowler family.
Mrs. Evelyn Shattuck was been ill for several months is still very sick.
The members of the class of ‘12 enjoyed themselves at a class picnic on the riverbank Friday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. John Miller called on Mr. John Portman of Henrietta Sunday, who has been ill for some time.
Society English Evangelical church Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Farrell and Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew took an auto ride to Cleveland Sunday Mr. Albert Reusser of Henrietta.
center>OGONTZ
Strawberries will soon be a thing of the past unless we have some rain soon.
A line from Lewis Nichols and wife say they are nicely located in Vermilion and like it very much.
BEFORE VALLEY VIEW:I thought that many readers might recognize some of the names. This was well before the Valley View area was developed. At the time some folks referred to the area as Plywood Plaza. The name was intended as a mockery of the quality of the the homes therein. They were prefab and did use some plywood in their construction. But they were nonetheless solid structures. Folks will note that currently a good deal of the same material is used in the building of homes.
…He was married in Sandusky to Maria Anne Biglin. A number of years ago he left his bench and settled in Put-in-Bay Island, where he is engaged in the grape culture. His children are living at the same place. Christiane Elizabeth was born March 8, 1812, and married in 1843 to John Christopher Klee, and came with her husband to Sandusky a year before the first cholera. She died in 1887. Her husband, and the only son, John, are living on Adams street. Maria, the oldest one, was born in 1808, and married in the old country to Andreas Duennisch. After her husband's death she made Sandusky her home. She died in 1886. Her two sons are well provided for; Louis is the manager of the Butlers' planing mill, and Christian, the oldest, has become a wealthy farmer in Margaretta township.
Daniel Reinheimer, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Reinheimer was born in Horschbach, Bavaria, in 1815, and joined his uncle Fred in Sandusky in 1840. Regine Emele became his wife in 1844. Eleven children were born to them. In 1854 the family moved west and settled on a farm near Sheboygan, Wis. Wilhelm R. was born in 1822, and made Sandusky his home in 1845, and was married two years later to Eva Catharine Benz. Nine children were born to them, all are now living, except one. Wilhelm now resides on Perry street. Jacob was born October 1, 1820, and was the last of the family to this country in company with the aged parents. The old day book of Peter Reinheimer is before me and I take liberty to copy from it (translated). 1848, May 18, we left Horschbach this day.
June 1, started on shipboard.
July 9, arrived at New York.
July 21, landed at Sandusky.
September 1, bought a lot for $330.
Build house same year for $486.40.
Summary $816.40.
Old Peter Reinheimer and his wife died years ago. The children are living, honest and industrious as they are, they never accumulated means of any account. The support of a large family absorbed the earnings of a year's hard work.
Adam Hemberle came here in 1838. The Hemberle family, consisting of the parents, Adam and his wife and five children, John, Frederick, Caroline, Christine and Marie, left their former home, Blankenloch, in Baden, in the spring of 1836, and settled on a farm in Crawford county, O., in the same year. Two years later they moved to Sandusky where they lived and died years ago. Of the five children only three are now living: Frederika, wife of John Fisher; Caroline, wife of Adam Bauer, and Marie, wife of Adam Zimmermacher. John and Christine, who was the wife of Casper Schneider are in a better world. Mr. Hemberle was a day laborer and much respected.
A PHONETIC REPORT CARD: Gayle Jeffery who currently lives in Wales (not NYC as previously said) sent me these pix. Many readers will probably remember her step-grandfather Larry Naegele who belongs to these report cards from 1915-16.
It appears that he was a pretty decent student for Mrs. Irey. But there is one minor problem. As Gayle pointed out to me Larry received a final grade in spelling of 97 (or 98 – it’s hard to see it). The problem is that for the entire year she misspelled Larry’s last name.
As the manager of his hospital's softball team, The young man was responsible for returning equipment to the proper owners at the end of the season.
When he walked into the surgery department carrying a bat that belonged to one of the surgeons, he passed several patients and their families in a waiting area.
"Look, honey," one man said to his wife. "There's your anesthesiologist."
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'".
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.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandma's Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from MARGARET SANDERS BUELL by Amy O'Neal, ELIZABETH THOMPSON and MEG WALTER (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON'S LATEST BOOK “Tripping: A Writer’s Journeys.” Signed copies of her new book can be purchased for $15.00 at the Southside Sentinel office or by mail by writing Rappahannock Press, Box 546, Urbanna, VA and adding $6.00 to cover mailing costs and tax. Contact:glongest@ssentinel.com.
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a 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
P.O. Box 437
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
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Vol. 18. Issue 15 - June 13, 2020
Archive Issue #900
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant