Remarkable Lake County --- Painesville - opoly

Founded in 1840, Ohio's smallest county is perhaps the State of Ohio's largest when one combs the annals of early American history.  From its early Native American days to the era of the Western Reserve, history abounds throughout our county.  Today we recall some interesting historic tid-bits about Painesville.  Let's test your knowledge below.

1.  Founded in 1822, this newspaper ran continuously thru 1986.  The current Bureau of Employment Services occupies the original site founded by this early Western Reserve pioneer who was involved in abolitionism and early Mormonism in our county.  Name him...

2.  This family run business began in 1877 and remains today as an enduring piece of Painesville business history.  Stop by anytime for any hardware need-can you name the family business?

3.  The Utopia Theater opened in 1914 and in many ways rivaled Cleveland's Playhouse Square when it came to attractions.  Name this local son whose career in vaudeville and theater is well documented.  Hint - his annual fireworks shows were legendary!

4.  The site on Railroad Street was active from 1893-1971.  In 1997 it was donated and now serves as a museum.  Rail Fanning Days are a popular event hosted at this site.  Name it...

5.  In 1992 historic marker 6-43 was added to this site near Liberty Street marking one of the oldest recreation places in our state.  It had beginnings in 1866 and witnessed an expansion in 1905 and a merger in 1922.  Name this famous organization currently located on Mentor Avenue.

6.  Drive down Wood Street or pass by Liberty or Washington Streets and you will be in a neighborhood featuring these stately homes.  What is the official designation of the district?

7.  Three generations have guided this famous Painesville Bakery since its early days in 1898.  Name the business...

8.  Historic marker 4-43 designates this Federal Style home adn masterpiece by Jonathon Goldsmith.  currently located on Lake Erie College property - name this historic family home...

9.  Although the original high school was torn down some years ago, it was named after a local resident whose accomplishments included writing the first grammar text in 1868, serving as an educator, principal, educational union leader and college trustee.  Name this famous gentleman...

10.  This institution is the oldest one of its kind from the days of the Western Reserve.  Founded in 1856, College Hall was begun in 1857 and the first students were enrolled in 1859.  Known as Lake Erie Seminary then, today it is known as...

answers- 1. Eber Howe  2.  Joughin Hardware  3. Robert 'Bobby' Manchester  4.  Painesville Depot  5.  YMCA  6.  Mentor Avenue Historic District  7.  Gartman Bakery  8.  Mathews House  9.  Thomas A. Harvey  10.  Lake Erie College

Remarkable Lake County -- Wickliffe-opoly

As one examines the history of Lake County the familiar communities of Painesville, Willoughby, Kirtland and Mentor garner the most notoriety historically speaking.  Well one small community on the western-most edge of Lake County is a hidden gem when one recalls important facts in American history -- that city is Wickliffe.  See how much you know about Wickliffe in this ten question trivia activity.  Good Luck!

1.  Historic Marker #24-43 pays tribute to this 19th c. English immigrant whose local career began with Pickand Mathers and in time saw him rise to Czar of the Great Lakes with his company Interlake Steamships.  Name this famous Wickliffe resident.

2. The Center for Pastoral Leadership (Borromeo) on Euclid Avenue use to be the grounds of this famous steel (later Republic Steel) magnate whose partner was James Corrigan.  Name him...

3.  He served as mayor of Wickliffe, built Cobblestone Garth and is best known for a nearby castle bearing his name.  Who is this Wickliffe millionaire?

4.  In 1817 these two pioneering families arrived and settled on land near Lloyd Road and Euclid Avenue.  Name either of these first settler families...

5.  Pine Ridge Golf Course occupies the land that once was the estate of this Wickliffe millionaire and steel magnate.  His one time wife was perhaps just as famous in her time.  Name the industrialist...

6.  This Orthodox settlement was originally located in Telz, Lithuania before Nazi occupation forced its move to Wickliffe.  Name the educational institution that now occupies a former Wickliffe estate.

7.  Wickliffe High School is situated on his former estate and his carriage house is currently the BOE building.  Name this famous industrialist who resided in Wickliffe.

8.  Marker #16-43 recalls the 'Spirit of '76' and this Wickliffe personality who lived on the 1910 estate now occupied by Telshe Yeshiva.  Name the young man whose likeness became the famous drummer boy forever etched into American History lore.

9.  She was an international socialite whose 1917 marriage to a Wickliffe industrialist was the start of an unforgettable career that included WWII espionage.  Name her...

10.  He was Wickliffe's first mayor and his estate Couallenby serves as City Hall today.  Name him...

answers-  1.  Harry Coulby  2.  Price McKinney  3.  Fergus Squire   4.  William Jones or Abner C. Tarbell   5.  James Corrigan  6.  Telshe Yeshiva   7.  Frank Rockefeller   8.  Henry Kelsey Devereau
9.  Laura Mae Corrigan  10.  Harry Coulby

Acolytes Welcome --- 'Free' Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Concert & ArtFest Returns this Sunday

Calling all acolytes.  Sunday August 17 is the day for you.  Do you enjoy an afternoon concert?  Do you enjoy perusing or purchasing lighthouse themed art?  Do you want to climb 69 steps and view Lake Erie from atop a lighthouse tower?  Do you enjoy museums that share maritime histories?  If your answer is 'yes' then a visit this Sunday to 129 Second Street in downtown Fairport Harbor between 1-6pm will allow you an opportunity to experience all these possibilities.

The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse and Marine Museum will be hosting its third annual free concert and art festival.  This major fundraiser for the Fairport Harbor Historical Society is the result of three random acts of kindness from local organizations.  First WRUW-FM 91.1 of Cleveland Ohio will be providing four free musical acts that day.  Second the amphitheater at the base of the lighthouse hill is made available for free by Lake Metroparks and its Outdoor Education Division.  Finally the Lake Humane Society will be on site to share in the event.  The FHHS will be sponsoring the art festival featuring lighthouse themed lithographs and watercolors from NE Ohio artist Bill Csatary.  Bill was a local educator from the Parma Schools as well as a reknown maritime artist whose gallery quality renderings have been featured throughout Ohio for many years.  Bill will be on hand to sign any purchase Sunday afternoon.  For the usual donation fee visitors may climb the Lighthouse Tower and visit the keepers dwelling museum from 1-6pm.

Free Music begins at 1pm...Art Festival Hours are 1-5pm (cash or check)...Lighthouse Museum hours are 1-6pm.  Music Acts are as follows-
1:00pm  Patty and the Guys, Polka Music
2:00pm  Lost State of Franklin, Americana
3:00pm  Take This Hammer, folk, country, country rock
4:00pm  The Hillbilly IDOL Trio, town & country
Bring your family, bring chairs and blankets, food available on site or bring a picnic lunch (no bottles or glass) and enjoy a Blossom-like afternoon of music and activities.

Need more information- visit wruw.org or www.fairportharborlighthouse.org

Concert and festival attendees are asked to donate to the Humane Society Pet Food Drive

National Lighthouse Day and Lake County's Dual Beacons

‘Honoring 225 Years While Continuity Remains Elusive’ is this week's focus.  August 7^th celebrates the 225^th birthday of the federalization of our nation’s lighthouses and the 225^th birthday of the United States Lighthouse Service.  This is quite an occasion.  Twenty-four years have passed and the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate still can not get together to agree on making this date a National Day in perpetuity.  It has been a one-time event and as such has left today’s world of lighthouse preservation in flux.  True lighthouse aficionados want not only to save lighthouse structures, but also to save the memories, the photographs, and the artifacts associated with them.  This is not some frivolous whim.  In Fairport an organization began in 1945.  These men and women planned, developed, created, and served in various capacities in a society designed to honor the people and history who came before us. They have done so as volunteers and have for the most part kept Fairport’s 1825 lighthouse intact without federal, state or village monies for most of its post 1925 history.  Although federal grant money is available, it is occasionally, but rarely made available to nonprofits.  Groups like the Cleveland Foundation offer opportunities but lighthouses are a niche special interest group.  County commissioners have reduced monies available in any given year to nearly zero dollars.  The Village of Fairport Harbor has committed little if any resources to its historic icon for decades.  Basically there is no standard of continuity when it comes to helping preserve lighthouse structures.  A National Lighthouse Day is just one small and token gesture to honor the many volunteers who have saved lighthouses from government neglect or possible destruction.  It is also a day to honor those who saved artifacts, those who work to preserve what others have started and the museums that are preserving them.

Lighthouses and their museums are under attack on all fronts.  Special interest groups want more without giving back.  Expenses rise while dedicated revenue streams dry up.  Volunteers continue to serve without relief in sight.  August 7^th is a day to celebrate all that is good at our lighthouse.  I thank our volunteers who make the commitment each week, month or year to serve.  I urge our readers to write your local legislator and urge him/her to make August 7^th a ‘National Lighthouse Day’ in perpetuity by 2015.

Visit - www.fairportharborlighthouse.org