Monday, November 24, 2014

The Historic Markers of Lake County

There are currently over 1516 historic markers in the state of Ohio.  These markers exist to provide tangible records of Ohio's importance in early American and Western Reserve history.  Lake County is Ohio's smallest county yet has perhaps the most history to offer.  To date 28 markers dot our county's landscape.  Today we offer our readers just an appetizer of the history that is unique to some of our hometown communities.  Here is a sampling of ten markers and the year each achieved its moment of official recognition.  See if you can identify the one incorrect statement for each marker.

Historic Marker #1-43  Indian Point Fort
a.  It is the first recognized marker in our county (1964)
b. The fort is located in what is now Eastlake near the Chagrin River.
c.  Only a low wall remains.
d.  The fort's history can be traced back to the Erie Indians and 1650.

Historic Marker #24-43  Harry Coulby- 2003
a.  He was known as Czar of the Great Lakes
b.  He was born in Wickliffe and lived there most of his life.
c.  He was Wickliffe's first mayor (1916).
d.  His estate was known as Couallenby.

Historic Marker #23-43  Cora Gaines Carrel
a.  Her marker was dedicated in 2003.
b.  She was educated in Painesville in the 1890's.
c.  She was the first female councilperson in the State of Ohio and served in the '20s.
d.  She was part of the suffrage movement.

Historic Marker #15-43  Daniel Beard
a.  Daniel Beard was a noted illustrator, artist and author.
b.  Beard was born in Canada and moved to the US in the 1800's.
c.  Beard designed the BSA emblem.
d.  His marker was dedicated in 2003.

Historic Marker #25-43  Uri Seeley House
a.  Dedication services were held in 2006
b.  Seeley served in the Revolutionary War.
c.  Seeley was one of the county's earliest settlers.
d.  Uri was anti-slavery and a member of the UGRR.

Historic Marker #16-43  Henry Kelsey Devereau -2002
a.  His home was located on the current Telshe Yeshiva property in Wickliffe.
b.  He was Wickliffe's first settler.
c.  His image was used for the drum player in The Spirit of '76 painting.
d.  Archibald Willard selected Devereau for his iconic Revolutionary War painting.

Historic Marker #22-43  Rabbit Run Theater -2003
a.  The Klump Family converted an old barn into the theater.
b.  The theater began in 1946 and closed in 1967.  It reopened in 1979 and closed for good in 2010.
c.  It is one of the last barn theaters in the country.
d.  Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Tandy and Jim Backus are a few performers who did summer stock in Madison's famous theater.

Historic Marker #8-43  Willoughby University / Lake Erie Medical College
a.  The college began in 1834 and closed 13 years later.
b.  The medical campus marker is the county's second oldest dating back to 1999.
c.  Both the OSU and CWRU medical campuses have roots tracing back to this institution.
d. Grave robbing was alleged during the medical college's history.

Historic Marker #7-43  Hugh Moser
a.  The marker was dedicated in 1999 in Perry, Ohio.
b.  Mosher was a WWI veteran.
c.  Mosher served in the Civil War and was Ohio's finest fifer.
d.  Mosher's image was used as the fifer in the Spirit of '76 painting by Willard.

Historic Marker #26-43  Pleasant Valley Road Bridge
a.  The bridge was constructed in 1881 and is one of ten Whipple Tuss style bridges remaining today.
b.  The bridge located in Willoughby Hills is no longer in use.
c.  The bridge was part of the GAR Highway until 1952.
d.  The bridge received its official historic designation in 2006.

Historic Marker #18-43  Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Station - 2002
a.  The station is part of rail fanning events.
b.  The NY Central line station is still active today for commercial use.
c.  President-elect A. Lincoln visited this Painesville station.
d.  The station was opened in 1851 and closed in 1971.

answer-  As my former students well remember, the one incorrect answer for each was 'b'

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