Oberlin College's Tank Hall

When I saw this vintage postcard of a huge, magnificent home in Oberlin entitled, "The Tank Home," I thought, "I'll bet that house is long gone – no doubt torn down for some campus building." It didn't look the least bit familiar to me even though I've been commuting to Oberlin for almost five years via various routes.

Little did I know (after doing a little research) that Tank Hall is a part of the Oberlin College campus and that I was driving by it every day on the way home. It's set back from the road a bit and hidden by trees, so it's easy to miss.
So what is Tank Hall? 

According to its Wiki entry, “Tank Hall, also known as Tank House and Tank Cooperative, is an 1896 Queen Anne living and dining cooperative owned and maintained by Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, United States. Originally the Tank Home for Missionary Children, the house underwent a series of renovations before becoming the co-op it is today. It currently operates as one of the Oberlin Student Co-operative's co-ops.

“The house was built by the Oberlin Missionary Home Association in 1896 to house the children of the missionaries abroad. It was designed by Cleveland architect F. A. Coburn. The firm of Glen and Copeland, from Oberlin, were the builders. The Home was named after Mrs. Caroline L. A. Tank, who contributed a quarter of the cost of its construction as a gift from the estate of her late husband Nils Otto Tank, who was a wealthy son of a Norwegian gentryman and worked as a missionary in Dutch Guiana in the 1840s; he also founded a Moravian religious commune in northern Wisconsin. 

"In 1922, after the Association had ended, the College acquired the property for use as a women's dormitory. It became a residential co-operative in 1963.

“This building is set back from the road on a slight hill and has a large front yard. A sandstone path leads from the sidewalk to the front porch and to a large bike-rack on the west side of the house. There is a paved driveway on the east side of the house that leads to a small parking lot in the back. In front of the house is a massive ash tree.”

It's a beautiful building. I stopped there several times this week trying to get some good photos to match some vintage postcard views. On my first try early in the week, the sun didn't cooperate and I wasn't happy with my photos with the cloudy sky. So I tried again last night since the sun was out. I'm surprised someone inside didn't call campus security and say,"Hey that guy in the blue car is back again!"

As expected, the trees interfered with my ability to get a good, matching 'now' shot angle. 

New Lorain Public Library Begins to Take Shape – August 1956

The Lorain Public Library has been a big part of my life since I was just a kid.

I can still remember in the 1960s when there was a branch library at the Lorain Plaza on Oberlin Avenue; we went to a few times, as it was just a few minutes away from our house. Later, when I was in fifth or sixth grade, I had to write a report on something that our Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedias (acquired by Mom at a local grocery store – one volume at a time) didn't cover. Then it was necessary to go to the Main Branch on Sixth Street. Before I could drive, I rode my bike there. If it was a weeknight, Mom or Dad would drop me off, and come back for me when the library closed.

I can still remember the layout of the library back then, with all those tables and chairs arranged in the front of the main room downstairs. It was a place to study or read, and Mrs. Hudak (who went to our church) was stern, and kept things under control. It was very quiet and no horseplay was allowed. 

And there were thousands and thousands of books. The stacks were jammed with them. (Now, not so much.) After all, it was a place for people who loved to read. And there were records you could borrow, and out-of-town newspapers that you could peruse. 

If it wasn't for the library, I probably wouldn't have this blog. This blog came about because I took a class there back in 2009 about how to create one. And I've relied on the library microfilm and local history section for my research and content ever since.

Anyway, 70 years ago, the current Lorain Public Library on Sixth Street was under construction, as noted in this photo from the August 16, 1956 Lorain Journal.

The new Library would officially open the following year.

Today, it's amazing that the Library hasn't moved or been replaced. But the building still looks great and is yet another beloved landmark in Lorain.

The view this week

Andy's Hardware Grand Opening Ads of the 1950s

Courtesy Lorain Historical Society

Mention Andy's Hardware to someone who grew up in Lorain in the era from the 1950s to the 1980s, and they're sure to smile at the memories that it conjures up. Who didn't go in there at some point, seeking some hard-to-find-item and it turned out that, sure enough, Andy had it?

I was one of those that for some time thought that 'Andy' was his first name. But it turns out that his real name was Edward Andy. 

While looking through old Lorain Journals from August 1956, I found what I thought for sure was the Grand Opening ad for his store. But further digging revealed that there was another Grand Opening ad from earlier that year. And another Grand Opening ad a year later when he apparently did some remodeling.

Here then are an ample sample of 1950s store ads, beginning with what I believe is the first one.

Feb. 29, 1956

June 27, 1956

August 8, 1956

With two different Grand Opening dates in 1956, it's not surprising that the Anniversary Sale in 1957 would be held in a different month than either of them.

May 7, 1957

July 4, 1957

The store closed in the early 1990s and the building was eventually demolished. It was like losing an old friend. 

Andy's Hardware, Willow Hardware, Whalen Drug, Selenti's Pizza, DiSimones, Steve's Shoe Repair... all fading Oberlin Avenue memories for those of us who grew in Lorain in the 1960s and 70s.

Back to School With Kline's – August 1956

The thought of having to go back to school in the fall might be fairly upsetting to some kids – even a little scary. 

But 'a little scary' could also be applied to the freakish 'teacher' shown in the ad below for Klines department store, which ran in the Lorain Journal back on August 2, 1956.

With a globe for a head, a chalkboard for a torso, and a variety of pointy objects (including a pen nib, and two pencils) for appendages, this teacher/monster is the thing of nightmares.

And then there's the pupils.

The scanning of the Journal's microfilm no doubt played havoc with some of the images in the ad. The digitization of the illustration of the schoolchildren (which originally had a screen tint applied to their faces by the artist) has created an odd, disturbing effect of making them look like the Batman villain Two-Face. Ugh!

And lastly (and for the final cheap laugh here), although the kids are merely raising their hands hoping to be called on by their mutant instructor, the little boy appears to be giving a salute that would be right at home in the Third Reich. 

Anyways, the gimmick in the ad was that a lucky boy or girl could win a portable Columbia 3-speed phonograph just by coming in and registering.

Here's a '1956 Columbia Portable Record Player Suitcase' (as it is described) that can be found on eBay right now. It needs to be repaired (it's missing its cartridge and stylus) or can be used for parts. I don't know if it's the one mentioned in the ad, but – it could be.

We had something like this in the Brady household in the early/mid-1960s. I know it was portable because I remember we had it out in the garage one time. There might have been an illustration or design on the cover, rather than just a solid color.

I also remember some of the records we played on it were yellow, not black; now I know that they were Golden Records. Other records included some Christmas carols such as Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

C-T Drive-Ins Article – August 10, 1994

Well, the weekend is here but summer is winding down. Why not take a little trip back in time by visiting one of our two original area drive-ins where you can still be waited on by a carhop and eat in your car? 

Of course, I'm talking about Dog 'n Suds and Dinner Bell.

It's a good idea now and it was 32 years ago too, when Pam Plas of the Chronicle-Telegram wrote the great article below about those two very same drive-ins. It appeared in that newspaper on August 10, 1994 and includes some great quotes by Ilene Hampton (who still owns Dog 'n Suds) and Marie Reynolds (who along with her husband Bill owned the Dinner Bell).

I've included the great photos by Chuck Humel of the Chronicle that accompanied the article, which I've saved all these years. (The photo below was a challenge to seam together; when it appeared in the C-T it took up half a page.)

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Kenny Anderson of Lorain likes Dog-N-Suds because,
"It's original. It's the old-fashioned one. I don't like those drive-throughs."

Cruisin’ the Drive-ins

Pam Plas • The Chronicle-Telegram

You’re not likely to find Richie Cunningham and the rest of the “Happy Days” gang hanging out at Dog-N-Suds or the Dinner Bell Drive-In. But any given night during the summer, you are likely to find a crowd.

In the days before McDonald’s and other fast-food restaurants, drive-ins were THE place to hang out.

Teen-agers waited on by carhops, munched hamburgers and drank milk shakes behind the wheel of daddy’s ’57 Chevy or Studebaker. During the 50s they packed drive-ins from Sunset Strip to Coney Island.

Car hopping may be a lost art, but Dinner Bell and Dog-N-Suds, still offer that door-to-(car) door service.

Dog-N-Suds carhop Tracy Griffin of Avon takes an order
from Dan Stanic of LaGrange who cruised in in his
1970 Buick Skylark GS convertible. Tracy, who has plans
to go to LCCC, says she likes her job. "I like meeting
people and the tips are good."

Ilene Hampton is now in her 35th year of ownership of Dog-N-Suds 2050 N. Ridge Rd. in Sheffield Township.

When Hampton borrowed $8,500 to buy the restaurant in 1959, it was one of hundreds of Dog-N-Suds in a national chain.

Today, Hampton said, there’s only about a handful left in the United States. The Sheffield Township restaurant is the only one remaining Dog-N-Suds in Ohio.

Hampton said her business has been prosperous.

“It’s a lot of work but this business has been very good to me,” Hampton said.

She and her husband, Thomas, the manager of the restaurant, work more than 100 hours a week.

“It’s tiring but we have the winter to rest up,” she said, chuckling.

Dog-N-Suds is only open six months a year – from March 1 through Aug. 31.

Hampton said her customers range from teens to senior citizens to families with small children.

The menu includes hot dogs with Coney sauce, sizzle steaks, corn dogs and curly fries. A favorite among customers is the Texasburger, a double-decker burger, and Dog-N-Suds homemade root beer.

“We make it right here and serve it in frosted mugs,” Hampton said.

Old time Rootbeer: It's homemade and served
in a frosty mug at Dog-N-Suds.

Double-decker hamburgers are popular at Dinner Bell Drive-In too. The Dinner Bell also serves hot dogs, chili dogs, sloppy joes and sausage sandwiches.

Bill and Marie Reynolds have owned Dinner Bell, located at 6340 Lake Ave. in Elyria Township for 14 years. They are open from April 1 through Sept. 30.

Marie Reynolds, who owns Dinner Bell Drive-in
with her husband, William, says their homemade
sloppy joes and two styles of lemonade are hot menu items.

“We get a big lunchtime crowd and we’re busy on weekends,” said Marie Reynolds.

“We have a lot of regular customers. And we have a lot of older customers and families. We’re family priced.”

Reynolds said she hires waitresses who are naturally friendly.

“We expect them to give good service and be personable. And we tell them to always say ‘hello’ to senior citizens because it may be the first time all day that someone has greeted them.”

Hampton said she, too, believes that good, friendly service has been the key to her success.

“That’s important. And the food has to be good, too. I haven’t changed much over the years. My philosophy has always been stick with what works. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” she said.

The neon root beer sign jets Dog-N-Suds diners back into the '50s.

****

(The article has one minor timeline error. The Dog 'n Suds drive-in first opened under a different owner in 1963. Ilene has owned it since 1966.)

****

I've eaten at Dog 'n Suds about once a week since it opened this year. Manager Heather does a fantastic job of running the place so the food and service is always great and very reasonably priced! And my favorite carhop Kasey always takes good care of me.

Back to School With Popeye at Penneys – 1935

Fans of pop culture know that during the 1930s, Popeye the Sailor was more popular with kids than Mickey Mouse. Because of his animated cartoons (which beat the ever-cheerful Disney rodent in polls taken by theater owners) and his daily comic strip (drawn by cartoonist/creator Ezie Segar), the one-eyed, spinach-eating sailor was truly a national sensation. 

Thus it's not too surprising to see Popeye featured in this Back-to-School ad for Penney's that ran in the Lorain Journal back on August 28, 1935. Since it was assumed that rough-and-tumble Popeye had great appeal to little boys, most of the ad space is taken up with boys' clothes: shirts, knickers, sweaters, slacks, golf hose and school oxfords. The inclusion of girls' tub frocks seem like an afterthought.

The main drawing point of the ad was a complimentary ticket to the Warner Bros. Palace Theater on Friday, August 30th and Saturday, Aug. 31st. Lorain schools started the next week, so it was sort of a last hurrah for summer vacation.

And what was showing at the Palace on those two nights? None other than the just-released W.C. Fields comedy Man on the Flying Trapeze. 

Despite the fact that it sounds like a circus movie, the plot was no doubt a familiar one to the great comedian's fans. He plays a henpecked husband with a shrewish wife (and nasty mother-in-law) and a loving daughter. And happily (like most of his movies), his character come out on top and there's a happy ending.

But what about Popeye?

If you look closely at the ad, there is indeed a Popeye cartoon as part of that night's program. It doesn't say which one it was, but a football-themed Popeye cartoon was released to theaters that very weekend. Here's a clip of You Gotta Be a Football Hero featuring Popeye's football team versus that of Bluto's. The game is already underway and Popeye is getting clobbered. Fickle Olive isn't even rooting for him!

Have a Peachy Time Shopping at Bergman Orchards Farm Markets

Anyone who has spent any time in Port Clinton, Marblehead or the Lake Erie islands is probably familiar with the popular Bergman Orchards farm markets. With two locations – one on State Route 53 and the other on State Route 269 – they’re pretty hard to miss with their well-known red and white striped awnings. And both have the incredible variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are the hallmark of the Bergman name.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dan Bergman, owner of Bergman Orchards, at the Route 53 market for my latest article in Leisure Living (which you can read here). Dan, his wife Patty and other family members were hard at work, making sure their customers were happy. But he kindly took the time to chat with me and give me a tour.

Dan and Patty Bergman

I asked Dan about the history of the business. He pointed out that Bergman Orchards has been family owned for more than 150 years.

“In 1859 German emigrant Dietrich Bergman settled in Danbury Township and began farming,” he noted. “His son Johann followed in his footsteps, and Johann's son, Edwin continued farming as well.”

By the 1930s, Edwin began selling peaches, apples, grapes, pears and plums with just a wheel barrow and a plank of wood set by the road. Eventually, Edwin and his son John opened a retail fresh produce stand on old State Route 2 in 1946. And that led to the still-thriving 80-year-old business that is so much a part of Vacationland today, with the seventh generation of family members involved with the business and continuing John's legacy.

Dan provided me with a great selection of vintage photos showing the business as it evolved and grew.

Edwin Bergman (in center of photo) taking bushels of peaches to market
in Danbury Township circa 1910. Dan even knew the names of Edwin's horses!
(Photo courtesy Joan Hickman)

Edwin Bergman and wife Mary with a load of pears in 1930

The first roadside market

Young John Bergman at the first market

This photo and photo below show the expanded farm market on Bayshore Road, circa 1961

Over the years, the Bergman Orchards roadside stands changed locations to take advantage of increased tourist traffic. Today there are just the two markets. The Route 269 store opened in 1961 and the State Route 53 one in 1980.

The Route 269 market

The Route 53 market

(My family has been stopping at the Route 269 market for as long as I can remember, since we used to camp at East Harbor State Park in the 1960s.)

I asked Dan why they have two stores only minutes away from each other. He chuckled as he explained, “With only two main roads leading to Lake Erie and the Islands, it’s hard not to pass one of our markets.” It's a pretty savvy marketing tactic!

And each market has its own distinctive roadside landmark.

The Route 53 market has a giant fiberglass apple out front. If it looks familiar to you, that’s because it used to adorn the top of the Steuk’s barn at the former farm market in Sandusky! When the property went up for sale, Dan bought the apple at the auction, paying less than a hundred dollars for it. “I wanted it to stay in the area,” he explained.

Dan and Patty and family members pose in front of the large apple in front of the Route 53 market

And the Route 269 market has the memorable “Take a Peach to the Beach” sign nearby on the highway, showing a woman swimmer shown from the back, with two well-placed peaches superimposed over her behind. 

"My dad put that up in 1970 after working the night shift at General Motors in Sandusky and came home and told the family about his idea," Dan explained. "To this day, we have the logo on T-shirts and people regularly stop and take selfies with the sign."

When you stop at one of the markets, it’s hard to resist the amazing selection of fresh produce, including homegrown peaches, sweet corn, melons, and tomatoes. 

There are also Bergman Orchards signature Hot & Sweet Pickles, jams and preserves, as well as local honey and homemade baked goods, including the famous Bergman peach, apple cinnamon, and cheese breads. The bread, pie and other goodies are baked right on the premises at the Route 53 store.

And don't forget the Bergman Orchards Traffic Jam, an employee favorite. While 'traffic jam' usually has a negative connotation, in this case it's a delicious blend of fruits and berries (including peaches, strawberries, cherries, red raspberries and cranberries) all jammed together in one jar.

I tried some for the first time recently, and it's really good – and worth waiting in a real traffic jam for.

So the next time you're heading out to the Port Clinton and Marblehead areas, stop in at one (or both) of the Bergman Orchards farm markets. You'll soon see why they have enjoyed success and customer loyalty for 80 years!

Dan Bergman and the family's flagship item