It's a popular destination for many tourists who enjoy the wonderful collection of restaurants and shops situated in an authentic, historic maritime setting. New businesses (such as Brewed Awakening, a coffee shop) seem to pop up all the time, adding to the many reasons to visit or live in Vermilion.
But this did not all happen by accident or chance.
It took a long-term, financial commitment by public and private entities, a continuing marketing effort, plus the ongoing support of the community and tourists, to make it a reality.
The article below, which appeared in the Lorain Journal on November 5, 1968, tells the story of the 1960s restoration efforts that contributed to making Downtown Vermilion what it is today.
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Vermilion of 1837 Comes Alive,
Through New Restoration Effort
Through New Restoration Effort
To the heralded Firelands, the refuge of Connecticut residents who were burned out by the British?
To the “splendid” buildings?
To the harbor, “not surpassed by any place on the south shore of Lake Erie?”
The village left a legacy not only to its descendants but to the history of the Great Lakes. She is the home of no less than 50 lake captains, the birthplace of 42 schooners, four steamships, seven steam-driven tugs and three gas-driven tugs. Five fishing companies located on her shores.
Much of this is recorded in the Great Lakes Museum, some of it is related in history books, and some of it is captured forever within the walls of the great homes built by the settlers.
An effort to preserve the spirit of the village and to restore historic landmarks within her boundaries was introduced last year.
The concept is called “Harbor Town – 1837.”
The philosophy behind the movement is to subtract the bad, retain the good and add more good.
In a year, five projects have been completed – the north wing of the Museum, the Sail Loft with its professional offices and French restaurant and three stores, the Harbour Store, the Captain’s Chair and the Ship’s Galley. The restoration was done through private funds.
It is comparable on a small scale to the German Village in Columbus. The little German community was blighted and abandoned until private enterprise formed the German Village Society and began an extensive program of restoration and preservation. That was in 1960.
Today the village is a sought-after place to live. It attracts not only tourists, but families who once moved away and are now returning.
VERMILION'S historic downtown has also been neglected. Vacant storefronts have replaced the thriving businesses of the 1800’s. This isn’t a new problem in the village. As early as 1908 it is chronicled in Betty Trinter’s “The Way It Was,” that… "With better means of transportation, village shoppers were beginning to wander and local storekeepers were doing all in their power to avert this new evil. Stores stayed open six evenings a week and on Saturday nights, when the raffles were held, their doors were often open until 10 or 11 o’clock. As a further enticement, the Baumhart Drug Store was featuring Merchant Stamps."
The newest building in Vermilion’s downtown is the Fisher Block, built in 1913. Risk-capitalists have avoided the area ever since.
One remedy to the downtown’s plight could evolve from the non-profit corporation, Friends of Harbor Town, working jointly with the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, co-chaired by Theodore D. Wakefield and Richard Gehl.
This group, working with the Vermilion Planning Commission, has asked the Lorain County Regional Planning Commission to provide a plan for the restoration of the old part of town. The plan would also include a population and economic analysis.
The cost of recommendations by the professional planners will be $6,344. In order to raise the money, the Friends of Harbor Town are sponsoring a $100-a-couple dinner at L’Auberge du Port this Friday. A few tickets are still available for the gala event. Reservations can be made with Mrs. David Shattuck at the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce.
SKEPTICS still ask, “”Why save an old part of the city?”
Friends of Harbor Town echo the sentiments of the German Village Society.
“We save it because we love it, because ‘This is our basis, our beginning.’ We save it because of our need to learn from the past, to remember our ancestors and to be proud of our heritage.”
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