Once Vermilion-on-the-Lake was off and running with the initial wave of cottages, it remained for its developers to sell it. The Vermilion-On-The-Lake Company, which was based in Cleveland, ran ads in a variety of Ohio newspapers to both promote the resort community and find representatives to do the selling.
Here’s one that ran in the
Mansfield News-Journal on June 7, 1925, promoting Vermilion-on-the-Lake as “The Atlantic City of Lake Erie.” Clewell Sykes is identified as the President of the company.
Here’s another one that ran in the
Fremont News-Messenger on Thursday, April 8, 1926.
Here’s one seeking a salesman in the Akron area that ran in the Akron Beacon Journal on June 22, 1926. In addition to the clubhouse and beach, amenities now include paved streets, sidewalks, a gun club and tea room.
By the time of this ad, which ran in the Mansfield News-Journal on July 3, 1927, there were now 118 cottages.
And this ad from the News-Journal of August 12, 1927 provides a great progress report of Vermilion-on-the-Lake at that time, with 1087 lots purchased by 800 people from all over Ohio and neighboring states.
This huge ad in the Akron Beacon Journal of April 4, 1928 was seeking a “High Grade Man” and “Local Hustler” to represent the company. Note that there were now 126 cottages built and occupied.
After the 1920s, it appears that the massive sales push for Vermilion-on-the-Lake was largely over. But by then, it was firmly established as a popular summer resort, thanks to the well-advertised dances and social events held at the clubhouse.
Here are some ads for bands appearing at the clubhouse through the years. Note that many ads still mention cottages and lots for sale.
 |
| Ad from the Lorain Times-Herald May 1928 |
 |
| Ad from the News Messenger of Friday, April 17, 1931 |
 |
| Ad from the Sandusky Register, Wednesday, Jan 27, 1932 |
 |
| Ad from the Sandusky Register of April 11, 1936 |
 |
| Ad from the Sandusky Register of June 10, 1939 |
 |
| Ad from the Sandusky Register of March 22, 1940 |
 |
| Ad from the Pittsburgh Press of July 21, 1940 |
 |
| Ad from the Chronicle Telegram of March 22, 1946 |
 |
| Ad from the Sandusky Register of June 30, 1955 |
****
Vermilion-on-the-Lake voted to merge with Vermilion in May of 1962.
Despite the merger, Vermilion-on-the-Lake remains a unique lakefront community rich in history and atmosphere, anchored by its still-gorgeous clubhouse.
