Lorain's $22 Million Harbor Program – June 1962

Sixty years ago, Lorain was celebrating a new 4-year $22 million Harbor Improvement Program and anticipating the revenue that being a world port would generate.

As described in the June 2, 1962 Journal, "The Black River, termed a "life line of Lorain," is due for an operation that will make it one of the leading ports on the Great Lakes.

"This operation, one of the most vast ever undertaken, is expected to have far-reaching effects. It definitely will lure more and bigger commercial vessels to Lorain. And beyond that, more industry, more trade, and more tax dollars are among determinants which prompted Congress to approve improvements totaling about $22 million."

What did the improvements consist of?

According to the article, "Bends in the river will be cut to allow entrance of longer ships; enlargement of the turning basin will enable more maneuverability for those 700-800 footers. And although not visible, the channel deepening will make possible heaver cargoes.

"And in the outer harbor, proposed breakwall construction, as recommended by the Army Engineers, will make entrance and exit into the Lorain port safer operations."

How was Lorain awarded the money?

According to another article in the same edition of the paper, "One of they key reasons for the federal government promising $22 million to improve Lorain's harbor is contained in three words – "St. Lawrence Seaway."

"For without the seaway linking the Great Lakes with ports throughout the world, Lorain probably never would have been considered so highly for harbor modernization.

"The seaway fits into Lorain's future perfectly. With the natural harbor Lorain possesses, deep-sea commercial shipping firms are expected to find their way here. Thus, this northern Ohio port someday will be exporting bulk materials to such countries as Canada, England, Germany, and even Japan.

"Lorain is expected to feel the impact of the new world artery through additional revenue and monetary saving during the coming years.

"The entire world will come to the attention of Lorainites."

As you can see, it was a joyous time with big hopes. And the Journal's June 2, 1962 edition included many articles about the harbor, including its history, as well as congratulatory ads by local businesses and organizations.

Here's one page from that newspaper that has a nice selection of historical articles.

At the top of the page, an article compares the excitement surrounding the harbor improvement program with that of the 1913 Perry Centennial celebration, the 100th anniversary of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's victory over the British Fleet in the Battle of Lake Erie. During those festivities, Perry's flagship, the Niagara, arrived in Lorain accompanied by two other Navy ships. 

(The Perry Centennial was mentioned as an upcoming event on the front page of the June 4, 1913 Lorain Daily News that I posted yesterday.)

Other articles on the page shown above include one about Captain Julian "Dick" Porter and his three-masted schooner, as well as one about the ferry boat used to cross the Black River.

Celebratory ads for Eski Insurance, Oberlin Avenue Drapery & Carpet Shop, Delis Brothers Furniture and the Forrest Distributing Company.