What to do with Admiral King's Birthplace? – June 1964

Sixty years ago, the City of Lorain was trying to figure out what to do about the birthplace of its most famous and accomplished son: Admiral Ernest J. King, Commander-in-chief of the U. S. Fleet during World War II.

The home in which he was born, located at 113 Hamilton Ave. in Lorain, was in danger of being torn down, as its then owner had other uses in mind for the property. 

The article above on the front page of the June 9, 1964 Lorain Journal explains. It notes, "A Lorain memorial to the city's favorite son, or kindling wood. This was the apparent alternative for a modest but historic frame home on Hamilton Ave., marked only with the street number "113."

"The house, now vacant for some time, was the birthplace of the late Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, World War II hero.

"Councilman - at - Large Jerry Keron said he was told the site is being cleared for another purpose, and that the residence will either be moved or demolished.

"The question raised, according to Keron, was whether the city would be interested in buying the house and moving it to another location, perhaps on park property.

"Efforts have been made on a number of occasions to have the Admiral King birthplace set aside as a memorial, either at the present or some other site."

The next day in the June 10, 1964 Journal, an editorial appeared, acknowledging the dilemma.

The editorial ponders whether the old King home was suitable for a museum. But it correctly notes that King rated "more recognition than he has been given. History will show that he was a great man – one of the greatest in the time of crisis when world dictatorship was threatened." However, the Journal editor was in favor of leaving it up to the civic leaders as to what to do about the home.

An article in the June 13, 1964 Journal floated the idea of moving the home to "a strip of park property across from Century Park on E. Erie." Consequently the house would be located near the U. S. Naval Reserve Armory on Cleveland Blvd., "whose personnel would have a special interest in the Admiral King memorial."

Another article on June 26, 1964 suggested making the house part of the Admiral King High School site.

Despite the discussions and suggestions, no action was taken to save the house. It did not make the news during the rest of 1964 or even 1965.

In September 1966, the house was still standing – and talk about making it a museum or memorial began anew. Here's an article that appeared in the Journal on September 10, 1966.

About that time, Mayor Leonard P. Reichlin of Elyria suggested moving the house to Elyria, where it would receive the respect it deserved at the county seat as a museum. But Lorain Mayor Woodrow Mathna shrugged off the suggestion in this article from the Sept. 14, 1966 Journal.

A small editorial in the September 15, 1966 Journal thanked the Elyria Mayor for reminding everyone "that nothing has been done about creating a display of Admiral King memorabilia." The paper suggested that the high school named after him would be the logical place, unless a special building was erected for that specific purpose.

But the Journal apparently had the last word about the house. "As for saving the house in which the Admiral was born," it noted, "that would be a useless gesture. It is an insignificant little frame building. Preserving the structure would not serve to honor the memory of Admiral King. But to display his mementoes and to preserve in films, photos, voice tape, drawings and words the outline of his life and military career would properly honor him."

Today, the "insignificant little frame building" is slowly vanishing. Here's a view (so to speak) from last weekend.

I would not be surprised if it is eventually condemned and replaced by the Admiral Ernest J. King Memorial Grassy Spot®.

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Admiral Ernest J. King's birthplace has shown up on this blog many times. This 2011 blog post includes some "Then & Nows" over the years. And this 2010 post includes some more Journal coverage from Sept. 1966 when the Elyria Mayor offered to take the house off of Lorain's hands. And this post included a nice shot of the house at the time of the Sept. 2011 dedication of both the Admiral Ernest J. King Tribute Space and the new Admiral Ernest J. King Elementary School.

A June 2011 view

U.S.S. Lorain is Launched – March 1944

Eighty years ago today on Monday, March 13, 1944, the U.S.S. Lorain was being prepped for a launch later in the week. Above is the Lorain Journal from that date with the news.

As the article notes, "Lorain's own warship, the U.S.S. Lorain, will slide down the launching ways at the American Shipbuilding Cp. yards here at 12:20 p. m. Saturday.

"Meanwhile, plans went forward for the city celebration which is to accompany the launching of the first warship ever to bear Lorain's name. The U.S.S. Lorain is a 303-foot frigate, built under U. S. Maritime Commission specifications for convoy duty.

"Christening the ship will be Mrs. Fred Henderson, mother of Marine Hero Maj. Lofton Henderson who was killed at the battle of Midway.

"The city is clearing and leveling ground in back of the Eagles-blog at Broadway and 6th-st, which is almost exactly opposite the building berth where the trim warship waits its christening. From this point a clear view of the launching ceremony will be possible. 

"Launching here the warship Lorain will add further to the city's 46-year shipbuilding tradition, and will in fact come pretty close to being on the 46th anniversary of the launching of the first ship here by the American Shipbuilding Co.

"It was on April 13, 1898 that the company launched the Superior City, 430-foot ore carrier which at that time was the largest vessel on the Great Lakes. Many of the men who worked on the Superior City also have had a part in the building of the Lorain.

"The Superior City proved her worth in 22 years of operation on the Great Lakes, but was lost in a collision in 1920."

The launching came off without a hitch on Saturday. 

Lorain's own Admiral Ernest J. King flew home to attend the christening and greet Mrs. Henderson.

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This United States Coast Guard website includes the story of the U.S.S. Lorain. The Wiki entry for the U.S.S. Lorain also provides a history of the ship as well as a photo.

Admiral King's 75th Birthday – Nov. 1953

Seventy-five years ago this month, Lorain's most accomplished citizen – Admiral Ernest J. King – was celebrating his 75th birthday.

Above is the front page of the November 23, 1953 Lorain Journal marking that milestone with a special cartoon, front and center.

"Resting quietly in his home in Washington, D. C., Lorain - born Admiral Ernest J. King today was the recipient of many cards of congratulations as he observed his 75th birthday.

"It was on Nov. 23, 1878, that the admiral who led the nation's naval forces in one of the country's greatest crises was born in an unpretentious white frame house at 113 Hamilton Ave.

"He graduated from Lorain High School in 1897 and from the U. S. Academy in 1901 to begin a long naval career climaxed by his appointment as commander-in-chief at the United States fleet and chief of naval operations.

"The appointment was made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt shortly after Pearl Harbor and came after Admiral King had advanced through the grades to the rank of rear admiral, received in 1933, and the rank of admiral, received in 1941.

"A frequent visitor to Lorain until his serious illness a few years ago, Admiral King never failed to visit his old friends and classmates when here.

"On one of these visits, as honored guest for Lorain's Victory Day celebration at the end of World War II, Admiral King, although on a crowded schedule, took time to pay several personal surprise calls to families of Lorain men who lost their lives in naval action during the war.

"Another well-remembered visit to his hometown was in 1947 when he helped former fellow schoolmates celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Lorain High School.

"Although known as a strict disciplinarian in the line of naval duty, there has always been a twinkle in his eye when chatting with fellow Lorainites, exchanging anecdotes recalling the days of his youth here.

"Admiral King has been in ill health since suffering a severe stroke a few years ago. He returned to his Washington, D. C. home after several months in the naval hospital at Bethesda, Md., but still reports back to the hospital periodically for a check=up.

Admiral Ernest J. King has been the topic of many, many blog posts here over the years. I'm still unhappy that the most famous, successful and important person that ever came out of, or will ever come out of, Lorain, Ohio – my hometown – has no sign at the city limits making it known that he was born and raised here. I'm also disappointed that his name is no longer attached to the high school, but perhaps it's just as well, since his incredible accomplishments are completely unknown to the younger generations and, increasingly, even the general public.

Anyway, a quick glance at the rest of the Journal front page might give you a feeling of déja vu, with China involved with drug trafficking, and Israel defending its retaliatory military actions in Qibya.

The good news, though, is that Ohio's hunting season "opened today with partly cloudy skies and the threat of forest fires greatly alleviated."

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By the way, you might be wondering about the men shown 'working' in the photo at the bottom of the page. What were they doing? A quick look at page 17 revealed that they were judging potential acts for that year's edition of the Mary Lee Tucker Christmas Benefit Show.

Crusty Admiral Ernest J. King

Admiral King doesn’t look crusty in this photo of him at his Class Reunion in April 1944
(Courtesy www.history.navy.mil)

What kind of man was Admiral Ernest J. King, the greatest and most accomplished person ever born in Lorain, Ohio?

The answer: apparently he was a pretty crusty guy – who snarled at his aides and didn’t like to be awakened from a sound slumber.

Read all about it in the hilarious article by Jack Walsh of the Washington Post below, which appeared in the Lorain Journal on February 22, 1969. In it, Walsh writes about the much-decorated Lt. Commander Robert E. “Dusty” Dornin, who served as an aide to Lorain’s Number One Son – and lived to tell about it.

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I still find it ridiculous that Admiral Ernest J. King didn’t make the cut in 2018 for Lorain Schools’ Alumni Association’s inaugural class of distinguished alumni. Have any of the honorees done more to make the city famous than Admiral King? Or is more about the honoree having living relatives in the area, or being a young role model that kids can relate to?

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Admiral Ernest J. King has been a regular topic on this blog since the beginning. Click here to visit some of those old posts, which include his 1942 visit back to Lorain for the big Homefront Celebration, and this post (and this post) about his birthplace on Hamilton.

Admiral Ernest J. King Painting Update

It's been a while since I did an update on this whole Admiral Ernest J. King painting caper, and a lot has happened since my last post.

To begin with, thanks to Joe Jeffries of the Lorain Public Library, we know a bit more about Chris Lewis, the person who painted the portrait. According to some clippings from the Chronicle-Telegram that Mr. Jeffries found, Chris Lewis was chief deputy in the Lorain County Sheriff's department during the late 30's and early 1940's. Lewis was also a sign painter by trade for 40 years and he made painting his hobby.

He was also a member of the Lorain Elks lodge, and one of the clippings mentioned that on October 20, 1943, "Chief Deputy Chris Lewis presented his own hand painted portrait of Admiral King to the lodge."

It had already been established that the large color painting at left was done by Chris Lewis and presented to the Admiral at the September 1945 Victory Luncheon. So what was this second King painting that was mentioned in the 1943 clipping? Were there really two paintings – or did the one bounce around a bit?

Fortunately, the Lorain Elks solved this mystery rather quickly. When I contacted them through their Facebook page about the possibility of a second King portrait by Chris Lewis, I received a nice reply from member J. Anthony Rich, who mentioned, "I think the painting is in our Lodge as we speak."

Mr. Rich kindly invited me to visit the Lodge, and he took me upstairs to their meeting room (which was very cool to see – especially since my grandfather was an Elk.) Lo and behold, hanging in one corner of the room was the painting that Chris Lewis donated to the Lodge back in 1943.

It's a lot smaller than the one that hung at Admiral King High School, and done on a smaller scale. But it's unmistakably Chris Lewis' work. He really was quite talented.

Strangely enough, he didn't sign either painting.

Anyway, Mr. Rich was nice enough to remove it from the wall at my request, since I was having trouble photographing it. But no matter which way it was held, or in which lighting, it was practically impossible to shoot without getting a reflection off the paint.

The shot at left is the best I could do.

Anyway, now the mystery shifts back to the original painting at the top of the blog. If it was presented to Admiral King himself as a gift, how did it ultimately end up at Admiral King High School?

I put this question to some of Admiral King's relatives at the dedication ceremony of the new elementary school, where the painting is now hanging. I happened to be standing by the stage while the family was being photographed, and when they started to disperse, I ran up and shouted, "HOLD IT!!! Do any of you ever remember seeing that large painting of the Admiral before, maybe in his house?"

Although most of the family probably thought I was a kook, one courageous women did talk to me. She assured me that she did not remember ever seeing the portrait before.

So my new theory is this: the Admiral decided to donate the portrait to some local organization or group, and it never left the area. Later, that same group decided it belonged at the high school.

We'll see.

Thanks again to Joe Jeffries for his assist with the research, and J. Anthony Rich and the Lorain Elks for the invitation to visit their Lodge and photograph the painting. And thanks of course to fellow sleuth Lisa over at Buster's House for inviting me along on this merry hunt.

Admiral King Birthplace Through the Years

Although the hoopla over the dedication of the Admiral Ernest J. King tribute space was last month, I'm still involved in some Admiral King-related research and still coming up with material to post. 

It's interesting (to me at least) how the Admiral's birthplace has changed through the years. Here's a view from the 1952 autobiography of Admiral Ernest J. King.

Here's a clipping (below) that I found recently in the Special Collections file of the Lorain Public Library. It's from the Journal and shows Admiral King's birthplace on Hamilton Avenue as it looked back in 1967, when it was for sale for $12,500. It's a shame that it wasn't purchased by the city back then for a museum.

Lastly, here a view from the tribute space dedication last month. That little porch/room on the right side seems to have gone through the most changes over the years.

Admiral Ernest J. King Highway Sign

Here's a clipping from the October 24, 1959 Lorain Journal that I found in the Special Collections file of the Lorain Public Library. (Click on it for a larger view.) It shows an Admiral Ernest J. King highway marker that used to be on Route 58 (Leavitt Road) on the southern approach to the city. One of these signs is now down at the Admiral Ernest J. King tribute space.

When I saw this, I thought, "Oh, yeah--I kind of remember that!" since this was my neck of the woods while I was growing up. Check out two-lane Leavitt Road in the background, along with the farmhouse!

I wonder why the sign was taken down in the first place?

Admiral Ernest J. King Weekend Wrap-up

Rear Admiral Jay A. DeLoach, USN (Ret.) addresses the crowd

It was a busy Sunday attending the dedication of both the Admiral Ernest J. King Tribute Space as well as the new Admiral Ernest J. King Elementary. Thankfully the weather was perfect.

For me, one of the highlights of the Tribute Space dedication was hearing the Lorain High School Titan Marching Band play 'Anchors Away', the fight song of my alma mater, the old Admiral King High School. Having the band march down Hamilton Ave. in front of Admiral King's birthplace was also a nice touch.

Admiral King's birthplace also looked its best in years.

Over at the dedication of the elementary school, it was good to both the bust and the painting of Admiral King from the old high school on display. Both will hopefully serve as inspiration to the students.

Big Admiral Ernest J. King Weekend!

Well, it looks like good weather this weekend for what promises to be the biggest celebration of Lorain's own Admiral Ernest J. King since his namesake high school was dedicated back in October 1961.

The Admiral Ernest J. King Tribute Space (located across from his birthplace at 113 Hamilton Avenue) will be dedicated on Sunday at 1:00 in the afternoon, followed by the dedication of Admiral Ernest J. King Elementary at 2:00 at the site of the former Lorain High School.

If you haven't been down to the Tribute Space yet, here's a sneak preview. (By the way, the final name of the space has not been decided yet.)

Be sure to stop by That Woman's Weblog to read about how the idea for the Tribute Space was hatched by Loraine Ritchey and Renee Dore.

Things are also looking ship-shape over at the Admiral Ernest J. King Elementary. It's good to see one of the old anchors from Admiral King High School, as well as the Ohio Historical Marker, back in action.

Admiral King Painting Mystery – Solved!

Since I just spent three days talking about one painting mystery being solved, I guess I'd better blog about the other painting mystery that's been solved as well. The mystery originated on Lisa Miller's Buster's House blog back in June (and I first mentioned it here). Although Lisa has already talked about this on her blog a few weeks ago, I realized that I'd better post it here as well, since I recently discovered that the word hadn't gotten out completely, and there were still people trying to help.

We finally have the name of the person who painted the portrait of Admiral Ernest J. King, thanks to the volunteers at the Black River Historical Society and a little luck. The artist's name: Chris Lewis.

During one of my Sunday trips to the BRHS to research the painting, one of the helpful volunteers had pulled the file of photos on Admiral King. He was flipping through them when I recognized the painting in the background of one of them (below).

It was easy to identify the photo as being from the September 1945 Victory Celebration that took place in Lorain after World War II. (The photo showed Lorain Mayor Harry Van Wagnen seated to Admiral King's right. To his immediate left was his aid, and then Ohio Governor Frank Lausche.)

Since the painting was at that event, it was a matter of finding out why. So I went back to the microfilm and re-read the Lorain Journals from a month before the event, hoping that there would be a photo of the painting and the artist. There wasn't – but I kept reading.

Finally, in the Saturday, September 29, 1945 edition, an article about King's arrival in Lorain mentioned that on Sunday there was to be a special luncheon at 12:30 p. m. in the Jayteen auditorium (of Hotel Antlers) with the admiral and the governor as principal speakers. It also mentioned the presentation of a portrait (painted by Chris Lewis) to King.

During the luncheon the next day, Dr. Ernest Hatch Wilkins of Oberlin College had some fun with the presentation of the painting.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to find out anything about Chris Lewis. The name is not in any Lorain city directories from that time, so I do not think Lewis was a Lorain resident.

I have also spent several hours in the Oberlin Public Library, and it does not appear that Chris Lewis was an Oberlin College student, faculty member or alumni. The few phone books from the late 40's and early 50's do not contain the name either.

Perhaps someone will read this and make the connection as to why the president of Oberlin College presented the painting and who Chris Lewis was. Perhaps Lewis was an old friend of the president who did the painting as a favor.

Anyway, Lisa Miller had a great tale to tell me about having a professional art restoration expert look at the painting, and going over it with a black light to examine it closely. The expert's opinion was that whoever painted the portrait was quite experienced and confident in their technique. So Chris Lewis was no amateur! We only wish we know who Lewis was!

Thanks once again to everyone who helped solve this mystery, including my old Admiral King art teacher Frank Hicks and of course the Black River Historical Society. I also bugged many other people and organizations in search of leads (such as the good people at the Lorain Elks) – so thanks to them as well.

Admiral Ernest J. King Bust 1975

From the pages of my 1975 Trident, here's a photo of most of the Senior Class Officers posing in front of the bust of Admiral Ernest J. King. From left to right, there is President Vic Rosen, Treasurer Elaine Baron, and Vice President Guy Richards.

I sure hope that bust of Admiral King was 'anchored' to that shelf! It seemed to be used as a photo backdrop in the Trident many times during the early 1970's.

Admiral Ernest J. King Bust Unveiling

Here's a neat photo from the archives of the Black River Historical Society. The photo had no caption, but depicts some Navy officials at the apparent unveiling of a bust of Admiral Ernest J. King. The BRHS file also had photos from the dedication of the high school.

The bust shown above was on display at Admiral King High School and I'm sure is well-remembered by school alumni.

Remember This Admiral Ernest J. King Portrait?

This great portrait of Admiral Ernest J. King should look familiar to anyone who attended Admiral King High School (like me). I believe it hung on the wall near the entrance to the auditorium, if my memory is correct. Either that or it was in that same hallway.

For me, this painting WAS Admiral Ernest J. King. Seeing it everyday (along with the sculptured bust of him) created an awareness of the man, and his importance, that was impossible to forget.

Well, over at the Buster's House website, Lisa is asking for help in identifying the mystery artist. The painting is apparently headed over to the new Admiral King elementary school, which opens later this year.

The painting appears to be based on this photo.

While the painting is very well done, I suspect that it was done by a student because of its simple, unpretentious style – plus it would have been the ideal opportunity for an Admiral King High School art student.

My only other guess is that it might have been done by the late local artist and big band saxophonist Frank Katrick, who did countless portraits for local sports figures for the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame as well as other civic figures. Frank's style was similar to this, although I'm not sure if he worked much in paint.

Whoever the artist is, he or she should be very proud for creating something that students could be (and will be) inspired by everyday. Plus I like the painting much more than the reference photo!

Hopefully we'll have the artist's name sooner or later!

Admiral King Tribute Site Flag Raising

On Saturday morning, I stopped down at the new Admiral King Tribute site to watch the flag being raised on the 55th anniversary of Admiral Ernest J. King's passing.

It was a little overcast and windy, but thankfully it didn't rain. My shot (above) of the flagpole and Admiral King's birthplace is from a little later in the day, when the sun came out.

It was a nice flag-raising ceremony, and you couldn't help being choked up a little bit seeing Lorain once again honor its number-one son (especially after the school board stripped his name from the high school last year).

The Morning Journal website has video from the ceremony here.

Here's a few of my shots from the actual flag-raising.

Be sure to read Loraine Ritchey's blog for the story behind the Tribute site, with profiles of the people involved in the creation of it (including Loraine, who I finally got to meet on Saturday!)

The Admiral's Birthplace Gets Its Due

This Plain Dealer article from April 12, 1942 features Admiral King's birthplace

It was great to read last week in the Morning Journal (here) that Admiral Ernest J. King's birthplace on Hamilton Street will finally get some sort of official recognition, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Charleston Village Society Inc. (CVSI) and the Black River Historical Society.

Photo from King's autobiography

You might remember the newspaper editorial from 1966 (which I reprinted here) in which his house was referred to as "an insignificant old frame dwelling".

Happily, times – and opinions – have changed.

It is finally apparent that while buildings named for Admiral Ernest J. King may come and go, the building that he was born in is special – and worth recognizing.

But the process of trying to get landmark status for the house as King's birthplace has resulted in a 'birther' controversy!

According to Loraine Ritchey of the CVSI, there was not enough positive, documented proof that King was actually born there for the house to have landmark status. Local researchers even found a copy of his birth certificate, but the Hamilton Street address was not on it.

May 27, 1949 clipping

However, King's own autobiography confirmed the house as his birthplace, and the sentimental old salt continued to visit it almost every time he came to Lorain. A short article (at left) from the Lorain Journal of May 27, 1949 shows that even during a brief visit to his hometown, he found time to stop by the old homestead.

Nevertheless, it is a great solution to create a park opposite the house with a memorial honoring King, and the Charleston Village Society and the Black River Historical Society are launching a campaign to raise money for it.

For more information, call the Charleston Village Society at (440) 246-6046. Or, to simply make a tax-deductible donation, make out a check (earmarked with "Admiral King Tribute") to Charleston Village Society, 1127 W. Fourth Street, Lorain, Ohio 44052.

Admiral Ernest J. King Historical Marker

I guess I'll bring this blog series honoring Admiral Ernest J. King to a close with a look at this fine Ohio Historical Marker erected in 2003 in front of Admiral King High School. I photographed it a few Saturdays ago in February. (Click on it for a closeup view.)

Here's a link to the official Ohio Historical Society website page with the Admiral King marker so you can read both sides of its inscription. 

Since I'm pretty sure that AKHS is getting a new name (especially after reading this today), this marker may have to be moved. Hopefully the marker will be moved to a higher visibility location, perhaps along the Lorain lakefront near his birthplace.

No matter where it ends up, this marker will continue to commemorate Lorain's No. 1 son well into the future. This marker, along with the war memorial in Lakeview Park bearing his name for which he laid the cornerstone, will hopefully ensure that he is not forgotten by his hometown.

Admiral King's Birthplace

Here's a picture of the cottage on Hamilton Street in Lorain in which Admiral Ernest J. King was born on November 23, 1878. (The picture is from the book Fleet Admiral King: A Naval Record by Ernest J. King and Walter Muir Whitehill, published in 1952.)

This cottage later became a topic of discussion, and was mentioned in the following Lorain Journal editorial that was published on September 21, 1966.

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A Plan Worthy of Admiral King

"WHO WAS ADMIRAL KING?"

That was the question of one listener during a group discussion of a recent suggestion that the house in which Admiral King was born in Lorain should be moved to Elyria and there enshrined. That idea was broached by Mayor Leonard Reichlin of Elyria.

Councilman Alex Olejko of Lorain added to the frivolity by stating that Lorain would be happy to turn that old house, and others, over to Elyria, including the Lorain City Hall building, which is itself an ancient residence.

It's all in the spirit of good clean fun. But there is a serious note which is brought to the surface when a citizen innocently asks: "Who was Admiral King?"

Not enough has been done to preserve and to honor the name of this great naval leader who stood shoulder to shoulder with General Eisenhower in mapping and executing the military design of World War II. A local high school bears his name, it is true. But the recognition should be more widespread.

Some 12 years ago, the Ohio Legislature adopted a resolution proposing that the Ohio Turnpike be named Admiral King Highway. The Turnpike Commission turned down the proposal on the grounds that "Ohio Turnpike" was already established as a name.

That objection would not apply to the new Route 90 which eventually will be a busy expressway running across the state from east to west and beyond. How about the proud name, Admiral King Highway, for this route – with a small state park along the route in Lorain County containing a monument and a museum devoted to the Admiral.

For those who are indulging in banter over an insignificant old frame dwelling, here is a project whose accomplishment would be worthy of the effort.

People everywhere would hear the name "Admiral King Highway" and be reminded of the great man.

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Fast forward to 2010. It's too bad that in 1966 the Lorain Journal considered Admiral King's birthplace to be "an insignificant old frame dwelling," and that then-Councilman (and later Mayor) Olejko was only too happy to offer it to Elyria. It sure would have been nice for King's birthplace to have been purchased back then and converted into a museum. The state park, monument and renaming of I-90 to honor Admiral King never happened, and now even the high school will very likely lose the Admiral King name, ironically with the newspaper's blessing.

Oh, the street running in front of the new school will probably be named "Admiral King Way," but it is a small gesture compared to the grand plan that the Journal envisioned back in 1966 to honor Lorain's greatest hometown hero.

Anyway, here's another view of the King birthplace, from a 1959 Lorain Journal article. And below it, a view of the cottage today.

Victory Day Celebration 1945 Part 2

Here's the front page of the Monday, October 1, 1945 Lorain Journal with the coverage of the Lorain/Lorain County Victory Day celebration. (Click on it for a closer look.) A portion of the Journal's account went like this:

"All Lorain and Lorain-co settled back to a normal life today after a Victory Day celebration yesterday that proved beyond a doubt that the city and the country are proud of their No. 1 son and their men and women who helped bring victory and peace to the nation and the world.

It was a great day, one that will long be remembered by Admiral Ernest J. King, honored guest of the day, the 10,000 persons who marched in a gigantic two-hour parade and by the 150,000 to 200,000 who lined the parade route and jammed Lakeview Park for brief ceremonies late in the afternoon."

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Today is the deadline for the Lorain City Schools to accept submissions for a new name for AKHS, made necessary due to the fear and concern that consolidating the Southview and current AKHS students under the Admiral King banner would result in violence.

If there is still any doubt as to whether the Admiral King name should be retained, please read the following editorial that ran in the September 29, 1945 Lorain Journal, two days before the edition shown above.

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A Salute to the Admiral

There is honor and glory for all the members of our armed forces who fought the magnificent battles which resulted in the defeat of Germany and Japan.

Lorain is justly proud of Admiral Ernest J. King, commander-in-chief of the United States Fleet, whom it is honoring at the Victory day celebration Sunday. But it is proud of him not so much because of his high position as because he is a symbol of all the boys, living and dead, who left homes and families in Lorain and went to fight the enemy.

War is a grim business which requires the utmost effort of every soldier and sailor, as well as every civilian. Not all can be leaders. It is given to some to occupy the spotlight, and to others to fill subordinate positions in which they may serve with equal energy and sacrifice.

What thrills Lorain about Admiral King is that he is a man's man, a sailor's sailor who embodies the highest virtues attributed to the individual American serviceman who successfully carried the nation through its greatest crisis.

Admiral King's story by now is well-known to practically every Lorain resident. Hardly a national magazine but has published at least one highly laudatory article about the admiral since he assumed command of the nation's naval forces.

He is generally credited with taking the U. S. Navy at its lowest ebb and whipping it into shape for a grueling four-year campaign which would have been considered impossible a few years ago.

From every standpoint, Admiral King is the ideal representation of military strength and greatness. In his middle 60's, he is tall and straight, and his chin is firm. He has a reputation for strict discipline. As a ship's captain he always "ran a taut ship," as the naval saying goes, and this spirit soon spread into all naval operations. It is said that the man who does his work to the best of his ability never has trouble with Admiral King. The man who doesn't never has anything else.

He knows intimately and at first hand problems and capacities of all three branches of the fighting navy. He served during his earlier years with the underseas fleet, the aviation branch, (qualifying easily as a pilot), and the surface Navy.

He has had the benefit of a keen, practical brain and wide experience. He was fourth in his class at Annapolis and attained a cold, objective mastery of the art of war.

He thinks in straight lines that produce superb organization. He has had at his command a wily sense of strategy that has assisted him in laying many traps, such as that at Midway for the unsuspecting Japanese Navy.

With all this, he is eminently human, has a saving sense of humor, and takes genuine pleasure in coming back to the home town – which he has managed to do three times during the busy war years.

We are proud to welcome back Admiral King at the end of the war which he assisted so materially in winning, and at the same time to pay tribute to the thousands of boys who fought the fight with him.