Lorain Crystal Ice Co. Article – August 14, 1947

Although it’s been rather nice weather-wise around Lorain lately, we did have our share of days in the low 90s earlier this summer.

Well, back in 1947 it was a very hot summer in Lorain with temperatures in the high 90s, with the result of an increased demand for ice. This was good news for the Lorain Crystal Ice Company.

Read all about it in the article below, which appeared in the Lorain Journal on August 14, 1947 – 70 years ago today.

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Any Ice Today, Lady?
Lorain Firm Kept Busy
Heat Boosts Company’s Business; National Tube
Firm’s Best Customer During Torrid Wave

With that mercury flirting with the high 90’s, ice used in lemonade, tea and cold compresses has temporarily replaced bread as the staff of life in Lorain homes.

In many cases, however, the city’s refrigerators, already working overtime, are unable to cope with the demand for ice cubes. So Lorain housewives, always resourceful, are falling back on that old standby – the ice man.

The Lorain Crystal Ice company is distributing between 75 and 90 tons of ice daily to customers in this area, according to Paul Plato, general manager, who says it can’t get too hot to suit his firm.

The high for this summer, he added, was set last week when 98 tons were delivered in the company’s distributing area by its fleet of 22 trucks.

Traces Progress
Tracing the industry from its early days, when ice was cut from the lake in the winter, then stored to be sold in the summer, Plato told how ice deliveries once were made entirely by horse and wagon. He added:

“Horses had it rough, pulling thru the mud after a rain. The best route, in those days, was on Erie-av because it was Lorain’s only paved street.”

Charles Drescher, 1240 6th-st, an employe for 39 years and now superintendent of the drivers and John Toma, 1101 12th-st, the “ice-man who cometh" on the Broadway route and who’s been with the firm 27 years, also recalled those early days, commenting:

“No matter how many electric or gas refrigerators are installed or how many other modern devices are invented, it seems people still prefer ice for many household uses.”

Really Hot in 1921
In 1921, Plato recalled, Lorain experienced an ice shortage because of extremely hot weather. He said:

“That was a really hot time in Lorain; there just wasn’t enough ice to meet the demand.”

That can’t happen any more, he added, explaining that modern manufacturing methods produce a year-round supply faster than it can be consumed. A supply is kept in storage at all times for emergency purposes. The Lorain plant has a storage capacity of 3,000 pounds.

One of the novel innovations in which the local industry pioneered is the ice vending machine, claimed by Plato to be the only one in use in Lorain-co and, perhaps, all Ohio. Plato related:

“When a coin is placed in the slot, the ice falls thru an opening. Some times the gears clog so a buyer hits the jackpot, but generally it works fine.

Plant Best Customer
Ice made here – the Lorain plant employes 24 men – is “farmed” out to several other firms. Plato continued:

“Don’t think ice is limited in its uses. Why, our best customer here is the National Tube company, which uses it to cool water and for other purposes.”

Ice goes to hospitals, for ice packs, refrigeration  and to cool water; it is used by fruit dealers and fish markets and, of course, in night clubs and taverns.

As for the housewife who has her modern refrigerator, she uses ice too, Plato explained, stating:

“You just can’t beat ice for packing any kind of refreshment for the basket picnic or a trip to the ball game."

1920s Spring Valley Ads

Back in early July, I did a post about Rainbow Golf Gardens, Lorain’s “pitch and putt” golf course located near Lakeview park in the early 1930s.

That triggered an email from longtime blog contributor and researcher Rick Kurish.

Rick wrote, "Your blog the other day about the miniature golf course on West Erie Avenue adjacent to Lake View Park was interesting. I never knew that the popularity of miniature golf courses dates to the 1920s; I thought it all started with the Putt - Putt chain in the 1950s and 1960s. 

"Oh well, we Baby Boomers always thought that everything started with us! 

"Just for kicks, I did a little research and found that at the same time the Rainbow Golf Gardens were operating in Lorain, that there were also two miniature golf courses in Elyria and one in Amherst."

Rick’s email ended up being pretty timely.

"I also ran across several interesting ads for Spring Valley, which was being developed at about the same time,” Rick noted. "Since the once iconic course was sold a few years ago and is now being redesigned as the Valley of the Eagles Golf Resort, with a Nicklaus design. 

(You can read the Chronicle’s coverage of the opening of the new Valley of the Eagles Golf Resort here.)

But let’s get back to Spring Valley.

"I remember when it was THE course to play in the area,” reminisced Rick. "According to articles in the Chronicle - Telegram, the land for the course was purchased in 1925 and the first 9 holes opened in 1926 as a public course. 

"Within a year or two the course was expanded to 18 holes and became a private club. 

"The attached ads from June 1927 and April 1928 really push the "exclusivity" of the club and the associated home lots that were for sale. It would seem that golf was one of many "crazes" of the Roaring 20s.”

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I never golfed at Spring Valley, but I did play there – during my "big band” days (which I’ll write about sooner or later) at a formal country club dance. I remember being impressed by the first class service provided by the attentive staff.

"Wild Man" on the Loose in Kipton – August 1932

During the early 1930s, the Great Depression was underway – and many unfortunate citizens found themselves homeless in those terrible economic times.

That may or may not have been the contributing factor behind the above story of a "wild man" living in the woods near Kipton that appeared on the front page of the Lorain Journal on August 6, 1932.

It's kind of a sad story. The poor guy wasn't really bothering anybody. Plus, he was more of a hermit than a true “wild man” (the kind that you might see in a circus sideshow in the old days) or the medieval version (seen at right).

But the Sheriff and his deputies were after him just the same, and it livened up the front page of the Journal – 85 years ago this month.

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UPDATE (August 11, 2017)
So what happened with the Sheriff and his posse? Did they throw a dragnet around the "wild man"? Rick Kurish has the answer.

As Rick noted, "Perhaps you already have this info, but since your blog today left a “wild man” loose in Lorain County, I decided to find the “rest of the story.”

"The story ended two days later, and was detailed in the C-T of August 8, 1932."

Here is the article (below). Note how there ended up being another wild man as well!

"Seems like a poor guy just down on his luck — like many others during the depression," wrote Rick. "I hope his story had a happy ending."

Crazy Days in Downtown Lorain – August 1964

A few years ago I remember seeing a vintage postcard of Downtown Lorain from the late 1950s or 60s on which the sender had written that a “crazy sale” was currently taking place. I wondered at that time was a “crazy sale” entailed.

I thought of that postcard when I saw the half-page ad above, which appeared on page 2 of the Lorain Journal on Thursday, August 6, 1964. As you can see, the ‘crazy’ aspect was mainly in the low prices (referred to in the ads as ‘rummage sale’ prices).

The list of participating merchants includes many stores still familiar to Lorain residents.

What’s interesting to me about the ad is the liberal use of advertising clip art, especially the fellow with Beatle-like hair. The ad designer made sure that the eye caught the eye of Journal readers.

Anyway, on the same day the ad ran, the Journal ran the parade photo and caption below on the facing page. It features a few of the store merchants dressed in wacky outfits and perched on bicycles while holding up signs promoting the sale. The cute photo features Bob Raeburn of Fisher Brothers; Gus Sepulveda of Lynns; Art Lipsin of Jax Store for Men; Ted Jacobs of Ted Jacobs Inc.; and George Stemple of Harry’s Men’s Wear.

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Here's another 'crazy sale' ad with kooky clip art from two years earlier. It ran in the Journal back on August 9, 1962.

Thistle Building History

Thankfully, no lives were lost in the terrible fire that destroyed the Thistle Building over the weekend. Due to safety concerns regarding the structural integrity of the building, however, it will have to come down. (Here is the story.)

Thus, another piece of historic Downtown Lorain is lost.

What were some of the significant tenants in the building over the years? I turned to the city directories at the Lorain Public Library to find out.

It appears that before the 1924 Lorain Tornado, there was a Thistle Building at 676 Broadway as early as 1907. There were furnished rooms for rent and offices as well. A real estate company (Hayes-Francis) was at 700 Broadway.

Apparently, the tornado changed that arrangement.

By the time of the 1926 city directory (the next available book), the Thistle Block was now located at 700 Broadway. The main store tenant at that time was Geo. Clark Co., a jewelry store. Geo. Clark Co. would have a long run at that location, lasting until the mid-to-late 1940s – but another well-remembered Lorain business would be there even longer.

Also in the Thistle Building in that 1926 directory were various physicians, as well as the Knights of Pythias, who used the building's third floor auditorium as their hall for most of the 1930s. Later in the 1940s, the Boilermakers Union 358 would take over the third floor.

During the 1930s and 40s, other stores joined Geo. Clark Co. at 700 Broadway, including Jordan’s (a clothing store), and Aquila Bros (a meat market). Various doctors, lawyers and insurance agents continued to occupy the upstairs rooms.

By 1950, Geo. Clark Co. was out – and Harry’s Men’s Wear was in. Harry’s Grand Opening at the 700 Broadway location was in November 1950. Harry’s would continue to call that location home until around 1986.

Other businesses shared the 700 Broadway storefront with Harry’s in the 1950s, including Young Timer’s Shop. But during the 1960s, Harry’s had the address all to himself. Two beauty salons shared the address with Harry’s in the mid-1970s.

Sadly, the building was vacant around 1986 as Downtown Lorain continued to suffer its rapid decline. A few years later, a few new businesses – Bizcomp (1988), Ana Travel (1988), Great Lakes Limousine (1993) – called 700 Broadway home.

But the building’s heyday was largely over by then. And with the tragic fire over the weekend, the book on the Thistle Building's history has been closed.

Lorain County 125th Anniversary – 1947

Although I didn’t find time to include it in my postings last month, a Lorain County milestone was celebrated in Lorain back in July 1947: the 125th Anniversary of the founding of Lorain County. It even had its own special logo (shown at left) featured in various newspaper ads.

The actual creation of Lorain County dates back to December 26, 1822 when it was authorized by the Ohio government. In a short article by Rhea Soper Eddy in a special anniversary section of the July 7, 1947 Lorain Journal, she referred to the state legislature’s action as a "belated Yuletide gift.”

The article noted, “For more than a year the settlers had waited for the legislature’s enactment. The preceding year, Heman Ely, one of Elyria’s early pioneers, had started the movement to secure the organization of a new county.”

Nevertheless, Lorain was the host for the weeklong celebration because it was the largest city in the county. Lakeview Park was where most of the anniversary events were staged, although some were held throughout the county during the week.

On the opening day, there was a big parade from Washington Avenue to Lakeview Park, where a costumed pageant (described as a mardi-gras) was held. The seven-day celebration also included a Founder’s Day Picnic, historical displays, industrial exhibits, fireworks, games, a horse show, special movies, amateur boxing bouts, bathing beauty contests, the traditional Lorain Yacht Club Regatta, and an air show on the last day.

Although the county's birthday may not be celebrated again anytime soon, back in 1947 it seemed to be an important event. Perhaps the 200th Anniversary of Lorain County (which takes place in another five years) will be acknowledged, and hopefully boost tourism for this lovely area in which we live.

Admiral King Class of 1977 – 40th Reunion

From left, Jane (Kretovics) Stephanchick, George Vida,
Diane (Corrao) Flock, Debra (DiFrancesco) Miadock,
Pat (Derrer) Resor, me, and Karen (Satterfield) Amormino
(Photo courtesy Debi Kretovics)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my Admiral King High School Class of 1977 40th Reunion, which took place Friday night down at the Black River.

Our reunion committee did a good job of organizing the event, which shared its location with the traditional Friday night Rockin’ on the River concert. Although turnout was a little low for a class of more than four hundred members, a good time was had by all who attended.

Although I was a little nervous when I headed over to the reunion tent, my fears were soon allayed. The committee members immediately made each returning classmate feel welcome, and it was only a matter of minutes before everyone was catching up with what’s been going on in our lives and our hometown since the last reunion in 2007.

It’s amazing how much our Lorain school days of the 60s and 70s left an imprint on our lives that has not faded after all these years. Most of us immediately recognized each other; we knew where each other lived back then, what neighborhood it was, with whom we walked to school, who we played with, etc.

Will today’s students be able to say that someday? I doubt it. School is the glue that holds a community together and creates lifelong bonds.

Although all of us at the reunion went to Admiral King High School, many of us had attended kindergarten at Charleston together as well. Even more of us shared Masson as both our elementary and junior high school. Now all of those schools are gone.

But the memories linger on.

There were a few funny moments for me at the reunion. I really disappointed one of my classmates, who was surprised that I wasn’t a doctor or lawyer and kept going on and on about it. I finally had to tell him that I was sorry to disappoint him, but if he kept talking like that I was either going to have to go home and hit the bottle, or jump off the Bascule Bridge.

Another classmate pointed out that I looked like I was perpetually twelve years old. He meant it as a compliment and I accepted it as one. But it’s easy to look roughly the same when you still have all your hair (grey as it may be), and haven’t grown a beard or handlebar mustache.