VOL Clubhouse/Diagonal Crossing (Vermilion Part 1)

Vermilion is a special town, and yes I am biased. I grew up on the outskirts of Vermilion and it is currently one of my favorite bike riding destinations, probably due to my strange obsession with the lake. So here is the first part of a two part (possibly three part) post about this "Small Town on a Great Lake".

23.91 Miles (Google Maps)

The Vermilion-on-the-Lake Clubhouse

The first stop on my ride is the Vermilion-on-the-Lake Clubhouse, which is located just East of downtown Vermilion.

VOL Clubhouse 2014

VOL Clubhouse soon after being built in 1919

In 1919 a group of investors from Cleveland bought this property and used the trees that were cut down to build the clubhouse. Before the depression the hall was a frequent retreat for the well-to-do residents of the area to come and dance to their favorite big band music under the glittering globe that is still present today.

Side shot of the building in 2014

Another major component of the Clubhouse was the beach that resided behind it. Unfortunately that beach has long since been eroded away and now the building sits at the edge of the cliff that drops into Lake Erie.

A photograph of the beach and the clubhouse from the 1920's. (Vermilion-on-the-Lake)

Postcard of the beach in the 1920's. You can see the clubhouse on the right. (Card Cow)

Similar angle as above taken in 2013. As you can see the beach is completely gone and the patio has been closed in. (Rona Proudfoot)

After the beach was gone the clubhouse lost a lot of its former luster and faded into history. Since 1967 the building has been switching hands in an attempt to rejuvenate the property. The building is now known as the "Historic Community Center" and is slowly being restored (completely by volunteers). The building is able to remain due to the money raised from hosting events, including wedding receptions.

As you can see, the inside is all original and still has a little bit of magic left in it.

It also has a sprinkler system ;). Yes, that is my wife and I at our wedding reception in this very building.

Lake Shore Electric Crossing

Just West on Liberty Avenue, also known as Lake Road there is a bridge that most people in the area refer to as Vermilion-on-the-Lake Bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1938, but most people do not know the reason why.

Vermilion-on-the-Lake Bridge 2014.

Picture of the same road minus the bridge in the early 1900's. (Dennis Lamont)

As you can see by the old picture of Liberty Avenue before the bridge, this was a very dangerous intersection. Both the Nickelplate Railroad and the Lake Shore Electric Railway crossed over at this location, but at odd angles, causing a major blind spot and giving it the nickname "The Diagonal Crossing". This was also at a time in history before railroad crossing gates. There were many accidents that occurred at this crossing, but it wasn't until 3 people were killed in 1926 when their automobile was struck by an interurban train car that action began to take place. While the government was attempting to figure out the best course of action warning signals were put into place. (Lake Shore Rail Maps)

Same crossing with the warning flashers. (Karel Liebenauer)

Finally in 1937 construction was started on the bridge that currently stands today. Unfortunately by the time the bridge was completed the LSE was already bankrupt and closed down. Now it is used to bypass only the Nickelplate Tracks.

Some of the last LSE cars running in 1937 while the overpass is being constructed in the background. (Dennis Lamont)

Last remaining LSE right of way electric pole. It is not connected to anything anymore. Those are the Nickelplate Railroad Tracks in the background. This picture was taken from on top of the bridge.

Well, I hope you enjoyed part one of the Vermilion ride, stay tuned for part two and possibly part three if I feel like part two is too long. Thanks for reading!