[EXPLORE] Vermilion River Reservation and Beach

Today after all of the snow fell the sun finally came out. I decided to grab a few shots of the Main Street Beach in Vermilion and also the Vermilion River Reservation. I also brought a furry friend.

Main Street Beach

Light post in front of the old maritime museum.

The Vermilion Lighthouse.

Summertime for comparison.

"Where to next, Dad?"

Vermilion River Reservation

The Vermilion River Reservation is Lorain County's first Metro Park. It was donated in 1957 by a cousin of the original owner who inherited the property. It is separated into two parts, divided by the Vermilion River. One side is called Mill Hollow and the other is known as Bacon Woods (sounds like something out of the meat lover's version of Candyland, huh?). 

In 1817 Benjamin Bacon (not relation to the meat) settled at the top of the Vermilion River Valley and began to farm the land below by the river. He also put up numerous mills along the river. Eventually he built a new house down by the river. Benjamin Bacon was also one of Lorain County's first Commissioners. He died in 1868 and sold the farmland next to the river to a German immigrant named John Heymann. Later on the land was sold back to the Bacon family. Benjamin's oldest son Frederick took over the land. In 1901 the mills were dismantled because they were no longer profitable. (Lorain County Metro Parks)

Mill Hollow

Mill Hollow side of the park. The Bacon House in the background.

A better view of the house.

Where they put the bodies?

Couple of different tracks in the snow.

The Vermilion River.

Close up of the cliff. It is made of Shale, a frail rock we talked about in the Peasley post. It is always falling into the river.

The old bridge that crosses to the other side of the river.

To Bacon Woods!

Bacon Woods

I used to sled down this hill as a kid all the time.

"No horseplay".

I spotted this miniature deer licking a tree.

Amphitheater. This is used in the Summer months for local bands.

Heading back to the car.

Thus ends our snowy journey and small history lesson. I hope you enjoyed something in this post.

Thanks for reading!