The Amherst Historical Society Newsletter
The Grindstone
September/October 2008
Upcoming Events
Opening of Quigley
Museum & Sandstone
Village
May 4 - Sept. 28
Sunday Only
Tours: 2pm & 3 pm
Native American
Artifact Display
& Sale
Neal Jenne Artwork
Exhibit and Sale
August 17, 2008
8am - 3pm
Sandstone Village
Presented by the
Sandusky Bay Chapter
of the
Archaeological Society
Of Ohio
&
The Amherst Historical
Society
Fundraising Auction!!
August 23, 2008
10:00 a.m.
Sandstone
Village
Milan Avenue
Lunch Available
For Purchase
By
Buckeye BBQ
Items for Auction Include, But Are Not Limited To :
Indian Artifacts, Antique Furniture, Antique Lighting
Fixtures, Fine Paintings & Prints, Glassware. Jewelry,
Collectibles, Old Toys and Much More!
Come And Spend The Day!
Auction proceeds to supplement Village building projects.
Antique and Collectible
Fundraiser Auction
August 23, 2008
10am
Sandstone Village
Dutch Oven Cook-off
September 14, 2008
12pm - 4pm
Sandstone Village
Sponsored by Laurel
Run Cooking School
UNIQUE EVENT!
Native American Artifacts Display and Sale
Presented by
Sandusky Bay Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Ohio
&
Neal Jenne Gallery Artwork Exhibit and Sale
Presented by The Amherst Historical Society
on
at
August 17,2008
Sandstone Village
8a.m. - 3p.m.
Milan Avenue
Food available for purchase catered by MaryAnn Kordeleski
From the President
By Ron Sauer
I need your HELP! I have been trying to gather a large collection of quality items to be
sold at our upcoming auction to be held Saturday, August 23 starting at 10:00 a.m. The goal is
to raise $10,000 to be used toward the many on-going projects at the Amherst Historical
Society Village. With these projects we are looking to bring diversity to our village without
losing a connection to Amherst history.
Our request for items has resulted in a very good response from our membership.
Friends of the historical society have brought in many beautiful and unusual items to be sold at the auction. Also,
we will go through our “attic” here at AHS and see what we can find. One of the more unusual items we have is a
very rare outhouse heater. Now, does that peak your interest? I am sure there will be something for everyone.
If you have an item you would like to donate, please call our office at 440 -988-7255 or call my home at
440-988-8036. We will pick-up any large items. If you don’t have anything to donate but would like to help, come
out on August 23 and bid. Bid high and bid often
Have you had a recent opportunity to visit the village and see the many construction projects in progress?
The newest building located next to the Jenne Art Gallery is the future location of the Firelands Archaeological
Research Center. A group of archeologists led by Dr. Brian Redman of the
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Dr. David Stothers of Toledo University
and Dr. Charles E. Herdendorf, professor emeritus of Ohio State University will be
doing field work in the summer. In the winter the Research Center building right
here at our village will be where this group will clean, catalog and determine the
age of all specimens found.
Prehistory is important because it shows how the Native Americans lived
before our ancestors arrived on this continent. Remember, archeology is not a
renewable resource and we here in Amherst should be proud that we are now
involved with this process.
Very Interesting Stuff
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was for “Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden”…
and thus the word GOLF entered the English language.
In the 1400’s a law mandated that a man was allowed to hit his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.
Hence we have “the rule of thumb”.
Auction
August
23, 2008
10:00 am
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TV’s Bachelor and Bachelorette’s Village Event
On Saturday July 19, Ted and Willy Csincsak along with all
of the Csincsak family and close friends gathered in the
Grange Hall at the Sandstone Village to greet their
famous bachelor son, Jessie, and his soon to be bride,
Bachelorette, DeAnna Pappas.
Pictured with the renown couple are Madeline and Megan,
grandchildren of Ted and Kathy Litkovitz, who happened
to be huge fans of the Bachelorette show and who were
visiting in the village with mom, Rebecca and grandmother, Kathy Litkovitz,
The girls were hesitant to approach the couple for a
picture but later commented that they were both so friendly
saying they didn’t mind at all gathering for a picture.
Madeline
DeAnna
Jessie
Megan
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As
They
Appeared
in
the
Amherst
High School
1916
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History of Amherst
1850 - 1890
Written by Miss Marion Steele. Taken from Amherst Ohio Sesquicentennial 1814 - 1964
The years from 1850 to 1890 were full of activity and interest. The growth of the village was slow but strong.
The population in 1850 was about 1,400 and in 1890 it had increased to about 1,650.
It was not until 1870 that the need for a local government was felt. In 1871 a petition and map for the incorporation of the village was submitted to the Lorain County Commissions. In 1872 a petition for the incorporation
of a village to be known as North Amherst was record with the Lorain County Recorder. A charter was
granted to the village of North Amherst in April, 1873.
From Middendorf’s Amherst, Our Town we read that:
“ The first elected officials of North Amherst were: A. A. Crosse, Mayor; J. W. Gilbert, Clerk,
Joseph Trost, Treasurer; John B. Robertson, Marshal; George Fuller, William Brown,
and John Nathan, Councilmen for one year terms; F.O. Barney, J.H. Clouse, and
James Manning, Councilmen for two years.”
The first mayor of North Amherst was Asahel Allen Crosse, a physician and surgeon. Dr. Cross was born in
Cincinnatus, New York. He left home at the age of thirteen to make his own way. During the next three years
he worked on farms and attended district schools when he was not working on the farm. At the age of sixteen
he began to study medicine at Willoughby University. In 1842 he came to Amherstville with four dollars in his
pocket. He began his practice with Dr. Luman Tenney, a local doctor. When Dr. Tenney died, Dr. Crosse
took over his practice. When he became mayor, he had some difficulty attending meetings of the Village
Council. Needless to say, this annoyed the village Council greatly. However, Dr. Crosse did manage to serve
out his term which ended in in April 1875. In addition, he served his fellow citizens as township assessor,
township clerk, justice of the peace, and postmaster. Dr. Crosse was a man of great personal strength and
courage. During 1858, his right leg was broken at the ankle when he fell from his carriage. The leg bones
were driven into the ground. Despite great pain, Dr. Crosse managed to survive through the accident and the
amputation. He lived out his days in North Amherst in the service of his fellow man.
The first meeting of the village officials was on April 10,1873. This was an organized meeting. Each official
was sworn into office, and each presented his bond for office. The first business meeting of the village
government was held the next night. A committee was selected to choose a proper place for the Mayor’s
office and the Council Chambers. The Clerk was instructed to get a record book and other equipment.
The first village ordinance to be passed was for the construction of a plank storm sewer constructed along
Church Street to the Union School lot. The second ordinance bears out the fact that providing for the needs of
a growing community is a costly affair. Ordinance 2: Be it ordained by the Town Council of North Amherst,
two-thirds of all members concurring: That in view of the present financial embarrassment of the Corporation
the Mayor and Clerk be and are hereby authorized to issue a bond or bonds to the amount of five hundred
($500.00) dollars for six months as a temporary loan for contingent expenses.
The first tax levied by the Village Council, for six mills, was used for the following community improvements:
Streets and Roads
2-5/10 mills
General Purposes
5/10 mills
Reservoir and Fire
6/10 mills
Sewers, Ditches and Drains
5/10 mills
Special Purposes
1-9/10 mills
Early ordinances were passed as the need arose. Some of these ordinances prohibited the destruction of
public property such as the ordinance which prohibited removing stones or dirt from any public street or alley.
Others regulated the actions of people such as the ordinance against fast driving or the ordinance banning
gambling of all sorts.
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Ohio - The Buckeye State
As Ohioans how much do we really know about our state’s symbols and their origins.
Since Ohio's admittance as the seventeenth state within the United States of America in 1803, the Ohio
government has adopted numerous symbols to represent our state. Referring to us as the Buckeye State began
in the 1840’s when Ohio resident William Henry Harrison won the presidency. Harrison’s supporters carved
campaign souvenirs out of buckeye wood to illustrate their support for their fellow Ohioan...and the reference
“Buckeyes” was born.
State Motto - “ With God All Things Are Possible”
Our state motto has a most interesting origin. During the early 1950s, the Ohio legislature sponsored a contest for
selecting a state motto. "With God All Things Are Possible" became Ohio's state motto on October 1, 1959. James
Mastronardo, a twelve-year-old boy recommended this quotation from the Bible.
In 1997, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a suit against Ohio and its state motto, claiming that this phrase
from the Bible violated the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom
and a separation of church and state. Various federal courts sided with Ohio, allowing the state to retain the motto.
Judges ruled that Ohio's motto does not endorse a specific God and, thus, was not a violation of the First Amendment. Ohio is one of five states with the word "God" in their mottos.
State Flower - Red Carnation
So fitting for our state flower to be in remembrance of a fallen president. Ohio adopted its official state
flower, the red carnation, in 1904. The state legislature chose the red carnation to honor President
William McKinley, an Ohioan, who was assassinated in 1901. McKinley liked to wear red carnations
stuck in his buttonhole on the lapel of his jacket.
State Bird - The Cardinal
In 1933, the Ohio General Assembly made the cardinal Ohio's state bird. When Europeans first
arrived in Ohio during the late 1600s and the early 1700s, cardinals were very rare to the area.
At that time Ohio was 95% forested with very little appropriate habitat for cardinals but as the
forests were cleared, the habitat became more suitable for cardinals. During this period, some
people trapped cardinals and sold them to people as pets. Today, cardinals live in all of Ohio's
eighty-eight counties and can be found in both rural and urban settings.
State Beverage - Tomato Juice
Unusual but true: In 1965, the Ohio General Assembly made tomato juice Ohio's official beverage. Adoption of an
official beverage coincided with the Tomato Festival held in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. In 1870, Reynoldsburg resident
Alexander Livingston began to grow tomatoes commercially. He is famous for developing the Paragon Tomato.
The Tomato Festival, which occurs every year, honors Livingston and the tomato's importance to Ohio's economy.
Upcoming issues will describe additional state symbols, the uniqueness of Ohio’s flag and early history of our
state.
Reference: Ohio History Central: symbols
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35th Olde Time Jamboree
If you weren’t at the Jamboree this year, you were probably the only one in town that
was not. In the words of Terry Traster it was “the best Jamboree ever”. We had a record setting attendance this year, and I have to say, that it is thanks to the best committee ever. As chairman I was very fortunate to have the “A-Team” to work with, which
included Donna Rumpler, Terry Traster, Bob and Martha Pallante. Ruth Haff, John
(Shorty) Dietrich, Ron Sauer, Donita Abraham, Gerri Rice, Marie Robertson and Lilly
Krebs. The Jamboree would have not been the success it was without this group of wonderful volunteers.
Although we couldn’t have the “Amherst Super Star” singing contest and the Amherst
Community Singers due to the thunderstorms all of our other entertainment went on as
planned. Ruth Haff did another fantastic job lining up the musical entertainment. Let’s
hope the “Naked Monkeys” can make it back next year.
Once again the “Rocket Ship Car” ride provided great fun for young and old alike. This
year we added the “Thriller Car”, which is also a Euclid Beach ride, and Saturday night
they were giving rides right up to the close of the Jamboree at 11 P.M. For the younger
set we had the carrousel and swing ride, the climbing wall and other assorted inflatable's,
as well as the children’s games.
I also think we had a great variety of food and display vendors which really help to
draw good crowds. Our very own “Amherst Historical Society” Booth, I’m sure you will
all agree was the best ever. The biggest hit was the “Baskets” that were raffled off
and special acknowledgment to the Amherst Giant Eagle, Pat Catan, Cooper Foster
Park Subway, Route 58 Convenient Foods, downtown Amherst, The Mermaid’s Tale,
Park Avenue Salon, Church Street Bar & Grill and The Amherst Historical Society for
their welcomed donations. Noteworthy thanks to Rebecca Wisniewski, Mary Kay
Independent Sales Director, and Pam Faragher, Longaberger consultant, for their generous donations.
Of course, it goes without saying, that another HUGE contributor to the
success of the Jamboree this year was Terry Traster. The layout of the
park for vendors, etc., that he designed really made it easier to negotiate
around the park and lent itself well to the larger crowd. And, of course, a
big thanks to Gerri Rice for another fantastic Jamboree parade. Nobody
could do it better.
And my last thank you goes to all you wonderful AHS members and volunteers who help in so many
countless ways, I want you to know that I appreciate each and every one of you.
“Thanks for the memories!”
Kathy Litkovitz, Jamboree Chairman
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Pictures courtesy of Tim Branscum
The Clothes Line
Clothes Line Poem
The clothes line...a dead give away. Do kids today even
know what a clothes line is? For all of us a bit older, this
will bring back the memories.
A clothes line was a news forecast to neighbors passing
by. There were no secrets you could keep when clothes
were hung to dry.
1. You had to wash the clothes line before hanging
any clothes. Walk the length of each line with a
damp cloth around the line.
It also was a friendly link for neighbors always knew,
If company had stopped by to spend a night or two.
2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order and
always hang whites with whites and hang first
For then you’d see the fancy sheets and towels upon
the line; You’d see the company table cloths with
intricate design.
3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders, always by
the tail. What would the neighbors think?
4. Wash day on Monday. Never hang clothes on the
weekend or Sunday for heaven’s sake!
5
Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so
you could hide your “unmentionables” in the middle.
6. It didn’t matter if it was sub zero weather.. clothes
would “freeze dry.”
7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down
dry clothes. Pins left on the line was “tacky.”
8, If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so
that each item did not need two clothes pins, but
shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed
item.
9. Clothes off by dinner time, neatly folded in the
clothes basket and ready to be ironed.
10. IRONED? Well, that’s a whole other subject!
The line announced a baby’s birth to folks who lived
inside. As brand new infant clothes were hung so
carefully with pride.
The ages of the children could so readily be known.
By watching how the sizes changed; You’d know how
much they'd grown.
It also told when illness struck, as extra sheets were
hung; Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It said, “Gone on vacation now” when lines hung limp
and bare. It told, “We’re back” when full lines sagged
with not an inch to spare.
New folks in town were scorned upon if wash was dingy
gray, As neighbors carefully raised their brow and
looked the other way.
But clotheslines now are of the past, for dryers make
work less. Now what goes on inside a home is anybody’s guess.
I really miss that way of life. It was a friendly sign.
When neighbors knew each other’s best by what hung
on the line!
.
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The Empire Theater
The Empire Theater was owned by Mr. McGee.
It was later named the Mary Jane and then the
Amherst, situated just south of the Chatterbox.
The man on the right was Mr. Nugent, the manager. Woman to his right is Mrs. Emery Redman
(nee Schultz), Don’s mother. She was employed
by Mr. Nugent to play music during the silent
movies. The movie to be shown was “Aunty’s
Romantic Adventure” starring Pearl White of
Perils of Pauline fame. The studio was Crystal
Universal, probably predecessor of University
Studio. The year would have been between
1913 and 1920.
Photo and narrative courtesy of Mr. Don Redman.
Stan Reichert’s Restaurant
249 Church Street
Photo circa 1950 - 1955
Empire Theatre 253 Church Street 1912
Theater patrons unidentified
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Amherst Movie
253 Church Street
Milad’s Service
269 Church Street
Linden Oldsmobile
283 Church St
Genealogy Corner # 20
by Orville Manes
A genealogy for the George Zilch Family has been added to the Amherst Historical Society
library.
John Holzhauer Family
John Holzhauer was born in 1810 in Weiterode, Hessen, Kassel, Germany and died January 15, 1900
possibly in Black River Township, Lorain County, Ohio. John was an orphan and immigrated to America in
1827. He married Anna Katherine Heidenreich, July 9, 1844 in Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio. Anna was the
daughter of John Heidenreich and Anna (Hilt) Heidenreich. Anna Katherine was born June 14, 1823 in
Hessen, Kassel, Germany and died December 27, 1862 in Lorain County, Ohio.
The children of John and Anna Katherine were: Adam Holzhauer (1846), Charles
Frederick Holzhauer (1848), Mary Ann Holzhauer (1850), Anna Elizabeth Holzhauer
(1852), Catherine Holzhauer (1845), Martha Holzhauer (1857), Sophia C. Holzhauer
(1858) and John Casper Holzhauer (1859).
John Casper Holzhauer was born in Black River Township, Lorain County, Ohio and
died December 6, 1916 at his home on North Main Street, Amherst, Ohio. John
Casper married Ellen Martin in 1884, daughter of George Martin and Elizabeth Ruth.
Ellen was born February 1865 in Amherst Township, Lorain County, Ohio. Her
family lived on Middle Ridge Road. Ellen died March 1946 in Shield Rest Clinic,
Lorain. Four children were born to this union between John Casper and Ellen – a
son, Newton John and three daughters, Edith L., Ruth and Mildred.
Pictured Ruth and Newton Holzhauer.
These photos capture some of the beautiful stonework that has been erected at the Amherst Sandstone Village.
Terry Traster, Construction Supervisor, along with assistants, Red Branscum and Jeff Henry have been able to
recreate the lost art of building with stone.
Victorian Gardens
Entry Way to Gardens
Octagonal Barn and the retaining wall
Pictures courtesy of Tim Branscum
Lorain National Bank
1175 Cleveland Ave.
Amherst, OH 44001
“See Judy Butchko, Branch Manager
For all your financial needs.”
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LorMet Credit Union
2051 Cooper Foster Park Rd.
Amherst, Ohio 44001
“Local Community Banking at it’s best.”
T H E A MH E R S T H I S T O R IC A L SO C I E T Y
1 1 3 SO U T H L A K E S T RE E T
AMHERST, OH 44001
P H O N E : 4 4 0 -9 8 8 -7 2 5 5
F A X : 4 4 0 - 9 8 8 -2 9 5 1
E M A IL :
A M H E R S T H I S T O R Y@ C E N T U R Y T E L . N E T
WEB:
W W W . A M H E R ST H I ST O RI C A L SO C IE T Y . O R G
Non -Profit Org
U.S. Postage
Paid
Amherst, OH
Permit No. 4
T H E A MH E R S T H I S T O R IC A L SO C I E T Y
B O A RD O F T R U ST E E S
Donita Abraham
Martha Pallante
John Dietrich
Dick Rice
W. Zack Dolyk, Esquire
Ron Sauer
Ruth Haff
Neal Jenne
Kathy Litkovitz
Lilly Krebs
address
Kent Sutton
Dr. Eric Stocker
Bernie Wagner-Doane
Grindstone compiled and edited by Bob & Martha Pallante
Dutch Oven Cook-off
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Hosted at The Amherst Sandstone Village
And sponsored by
Laurel Run Cooking School
&
DePalma Insurance and Financial Services, Inc
The Dutch Oven Cooking begins at 12:00 p.m.; judging at 4 p.m. and winners announced at 6pm.
You will watch teams prepare a variety of foods cooked in the outdoor Camp Dutch Oven using the
fire and coals as the only heat source. Teams will compete by entering one or all of the four
categories: Bread, Dessert, Main Dish, Cook’s Choice.
A team of three experienced Food Judges will award a winner in each category.
Admission is free.
Watch your local papers for additional events which will be held in conjunction with the cook-off.
For more information or to enter call Marcia DePalma at (440)315-7910.
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