Vermilion in Erie County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frederick William Wakefield

1863 - 1934

⎯⎯⎯
Harbor View

1909 - 2021

Frederick William Wakefield 1863 - 1934 side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 6, 2026

1. Frederick William Wakefield 1863 - 1934 side of marker

Inscription. Frederick William Wakefield
1863 - 1934 Inventor, Industrialist, Yachtsman, Commodore, Councilman, 2-term Mayor of Vermilion. Successful, influential, progressive citizen.

Born in Birmingham, England. Immigrated at age 12 to Cleveland, OH.

In 1905, moved family to Vermilion, OH. Founded The F.W. Wakefield Brass Company, a significant employer of lighting fixtures known worldwide. 1st Wife - Caroline Miller d. 1893. Daughter: Clara Mabel. 2nd Wife-Mary Poley. Children: Albert Frederick, Alice May, William Ralph, Ruth Marion, Frederick Wright, George Patterson, Theodore Dunmore, Ernest Henry.

Harbor View
1909 - 2021 1909 mansion built on this site by Frederick W. & Mary P. Wakefield. Red clay tile roof, 14" thick concrete & stucco walls made from stones & sand from his beach. 4,375 sf, 12' ceilings, grand birch wood-work, maid quarters, finished attic & basement, 2 fireplaces, large porches for lake breezes.

In 1953, donated by family for a maritime museum. Demolished in 2021 due to lack of maintenance.

Erected 2025 by Descendants of Fw Wakefield.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location.

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41° 25.472′ N, 82° 21.971′ W. Marker is in Vermilion, Ohio, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Huron Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400-468 Main St, Vermilion OH 44089, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lighthouse Lens (a few steps from this marker); Vermilion’s Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Holland-Bond Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7576 Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Simon Kenton (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Days of Steel Boats (approx. 0.2 miles away); Days of Wooden Ships (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Brief History... (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vermilion Community Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vermilion.

Harbor View 1909 - 2021 side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 6, 2026

2. Harbor View 1909 - 2021 side of marker

Frederick William Wakefield 1863 - 1934 / Harbor View 1909 - 2021 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 6, 2026

3. Frederick William Wakefield 1863 - 1934 / Harbor View 1909 - 2021 Marker

Island Seas Maritime Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 19, 2020

4. Island Seas Maritime Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Frederick William Wakefield

1863 - 1934

⎯⎯⎯Harbor View

1909 - 2021

⎯⎯⎯
Harbor View