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

Lake Shore Electric Railway

Photographed By Richard N. Tarrant

1. Lake Shore Electric Railway Marker

Inscription. At this site the Lake Shore Electric Railway crossed a bridge that spanned the Vermilion River. The western abutment of the former bridge is plainly visible just below along the river bank. Widely known as the "Greatest Electric Railway" in the United States," the flaming orange trolley cars of the Lake Shore Electric Railway transported people and freight for thirty-seven years (1901-1938) along the southern Lake Erie shores from Cleveland to Toledo often reaching speeds of sixty miles per hour. The interurban line played a primary role in the development of the western Cleveland suburbs and also carried throngs of summer visitors to Lake Erie recreation facilities at Avon Beach Park, Linwood Park, Crystal Beach, Mitiwanga, Ruggles Grove, Rye Beach, and Cedar Point. The power lines still standing along the system's right-of-way attest to the fact that it also assisted in bring electric power to the entire region

Erected 2006 by Vermilion Area Archival Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 25-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.

Location.

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41° 25.285′ N, 82° 21.485′ W. Marker is in Vermilion, Ohio, in Erie County. Marker is on West River Road, 0.2 miles south of Liberty Avenue (U.S. 6). The marker is located beneath a landmark water tower in Rotary Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vermilion OH 44089, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vermilion / Erie County (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Days of Steel Boats (approx. 0.4 miles away); Days of Wooden Ships (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Lighthouse Lens (approx. half a mile away); Vermilion’s Lighthouse (approx. half a mile away); Huron Iron Company Furnace (approx. 2.3 miles away); Lester Allan Pelton (approx. 2.7 miles away); Birmingham School (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vermilion.

More about this marker. The abutment of an old interurban bridge is visible just along the river below the marker. The abutment of an old highway bridge is visible just across the river from the marker. And the current highway bridge is visible from the park in which the marker stands.

Also see . . .
1. Vermilion Views. Page offers photos and stories pertaining to the history of Vermilion, Ohio, as well as additional historical links to the same. This page changes weekly.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 14, 2020

2. Lake Shore Electric Railway Marker

The Lake Shore Electric eastern bridge abutment can be seen to the right of the marker. The bridge in the distance on the left is the highway bridge. The power pole to the left of the marker is on the railroad’s right-of-way.

(Submitted on August 18, 2010, by Richard N. Tarrant of Vermilion, Ohio.)

2. The Lake Shore Electric Railway. Wikipedia article on the Lake Shore Electric Railway. (Submitted on August 19, 2010.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2010, by Richard N. Tarrant of Vermilion, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,266 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on August 18, 2010, by Richard N. Tarrant of Vermilion, Ohio. 2. submitted on May 10, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.