The Berlin Heights Basket Sculpture is prominently located at 20 Center Street, in the heart of downtown Berlin Heights, Ohio. This sculpture honors the village's rich history in basket-making, particularly through the legacy of the Berlin Fruit Box Company, established in 1858. The company was the oldest basket-making business in Ohio and the second oldest in the nation, specializing in crafting baskets for local orchards. This sculpture serves as a visual testament to the village's craftsmanship and its historical significance in the basket-making trade.

The Berlin Heights Basket Festival, held annually on the first Friday and Saturday in August, celebrates this heritage with various activities, including contests, pageants, a parade, and live music. The festival draws visitors from near and far, eager to experience the community's deep-rooted connection to basket-making. The basket sculpture stands as a central symbol during the festival, embodying the spirit and history of Berlin Heights.

Visitors to Johnson’s Island often inquire about the number of prisoners buried in the cemetery. There are 206 graves marked with headstones. For many years this was the commonly accepted number. It was derived from a list compiled by the Sandusky Register and published in its May 12, 1890 edition. The exact number and location of the graves is not certain due to deterioration of the original wooden grave markers, as well as inaccurate records and incomplete lists.

However, in recent years, studies have been conducted which indicate there were more burials in the cemetery than the 206 previously mentioned. An Internet site claims there were 216 burials. Unfortunately, neither the author nor the reference sources are identified in the listing. A considerably higher number, 267 burials is recorded on two monuments, which were dedicated in 2003. This larger number includes several graves detected with the use of ground penetrating radar

" A Busy Day on the Vermilion Lagoons" [circa 1938] north facing wall.

In the early 20th century, the low-lying swamp between Linwood Park and the Vermilion River, known as the Vermilion Lagoons, was transformed into a residential community with houses, waterways, and a beach. The land, owned by the Linwood Park Association and Patrick Smith, was sold to Louis Wells, owner of the L.A. Wells Construction Company, in 1928. After considerable planning, dredging began and before the end of 1929, a beach pavilion and the bulkhead around the end of Anchor Way were constructed. Today the Vermilion Lagoons has 160 charming Cape Cod style houses with dockage and is home to the Vermilion Yacht Club, founded in 1933.

Sponsors: Peter & Dana Corogin

Artists: Mike Sekletar & Brian Goodwin

" Liberty Street Looking West" [circa 1904] east facing wall.

Look to the west on Liberty Avenue and imagine a charming, bustling city of 1,200 residents. The principle industries in Vermilion at this time were fishing and tourism. The daily needs of citizens and visitors supported a vigorous economy. The varied businesses included hay and feed supply, a harness maker, two milliners, tailors, boot and shoemakers, a sewing machine store, fraternal lodge, meat market, cigar store, sausage factory, barbers, funeral parlor, drug stores, grocers, saloons, restaurants, bakery, and mayor's office. In the distance you'll see the steeple of the M.E. Church, with the post office next door. Two hotels near the intersection of Liberty and Main served Vermilions visitors, many arriving via the Lake Shore Electric (LSE) Railway. Founded in 1901, it provided rail service along a 60-mile route between Cleveland and Toledo, with stops in Vermilion. The Vermilion Rotary Club chose this image "to depict the rich history the city and to compare it to today's view of the streetscape to yesteryear's. Did you notice the misspelling of "LORAIN" on the front of the train? That was a factory error that lived on for the life of the car.

Sponsors: Vermilion Rotary Club

Artist: Brian Goodwin

Crystal Beach Park, operating from 1907-1962, was Vermilion’s premier lakeside amusement park for over 50 years. Visitors from across Ohio flocked to its merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, dance halls, and ice cream parlors. The park was a hub of music, entertainment, and summer fun, hosting bands like Guy Lombardo and Duke Ellington.

Today, historical markers along Nantucket Drive honor the memories of this vibrant attraction, inviting visitors to imagine the laughter, music, and thrill of Vermilion’s golden era of amusement. This marker is located at the north end of Nantucket Drive, situated on the grounds of the Crystal Shores Apartments. The marker was installed on a pylon that once supported a ride called the "Tumble Bug," which has since been repurposed as a flagpole base.

Main Street Vermilion has featured Crystal Beach Park in its Postcard Project. This initiative includes 15 mural-sized recreations of vintage postcards that highlight Vermilion's rich history and nostalgic scenes. One of these murals specifically depicts the Crystal Beach Ballroom, a central attraction of the former amusement park.

"Fishing: An Afternoon Sport" [circa 1945] Berkley Park, along the eastern corridor of Liberty, adjacent to Drug Mart.

The abundance of lake and river fish were a vital source for the earliest Vermilion inhabitants. Using spears, nets, lines, onshore or onboard, enabled native people and settlers to sustain themselves and their families. As the population grew, fishing evolved into an important commercial industry. Sailboats were used from 1820-1880, then steam tugs with mechanized net pullers took over. Crews harvested white fish, herring, pickerel, and perch which were process fresh or preserved with salt. Commercial fisheries like Kishman, Edson, and Parsons fish companies popped up along the Vermilion River. Eventually commercial fishing declined, but recreational boating and fishing thrived. Today, the vessels that dock in the Vermilion River's 11 marinas are used for recreation, whether racing, sailing, or fishing. If you don't have a boat, don't worry. Whether fishing for food or fun, or a peaceful escape, all you need is a pole, bait, a license, and time.

Sponsors: Vermilion in Bloom

Artist: Brian Goodwin

" Dance Hall at Crystal Beach" [circa 1925] west lawn.

On May 30,1907, Crystal Beach Park opened on 23-acres along the shore of Lake Erie in Vermilion. as the new amusement park flourished, a merry-go-round, shooting gallery, ice cream parlor, boat rental, bowling alley, refreshment stand, water toboggan (from the cliff into the lake), and roller coaster ("The Thriller") were added along with the Rocket Ship, Tumble Bug, and other classic rides. In 1925 the beautiful Dance Hall at Crystal Beach opened on the current site of the Key Bank building. Crowds came from as far as Toledo, Columbus, and Erie, PA to dance to the music of Guy Lombardo, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Prima, Lawrence Welk, and other Big Bands of the era. Summer memories and music continued to be make until the park closed at the end of the season in 1962. The rides, amusements, and most of the buildings were sold so the land could be redeveloped as the Crystal Shores apartment complex. On September 22, 2018 an historic plaque honoring and celebrating the memory of Crystal Beach Park was unveiled.

Sponsors: David & Michaeline Hile

Artist: Mike Sekletar

" Entrance to Linwood Park" [circa 1909]

In 1883, the founders of Linwood Park were on a mission to find a suitable site where they could build a permanent camp meeting ground for their fellow members of the Evangelical Church in Ohio. The search committee was captivated by Linwood Grove, a bucolic picnic grove along the shore of Lake Erie in Vermilion, the ideal spot to find "spiritual uplifting and God's peace". They purchased the land from Nicholas Wagner, then formed the Linwood Park Company "to hold land for the purpose of holding religious meeting on same". The first year, 12 cottages were built. by the end of June, 1884, the superintendent's house, a horse shed, dining hall, Chapel, and the Tabernacle were completed. Several hundred people paid admission to attend the July 4th picnic celebration, arriving via train, wagon, buggy, bicycle, or ferry over the Vermilion River, landing at Linwood's own pier. Today Linwood Park continues as a community of privately-owned cottages. Visitors can purchase daily a Gate Pass, just as they did in 1909. The current gate was built in 2002 to replace the old brick gate built in 1930.

Sponsors: Linwood Cottage Owners Association

Artist: Brian Goodwin

" Wild Hope" mural is located at the intersection of Main and Standard Sts. on the side of the garage that is attached to Lucky Stone Gifts and Promotions

Lynn Kedas Commissioned this mural as a "Thank You" to those supporting her after she lost her husband, Chris and their son, Owen, in 2021.

Artist: Darcy Berardi

"Night View of Liberty Street" [circa 1940] west facing wall.

This charming postcard evokes the mood and memories of a relaxing stroll on a quiet summer evening in Vermilion. The image is a perfect blend of what was and what still is.

Sponsors: Ihor & Marilou Suszko

Artist: Mike Sekletar

"The Original Vermilion Library" [circa 1945] east facing wall.

In 1918, Vermilion's library became official, seating its first board of trustees. This postcard shows the first official library building located on Grand St., north of the railroad tracks. On Dec. 4, 1920, a formal opening was held. Mrs. Shaw donated curtains for the windows and the room was set in order for guests. For a while, space was shared with Rudy Moc Photography.

Sponsor: A Gift from a Generous Patron

Artist: Mike Sekletar

"U.S. Route 6 and 2 Highway Bridge" [circa 1951] under the water tower.

The Vermilion River has been known as such since 1760 as noted in explorer George Croghn's journal. He records that the river was called "Oulame Thepy" by the Native-American tribes. "Thepy" is a native for "river" or "creek" and "Oulame" translates as "paint". The Vermilion River was probably known as "Paint Creek". It is said that local Native-Americans mixed the purplish-red clay from along the river with bright red berry juice to use as paint on their bodies. The first European explorers presumed that the red clay and berry mixture was the same as the highly valuable European commodity 'Vermilion', which became the name of the river and the town that grew up along its shores. The bridge was built in 1928 and rebuilt in 1986. Classified as Parker Truss it is one of the last remaining examples in the state.

Sponsors: Tom & Keleen Hanway

Artist: Mike Sekletar

" Moonlight on the Beautiful Vermilion Lagoons" [circa 1932] south facing wall.

About 60 acres of broad beach and marshland fronted Lake Erie, adjoining the picturesque and navigable Vermilion River. In 1928 this area attracted Louis A. Wells, a Cleveland contractor, who bought the land. He envisioned a community of summer homes, each fronting on the water with dockage at the doorstep. Even in the mist of the Great Depression, Wells was determined to keep his workers and equipment busy, so the marshland was dredged and four lagoons cut eastward from the Vermilion River. By 1931 the beach house and the first home had been built. Although envisioned as a unique community of summer homes, the first year-round residents moved into their new home in April of 1937. During the 1950s most of the residents of the Vermilion Lagoons lived there full time. Today, this unique waterfront neighborhood has over 160 lots, each home in the charming Cape Cod-style, white with black or green roofs and shutters. This mural captures the peaceful, romantic aura of the Lagoons at night and the reflections of the boats and homes in the moonlit water.

Sponsors: Vermilion Lagoons Ladies Club

Artist: Mike Sekletar

" The Tabernacle at Beulah Beach" [circa 1940]

Beulah Beach Camp and Retreat Center in Vermilion has been a place of rest, relaxation, and spiritual renewal along the shore of Lake Erie since 1921. Beulah Beach is affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, which was founded in 1897, not a church, sect or denomination, but rather a movement open to all Christians. Originally, Beulah Beach operated during the summer months. The Tabernacle, was the original open-air barn and meeting shelter. In 1921 it served as the site of the first Bible and Missionary Conference, which has been held every summer since, featuring keynote speakers, musical artists, and international workers. Over the years, Beulah Beach evolved into a year-round camp and retreat center. The Tabernacle was demolished in 2011 to make way for the new Center, a modern facility designed to better meet the needs of the organization's expanded programming and activities. The cornerstone of the new Center was chosen as the location for the historic postcard mural. It is a great way to reconnect with the past.

Sponsors: Beulah Beach Camp & Retreat Center

Artist: Mike Sekletar

"Greetings from Vermilion, Ohio" [ circa 1950] on south wall adjacent to the Grand Division Parking Lot.

The first mural was unveiled to an enthusiastic crowd in Vermilion on Nov. 6, 2019. It features images from several postcards selected for the Public Art Vermilion Postcard Project. This idea was to capture a sense of community and history.

Sponsors: Main Street Vermilion & Public Art Vermilion

Artists: Mike Sekletar & Brian Goodwin

"Original Vermilion Boat Club" [circa 1940]

The Vermilion Boat Club (VBC) has been part of Vermilion culture and landscape for more than a century. It was founded on June 27, 1913, by F.W. Wakefield and Tom Ball, its first commodore. Annual dues were set at $1. The club quickly grew to 50 members. During the early days of the VBC, the members met in a variety of locations around Vermilion. At one point, members met in the Sail Loft depicted in the postcard mural (currently home to Chez Francois restaurant). The nostalgia of the location, the boats, and the cars are reminders of simpler times.

Sponsors: Vermilion Boat Club

Artist: Mike Sekletar

"McGarvey's Restaurant" [circa 1950] east facing wall, along the river.

McGarvey's Restaurant served as a Vermilion landmark starting in 1929. At that time, it was known as Helfrich's, owned and operated by Charles Helfrich. What started as a thriving boat and canoe rental business on the east side of Vermilion River, evolved into a popular eatery featuring hot fish sandwiches. In 1989 McGarvey's was sold to Tony Roma's Place for Ribs, a national chain. The business did not catch on. In 2000 the Vermilion Port Authority bought the property and razed the old restaurant building, heartbreaking to generations of patrons. Today McGarvey's Landing is operated by the Vermilion Port Authority, providing boat dockage, picnic tables, and easy access to all of Vermilion.

Sponsors: Judy Klucas & Lynn Miggins

Artist: Brian Goodwin