When Tides Turn Tour of Vermilion, Part 2
To celebrate the release of When Tides Turn, this week I’m conducting a photo tour of some of the sights in the book.
When choosing a hometown for the Avery family in the Waves of Freedom series, I wanted a small Ohio town on Lake Erie so my future naval officers could learn to love sailing and the water. Vermilion, Ohio prides itself on its nautical heritage—and I had my town. This past summer, my husband and I attended our son’s graduation from Navy boot camp in the Chicago area, and we took a lazy trek across the Midwest—including a full day in Vermilion. What a charming day it was!
Welcome to Vermilion!
In the Waves of Freedom series, the main characters come home to Vermilion for Christmas, arriving at the train depot. This building remains and now serves as a visitor center and art gallery, showcasing the works of local artists. Perhaps Tess’s father’s work would be displayed there—if he weren’t fictional.
Train depot, visitor center, and art gallery, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
Inside the visitor center/art gallery in Vermilion, Ohio, with a sweet Vermilion native!
Liberty Avenue runs through the heart of town parallel to the lake shore, lined with delightful shops, restaurants, and historic buildings.
Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
Hart’s Drug Store was established in Vermilion in 1910 at the corner of Liberty and Main, and served the community for decades. My fictional Lillian Avery came to love the profession of pharmacy through Hart’s. Today it’s Big Ed’s Soda Grill, serving old-fashioned sodas and other fare. A colorful Vermilion mural decorates the side wall.
The former Hart’s Drug Store, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
Mural on the wall of the former Hart’s Drug Store, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
The Ritter Public Library was a fun stop on my tour. The amazing librarians there had scanned 1941 and 1942 issues of The Vermilion News for me, and I was delighted to meet them—and thank them again! Plus, it’s a gorgeous library! I love the boat in the children’s section.
Ritter Public Library, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
Ritter Public Library, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
With librarian Linda at the Ritter Public Library, Vermilion, Ohio (Photo: Sarah Sundin, August 2016)
[…] Tour of Vermilion, Part 2 […]
[…] Tour of Vermilion, Part 2 […]
Love, love, love the library!
I love this post! It is so cool to see pictures of the Averys’ home.
What a pretty little town – love seeing the train station and pharmacy.
The more you share about these places of history, the more I want to road trip it to see!
Would love to travel to this town. Very nice looking
That is a cool library!!
Libraries are such wonderful places. This one looks really fun for the children.
Who knew modern day Vermilion has so many historical features? I especially like the mural on the drug store wall, and of course the library is gorgeous!
Such a cute town. Love the boat in the library!!
Your photos make me want to go back to Vermilion as an adult and see it through different eyes. The highlight when I was there was a large fountain near the lake that had colored lights at night. Wondering if it is still there. Funny what memories stay with us over the years.
Love the tour! Would love to visit there someday!
What a pretty town!!! Thanx for sharing.
Thanks so much for this second part of the Vermilion tour ,Sarah! They have such cool places there,I’m going to have to visit!
Love, love, love! Historical writers really need librarians, and it’s wonderful that you gave them a shout out! Love that boat in the children’s section. Adorable!
[…] Tour of Vermilion, Part 2 […]
Thanks for showing us around. It looks like a nice town!
I love the boat in the children’s section too. It is great looking through these pictures. Ted wants to figure out where Vermilion is since he was born and raised in Ohio.
It’s nice to see a town that still has some original main street buildings.
Love that mural! You can just see the history in the town!