HISTORY BLOG

HISTORIC BITS & PIECES ……
THE EAGLE TREE FALLS (1863) “Every one remembers the grand old monarch that formerly stood near the center of the Island. The pride of the neighborhood, the wonder of visitors, and the trysting place of young people who came in from the county. The following interesting sketch, in memory of the good old tree, is taken from our exchanges. The Eagle Tree is one of the things past, for it now no longer towers above its neighbors but lies low upon the ground.”
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 1888 – Official returns for the Presidential election for the island: Cleveland and Thurman-147; Harrison and Morton-141…The Republicans had their final ‘blow out’ on last Wednesday evening. The Harrison and Morton Club had a grand torch light procession, about 90 being in line.
STONE FENCES date back to 1856 – So what is the story about those walls that snake across the Island, looking like historic beasts?
THE HORSE CALLED OLD KATE 1873 – She was the horse that pulled the ice wagon in the summer, but she had a voracious appetite as this story shows.
THE HAY SCALES – It’s November 1861, the hay has been harvested, winter is coming, now what? Mrs. Brindle deserves the best so “give her good honest living for her milk and butter by getting, as soon as possible, a good load of hay as is this hay.”

ISLAND PLACES ……
THE TITUS ROAD STATUE OF MARY – It seems like every few years, there is a flood of questions about the statue of Mary located on Titus Road. Rumors abound! One person heard it was created in honor of Island fishermen – a fisherman’s shrine if you will. Another was sure it was a memorial to a young couple who died in a car accident at the spot on their wedding day.  These, and the others, are all quite romantic, but unfortunately, not true.
QUARRIES – THE N. SIDE CRUSHER BUILDING – Here is a little history about this building and the new historic marker that was erected in 2024.
THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ISLAND LOAFERS – The year, 1862, was the year that an ‘institution’ was officially born on the Island. Originally, the island store did not have a name; it was simply called the Store across from the hay scales, the Store on the Corner, or the Fat Man’s store. However, with the birth of the Independent Order of Island Loafers, the Store became their meeting place; their ‘Lodge.’
SCHARDT’S ISLAND HOUSE HOTEL & PARTY ROOMS – George Schardt bought the Island House lot in 1892. The lot had been vacant since 1877 when the 102 room Island House Hotel caught fire and burned to the ground. The new building was 50×100 feet and two stories high and resembled the Johnson’s Island pavilion.
THE LIBRARY – AN EARLY REPORT (1867) – Part 3 – This small Island community was rarely without some type of library. In 1867 the Young People’s Association received from the family of the late Datus Kelley a valuable donation of books. The Young People’s Association would take the library under their management. 
THE ISLAND LIBRARY & WORKS OF GOOD DEEDS – Part 2 – 1877 – An update on the library situation. “Although our Library has been out of sight before the last year, it has not been out of the minds of 39 persons, 20 ladies and 19 gentlemen, who have drawn books.”
OUR ISLAND LIBRARY DATES BACK TO 1864 – Part 1 – Newcomers to the island take our “new” library, dedicated in 2000, for granted, but library services have a long history on the island. The Kelley’s Island Library Association was organized on February 21, 1864 under the direction of M. K. Holbrook and E. C. Barnard. The Library was kept at Kelley’s Hall for 13 years, then moved to the Congregational Church.
TRIESCHMAN’S MEAT MARKET 1871 – Now the Island Market – this building was once part of the Store on the Corner and houses a Reading Room, a shoe repair store and a barber shop. Read how the market first came to serve the Islanders.

ISLAND HOLIDAYS ……

HALLOWEEN 1869 – “The last evening in October is supposed to be the favorite time for Fairies, mischief-making beings, &c., to be about… Quite a number of leading spirits, still in the flesh, assembled at West Point to ‘pull the rail,’ ‘burn the nuts,’ and several other tricks said to be legitimate business on that night.”
HALLOWEEN 1868 – There were many traditions celebrated on Halloween. Most were of Celtic, Scottish or English origins and reflected the heritage of Island residents. Read how the Island ladies celebrated.
VALENTINE’S DAY IN THE 1860s – The first mention of Valentines appeared in The Islander in 1861. “St. Valentines Day passed off very briskly. We learn that 50 Valentines pass through the Post Office on that day…”
NEW YEARS 1867 – There was dancing at Kelley’s Hall, supper at midnight, and breakfast served up between 3 and 4 in the morning, sponsored by the Catholic church.
JULY 1873 – This is the Island in July. “Gentlemen having families here can take the Cleveland boat in the evening and have a good night’s rest and be back early in the morning; and can leave Cleveland at evening and be here by one o’clock.”
JULY 4 1872 & 1874 – See how Islanders celebrated the Fourth of July. “The glorious Fourth of July 1874 is past, and those who survived the perils of the day without burnt fingers or accidents may rejoice over the good time they had burning powder and making a noise…”
MEMORIAL DAY 1870 – Rev. Holbrook delivered the Decoration Day address at Kelley’s Hall, and a procession of carriages travelled to the cemetery. Six soldiers are buried in the cemetery and were honored, the ladies formed wreaths and bouquets.
CHRISTMAS DAY FOR THE SOLDIERS – 1862 – Island soldiers, far from home, celebrated a different type of Christmas. Simon Huntington describes the day from the 101st near Nashville Tenn.
CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND 1862 – The Civil War continues and the community tries to celebrate a somewhat normal Christmas. The Lodge takes an active part.
THANKSGIVING OVER THE YEARS – Islanders celebrated Thanksgiving much like we do today. Through articles, diary entries, weather reports and personal accounts, we can experience Thanksgiving through their words. From its earliest days (1840s) to 1892, read how they joined together on this day. Did you know that on November 23, 1880 – The whole head of the lake to the Bass Islands is full of ice. Over 60 vessels are frozen in.”

LEISURE ACTIVITIES ……
CHECKERS ON THE BRAIN 1869 PART 2 – The first mention of Checkers occurred in 1869. The games took place at The Lodge, “At the present Lodge room, no rent has to be paid, wood bills and lights furnished gratis, saying nothing of tobacco and other things too numerous to mention” This led to complaints about the ongoing games of checkers and the impact on sales at the store, and the nuisance it generated.
1869 – CHECKERS ON THE BRAIN PART 1 – The game board was set up at The Lodge and the lodge members took the game very seriously. The Lodge was the home of the Independent Order of Island Loafers.
BASE BALL PART 1 – BASE BALL FEVER – 1869 – This is one of the first references to baseball on Kelley’s Island. While organized baseball had been around for several years, 1869 marked the first year that a recognized all-professional baseball team took the field. An Ohio team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was the first team to be openly paid a salary. They closed the 1869 season with a record 65 wins and no losses.
BASEBALL PART 2 – BASE BALL RULES OF 1860, CUSTOMS & A POEM – It was noted that the old rules of base ball were quite different than today’s rules, but many of the Customs remained the same. These Rules and Customs came from the Rules and Regulations of the Game of Base Ball Adopted by the National Association of Base-Ball Players March 14, 1860
PART 3 – BASE BALL: A WOMAN’S VIEW – While the men so enthusiastically gained proficiency in the sport, one woman offered the other side of the base ball issue. “We would like to know what benefit has been derived from base ball so far….”

THE ISLAND SCHOOLS ……
GRAPE HARVEST TO CLOSE KELLEYS ISLAND SCHOOL – October 1950, 58 pupils get the week off to help harvest grapes.
JAMES ESTES & THE KELLEYS ISLAND SCHOOL – His death made our school possible.
BUT
THE CONTROVERSARY SURROUNDING THE SCHOOL BUILDING – It wasn’t smooth sailing to get this school built.

COURT CASES ……
KELLEYS ISLANDERS ARRESTED FOR STILL – Sept. 16, 1934 – John Ditchey (80 years old) and William Becker arrested during the island’s centennial celebration Labor Day. George Bier and Vern Huber awaiting trial.
ANIMALS CANNOT BLOCK THE STREETS – Not exactly a court case, but the Village did pass an ordinance that makes for interesting reading.
A MOST UNUSUAL COURT CASE – October 1877 – When you can find them, the Justice of the Peace dockets are a fun read that expose scandals, larceny, drunken brawls and sometimes paternity as this entry by Alfred S. Kelley, Justice of the Peace, shows. Civil Case No. 9 – Sarah O’Neill vs. Wm. Maher, October 1877
OCTOBER 1867 – OPERATING A SALOON & SELLING INTOXICATING LIQUORS – In May, John Reinheimer was accused of selling liquor to minors. This was followed by complaints of vandalism against Wm. Robinson; the first of several cases involving the Robinsons and the Reinheimers, as well as a charge of Assault & Battery. The Island had several Justice of the Peace officers and their dockets are a treat to read.

PEOPLE ……
IN CELEBRATION OF MOTHERS DAY – ‘Did you ever think of the amount of thought requisite to plan three meals a day for 365 days in succession? To prepare enough and not too much, and for those living at a distance from the village, to remember that the stock of flour, sugar, tea, etc., is replenished in due time. Do you ever think of the multitude of her cares and duties?’ Discover what comprised a woman’s workday in 1867.

SIMON HUNTINGTON FATALLY WOUNDED AT STONES RIVER – Simon was wounded on December 31, 1862 and wrote of his injuries and hopes for recovery. Brother Erastus was at his side while his mother, Emeline tried mightily to reach her dying son. Simon and Erastus wrote about their time in the hospital. Died on February 9, 1863.

ISLAND NEWSPAPERS ……
This community has a rich history of sharing its news. Besides writing letters to the Sandusky Register, they also published their own newspapers, with many driven by the school students.
THE EARLY YEARS – The Islander is the newspaper that started it all. It was published for a remarkable 17 years, during each winter (1860-1877), then came the Erie Echo (1924-1931), followed by The KiHi News (1936-1937) and finally, The Islander II (1937-1938).
THE 50s, 60s, 70s, & 80s – The Kellegian, School Spirit and the Home Town News.
THE 80s & 90s: Seascape, the Perchie Press, and the Island Scene.
LIFE ON KELLEYS (THE EMERALD ISLE NEWS), KELLEYS LIFE & THE PUT-IN-BAY GAZETTE – As we look forward to the first edition of the new newspaper Life on Kelleys – the Emerald Isle News.

ISLANDERS & THE CIVIL WAR ……
SIMON HUNTINGTON FATALLY WOUNDED AT STONES RIVER – Simon was wounded on December 31, 1862 and wrote of his injuries and hopes for recovery. Brother Erastus was at his side while his mother, Emeline tried mightily to reach her dying son. Simon and Erastus wrote about their time in the hospital. Died on February 9, 1863.
CHRISTMAS DAY FOR THE SOLDIERS – 1862 – Island soldiers, far from home, celebrated a different type of Christmas. Simon Huntington describes the day from the 101st near Nashville Tenn.

ISLAND HEALTH ……
A DESPERATE CASE OF DIPHTHERIA ON THE ISLAND – January 1921 – Mrs. Hauser (nurse) traveled with Fred Martin Jr., Alex Betzenheimer, & Fred Hauser to care for Frank Brown, a 3-year old child suffering from Diphtheria.
THE 1920 INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC – During the influenza epidemic of 1920, this incredibly detailed study was done on the Island. It was the perfect place since it was isolated in the winter with minimal exposure, making it easy to trace origins and transmittal rates. There are loads of charts and graphs and the goal of interviewing everyone on the Island was fully accomplished. In all, 53% of the population contracted influenza and two died.

THE ISLAND CEMETERY ……
PART 1 – IT’S 1854 AND OUR ISLAND CEMETERY IS ESTABLISHED – This is the history of our Island cemetery, which is quite old. It is a source of meditation, interest, research and an occasional lawsuit. And, it looks really different than what was originally planned.
PART 2 – THE EARLIEST BURIALS – John McDonald, Lydia (Estes) Norris, Lydia Kelley, Carro & Charlie True, William Cagney, Charles Reid, Thomas Quinn, Mary Morgan and George Clement. Many of these were children who died of Dysentery.

THE ISLAND’S HISTORY MUSEUM ……
KELLEYS ISLAND’S NEW HISTORY MUSEUM OFFICIALLY OPENS JUNE 26, 2010. You can’t imagine how much the museum has changed.
THE HISTORY MUSEUM – Cornerstones, logos and signs. See how KIHA has evolved and what the heck is The Past Is Prologue?