Vermilion Ohio Captains Homes

Vermilion was once known as the "Village of Lake Captains," and no other place in Ohio has so many captains' homes in its historic district. Vermilion was initially settled in the early 19th century and formed as a village in 1837. In 1840, the U.S. Corps of Engineers finished building the two piers at the mouth of the Vermilion River which provided the depth builders needed to take boats into the lake. Thus began the "Golden Age of Ship Building" on the river, in tune with great demand for shipping on the lakes. In a period of 36 years, 48 large lake schooners were built. Lumber, fish, sandstone, iron, and lime were major commodities at the time. The Captains of these vessels made Vermilion their choice as a homeport.

Vermilion Ohio Walking Tour of Captains' Homes

1. Captain Mattison House, 538 Main Street, built 1920. Craftsman style.

2. Captain Thompson House, 485 Main Street, built in 1830. Remodeled Greek Revival style.

3. Captain J.C. Gilchrist House, also known as Lakeside Inn, presently a Bed & Breakfast, 5664 Huron Street, built in 1885. Italianate style.

4. Captain Alva Bradley House, 5679 Huron Street, built in 1848. The Captain was a good friend of Thomas Alva Edison. Greek Revival style.

5. Captain Charles Horton House, 5664 Ferry Street, built circa 1869. Gothic Revival style.

6. Captain Bell House, 5760 Liberty Avenue, built circa 1870. Italianate style.

7. Captain Rae House, 690 Decatur Street, circa 1870. Italianate style.

8. Captain William Young House, currently a Bed & Breakfast, 5815 Ohio Street, SW corner of Ohio and Decatur, circa 1860. Transitional Greek Revival style.

9. Captain Alva Bradley Second House, 751 Decatur Street, circa 1870. Stick Built.

10. Captain Meyer House, 756 Perry Street, NW Corner of Perry and Ohio, master of the ill-fated “Western Reserve” which sank taking the lives of many Vermilion families. Built in 1880. Italianate style.

11. Captain Weeks House, 5676 Ohio Street, circa 1880. Queen Anne style.

12. Captain Minch House, 743 Grand Street, NE Corner of Grand and Ohio. Captain Minch was the owner of the ship “Western Reserve”. House built in 1857. Late Greek Revival with Italianate influence.

13. Captain Gilchrist, Sr. House, 5583 Ohio Street, SE corner of Ohio and Grand. This captain was the Master of the “W.H. Gilchrist” about which many stories were written. Built in 1875. One of Vermilion’s few older brick buildings. Italianate style.