The annual meeting of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology was called to order by President William Barrow at 1:00PM on Sunday December 6, 2009.
Treasurer Ronald Petrie reported that we currently have a balance of $1276 in our checking account. The only major expense this year was for our fall picnic.
Secretary Stephen Titchenal reviewed the events of the past year. In April, Frank Wrenick discussed the history of automobile production in Cleveland at a luncheon at the Flat Iron Cafe. In July, we toured the W.S. Tyler Complex on the near east side of Cleveland and visited NOCSIA member, Aaron Goglin’s “A Piece of Cleveland” business. In October, we had a picnic lunch and toured the Cleveland Metroparks Canalway Center industrial sites and interpretative displays.
At the SIA national conference in Pittsburgh in June, past NOCSIA President, Carol Poh received the SIA’s highest honor, the “General Tools Award” for her many years of active involvement at the local and national levels. Also, NOCISA member, William Vermes was elected to the SIA Board this year.
Two events have already been planned for 2010. On February 28, videographer, Valda Lewis will talk about her documentary “Devil’s Oven: The fire in the heart of the little cities of black diamonds” after a viewing of it. The documentary deals with the mining industry in southeastern Ohio and its impact on communities today. The showing is planned for 2:00 PM at the Cleveland Heights – University Heights main library on Lee Road.
In late March or early April we will tour the production facilities of the Empire Plow Company on East 65th Street. Empire Plow has been in business since 1840, and at their current location since the 1890’s. We are planning a mid-week afternoon tour so you can see the plant in operation.
After the meeting was adjourned, Roy Larick discussed the early history of quarrying on the east side of Cleveland. He used a variety of Google Earth overlays to illustrate the geology and early settlement of the area. Steve Titchenal showed how the digital elevation models and historic map overlays can be accessed for further exploration.
Lynn Richardson talked about the efforts to preserve the former Kirby estate in Richfield, Ohio that has been a girl scout camp for more than 80 years. A number of Kirby designed innovations are still extant, including a mill built circa 1925 for producing hydroelectric power and patented filtration system that would keep silt out of the lake bed.
Additional information about topics discussed at the meeting/presentation:
Kirby estate, girl scout camp preservation efforts. http://www.friendsofcrowellhilaka.org/
Railsandtrails.com Google Earth Overlays page
Cleveland Cartography listing of digitized Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Atlases
A recent Google blogspot article discussed how Google Earth handles disputed place names.”When Sources Disagree”
Documentary “Devil’s Oven: The Fire in the Heart of the Little Cities of the Black Diamond“