While going through old photos from ’18 we ran across some pics we took in an often overlooked little town, Sandusky Ohio… Why not write a post while I’m just hanging around.
On our way to Cleveland we make our usual half-way-point stop in Sandusky Ohio. Sandusky sits at the mouth of Sandusky Bay on the Lake Erie shoreline. The city developed as an industrial port town, its street grid is laid out in the shape of the symbol of the Freemason; the only other US city to do so is Washington DC. If you live in Michigan you immediately think Cedar Point when you hear Sandusky, there’s so much more to this historic, beautiful, charming city than the amusement park.
Washington St. is home to museums, lovely gardens, the Erie County Courthouse and the Boy With The Boot Fountain–I love fountains. The original 1895 JW Fiske & Co zinc casting has been moved to the city building, a bronze replica now takes its place. Under a perfect blue sky, red and purple flowers fill the rock-walled garden, narrow jets of water shoot skyward surrounding the boy with the boot, pedestrians take respite from the heat on shaded benches. We stroll through the gardens in the park across the street.
On Columbus Ave. we decide to have lunch at Small City Taphouse. Serving Asian classics like pho, sushi, and noodles with 80 beers on draft what’s not to like? We order the appetizer special, a few sushi and a small salad; everything is delicious. Lots to choose from on the menu, nice atmosphere and great service.
The other thing Sandusky is famous for is Lyman Boats. The company moved from Cleveland to the Sandusky waterfront in 1929. Known as one the premier wooden boat manufacturers throughout the 1940’s-1960’s the original factory on First Street still stands. Now known as the Lyman Harbor Entertainment Complex, I read somewhere that they have a bunch of memorabilia on display, let’s see what they’ve got. We step inside the building as workers are setting up for an event later in the evening. I choose a direction to start looking for an office, Kris goes another direction. I find a woman and ask if we’re allowed to look around, luckily one of the owners is standing right there and offers to take Kris and I on a tour. He talks as we walk through the complex telling us many of the original factory structures were retrofitted in order to maintain the atmosphere and historical significance of Lyman Boat Works. The space is vast, we pass a vintage boat pausing to have a look, framed photos and catalog pages hang on walls.
In the restaurant space huge windows connect us to the lake, vintage water skis, swim suits, an old windshield and dashboard along with other Lyman goodies decorate the space. We learn that Lyman’s “Clinker Built” lapstrake hull is constructed in a way in which edges of the hull planks overlap; designed specifically for Lake Erie’s infamous rugged chop. The company built wooden outboard and inboard models ranging from 13′-30′ in length from 1875-1973 producing around 60,000 boats. Lyman enthusiasts who bring their boats here regard the location as coming home. Opened since 2002 the complex is home to a wedding and conference center, pub and marina. We’d like to come back and eat here next time we’re in town.
Wandering the waterfront we catch the tail end of a Tall Ships America display. The El Galeon Andalucia is a magnificent 17th Century Spanish Galleon Replica out of Seville Spain. Unfortunately we’re too late to tour the ships. We watch as boats come and go, stare out at Cedar Pointe, walk past ornate historic buildings downtown. It feels like new life is being breathed into this once forgotten town. We grab some coffee for the road at Boom Town Coffee on Water Street. Back to US 6 and east to Cleveland.
detroitdvotion 