Military Collection of the Bay Village Historical Society

Military Collection of the Bay Village Historical Society

by Michele Yamamoto

Veterans Day is November 11. It is a day to officially recognize the men and women, both living and deceased, who served in the U.S. military. At the Bay Village Historical Society, we have items that help tell the story of many veterans from our community and beyond. The collections contain pieces from the Revolutionary War up to the Vietnam War, including uniforms, photographs and papers. We’d like to share a small sample of some of those collections with you today in honor of all of the veterans we recognize for their service and patriotism.

Gun powder tin said to have been carried by William Saddler I from Clarence N.Y. in saddle bags on horseback when he came through what is now Bay Village as a scout with the Army in the War of 1812. Saddler participated in the Battle of Lake Erie as a sharp shooter. Saddler liked the area so much he convinced his extended family to move to the territory when the war ended.

Civil War Ohio Volunteer Infantry cartridge box inside ammunition bag 2003.C.09

World War I Marine Corps uniform 1996.C.209

Ernie Olchon at camp in the Philippines (about 1945) 2018.P.11.05. Olchon was the owner of the Ernie Olchon’s Bay Service station from the 1940s-1971. The U.S. Army was fortunate to have such a talented mechanic. Of the many positive remarks by his superiors was this: “PFC Olchon has been devoted to his duties and put in many hours of overtime beyond his actual required work. His loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness and his mechanical ability is unquestionable.”

 

A selection of pieces from the Chauncey Howard Franks collection, 2013.1. Franks was stationed in North Africa and Italy during World War II. He used his skills as part of the 815th Engineer Aviation Battalion, working on a historic strip on the Anzio beachhead which is listed as perhaps the single toughest aviation engineer assignment of the Mediterranean Air War.

 

MIA bracelet for Capt. Peter Woodbury Sherman, 2000.C.12. Traditionally, these POW/MIA bracelets were worn by waiting loved ones in the United States until the soldier it honored was returned. Sherman graduated from Parkview (Bay High School) in 1947. During the Vietnam War, on June 10, 1967, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4C) over Nghe An Province, Vietnam when his aircraft crashed 45 miles off shore near Hon Me Island. His remains were recovered on January 16, 1991 and identified on April 29, 1991. Capt. Sherman served with honor in the United States Navy and was awarded the Purple Heart.

We Need You!

Your donations and memberships help keep these artifacts preserved and accessible to all and can be made by visiting our webpage https://www.bayhistorical.com/support-us/. We appreciate any support you may give.

If you have any questions or information for us or are interested in volunteering with Bay Village Historical Society, please call us at (440) 871-7338 or email us: info@bayhistorical.com.

Come visit us!

We have fashion on display at the Rose Hill Museum, with an emphasis on the 1920s. The museum is open on Sundays in April-December from 2:00pm to 4:30pm.

Next to the Rose Hill Museum is the Osborn Learning Center which now showcases exhibits ranging from Eliot Ness and the “Untouchables” to the Sheppard murder case. It also houses various research materials from our archives for visitors.

Ernie Olchon’s Bay Service Station

Ernie Olchon’s Bay Service Station

by Michele Yamamoto

Do you recognize the building below? It sits at the southwest corner of Dover and Wolf, across from Bay Village City Hall. Although currently occupied by Vivid Diamonds & Design, for many decades prior the site was known as a gas station. Ernie Olchon’s Bay Service Station at 27205 Wolf Road was in business from 1940 until the early 1970s. It was run by Ernest Olchon, Bay Village resident and WWII veteran.

The Bay Village Historical Society has many interesting items concerning Mr. Olchon. The collection contains objects, documents and pictures, including Olchon’s time serving in the Philippines and his business in Bay Village.

Below you’ll find photos of his station from various decades of its existence. Note the changes in appearance of the building over the years.

If you are interested in being a part of preserving and sharing the history of people and businesses like this and would like to ask about volunteering your time with us at the Bay Historical Society, please contact (440) 871-7338 or email us: info@bayhistorical.com.

 

2018.P.11.12.04, Gas station circa the 1940s, possibly when Ernest Olchon was an employee but before he took ownership (note the Bay Village Square Shopping Center, built in 1949, had not yet been constructed)

 

2018.P.11.12.05B, Ernie Olchon’s Bay Service Station, Nov. 1951

 

2018.P.11.12.11, Ernie Olchon’s Bay Service Station, circa 1960s

 

2018.P.11.12.14, Ernie Olchon (middle) and employees inside the service station circa 1960s

2018.P.11.12.22, Ernie Olchon (left) with employee in front of his service station, circa 1970