Sandusky Souvenir Letter Tablet

Around the turn of the twentieth century, the Alexander Manufacturing Company published a "Souvenir Letter Tablet," which featured scenes from Sandusky and the surrounding area. Since the Lake Erie Islands was such a popular vacation destination, it is likely that tourists bought the tablets to write letters home to their family and friends while they were on vacation. The cover of the tablet (above) had a picture of the Sandusky Yacht Club building (then between Wayne Street and Columbus Avenue) and nautical decorations. 

Another page showed the boat landing at the foot of Columbus Avenue:

This page shows the Erie County Courthouse prior to its renovation in the 1930s:

The Congregational Church was featured on this page of the Sandusky souvenir letter tablet:

In addition to the souvenir tablet, the Alexander Manufacturing Company published souvenir postcards of Sandusky, several of which are in the collections of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center.

Ruby Souvenir Glass from Sandusky

Ruby souvenir glass was popular in the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Tourists could purchase items made of ruby colored glass while at the fair or train station, and could take them home as a memento of their travels. Several items made from ruby glass are in the collections of the Follett House Museum.

The ruby glass pitcher below was purchased at Cedar Point.

The tumbler below is etched with the words “Cedar Point” on one side, and “Mother” on the opposite side. It dates back to 1906.

This personalized mug was originally purchased for someone named Ethel in 1907.

Visit the Follett House Museum to view a variety of historical souvenirs and items from Sandusky’s storied past. To read more about the history of ruby glass, see this article from the Antique Trader.

Archives Month: Reunions -- Homecoming Week, 1914

In commemoration of Archives Month in Ohio and its theme of "Reunions," let's remember Sandusky Homecoming Week, first held in 1914. Former Sanduskians were encouraged to visit the city during the week of July 13-19, to take part in festivities and to feel nostalgic for their old home. Among the highlights of the week were parades (including a parade of motorboats), exhibits of local industry, concerts, fireworks, and "free automobile rides." Pioneer aviator Tony Jannus was scheduled to perform exhibition flights, although it appears that wind and rain may have kept him grounded.

The Sandusky Register reported that nearly 1500 former residents (from at least 27 states) registered their attendance during the week, with most registrants given a souvenir "key" by the Ad Club. Attendance was so good that the celebration, originally planned to end on Saturday, was extended to Sunday, July 19, with boat races and a concert performance by Ackley's Band concluding the events.

Apparently, Homecoming Week was so popular it was held again the following year, as well as during the city's centennial year, 1924. You can see the button for that event in the poster in the post below.