Thursday, July 30, 2009
Bicycle-friendly Oberlin all set for big weekend of cyclists
This coming weekend, Oberlin will be abuzz with activity including touring cyclists, groups, events and travel writers, not to mention the Oberlin Family Fun Fair will be going on at the same time. We often laud Oberlin for being such a bicycle friendly city. Here are a few scenes so you can see the spirit touring cyclists will encounter upon pedaling into this funky, eclectic college town. And don't forget, Saturday night bike-in movies on Tappan Square! This Sat. features Pee Wee's Big Adventure at dark!
Oberlin parks worker, Mike Ives installs new Back Roads and Beaches signage. The signs are designed to assist touring cyclists to get into Oberlin from the Back Roads and Beaches Route as well as from Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad Route, passing significant Underground Railroad places of interest such as Westwood Cemetery and the Underground Railroad sculpture. The spur route will also take cyclists by the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian House (Weltzheimer Johnson House), the Oberlin Heritage Center and into the center of town for dining, shopping, art galleries and performances. Download a printable Underground Railroad guide here.
Underground Railroad cyclists should also check out this blog entry about a local farm you will pass riding into town. Important note: cyclists that ride into town on SR 58 instead of following the Back Roads and Beaches into town will miss out on much of the most significant Underground Railroad history AND the most scenic, lightly traveled roads. You won't find avid local cyclists riding SR 58. A few more Oberlin scenes:
Oberlin has several eateries that feature delicious local, organic, vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Of course, you won't have trouble finding a great burger and beer here either!
Yes, these are some of the many bike racks you'll find around Oberlin, courtesy of the City of Oberlin.
Is this "sculpture" the work of the Oberlin Bike Coop?
Where else can you get a salad, berries, candy and some hemp shoes all in one spot? Gibsons of course!
Cyclists following the Back Roads and Beaches spur signs will pedal by the Westwood Cemetery where there are gravesites of many former slaves, abolitionists and civil rights activists. This is also the spot for the Underground Railroad Monument dedicated to all the fugitive slaves who passed through Oberlin on their journey to freedom. There are many other events and performances going on in Oberlin and around Back Roads and Beaches this weekend. Check out Main Street Oberlin's blog or the Visit Lorain County Calendar of Events for details.Labels: Adventure Cycling, back roads and beaches, events, Oberlin, Underground Railroad
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
150th Anniversary of the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue Celebration
Wellington-Oberlin fugitive slave rescuers at the jail
This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue that was said to have raised consciousness nationwide regarding the anti-slavery movement and earning Oberlin the recent title , “The town that started the Civil War.”
In 1858, John Price, a fugitive slave living in Oberlin, was tricked into the hands of four slave catchers. He was secretly driven down a country road, toward Wellington, a small town south of Oberlin where the slave catchers intended to put Price on a train headed back to Kentucky. However, halfway there they were spotted by two Oberlin men.
American House Hotel, Wellington (courtesy: Oberlin College Archives)
Among the group were freed slaves, fugitive slaves, students, townspeople, farmers and businessmen. It was a group that ignored their differences and untied in the cause for freedom. Differences that separated so many in the south. Their legacy of freedom and pride lives on today as Lorain County enjoys and maintains the cultural diversity it is so famous for.
The Back Roads and Beaches Route gets many Underground Railroad Cyclists that pass through Wellington and Oberlin. This is a great weekend to be here to celebrate and reflect on the Underground Railroad. Click here for more information on cycling and the Underground Railroad around BRaB. Click here for a list of this weekend’s anniversary events in Oberlin. Click here for more detail and photos of the rescue from the Oberlin Heritage Center. Labels: "Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue", 2008, biking, cycling, events, History, Oberlin, Underground Railroad, Wellington
Monday, September 1, 2008
Weekend Scenes along Findley Lake
While heading to Findley State Park, we found Fred Thomas of Cleveland pedaling out of Oberlin along the Underground Railroad. He was headed to a local market to pick up some fresh local produce. Fred will be riding Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad route to Buffalo.
Further on down the road, renting kayaks at Findley State Park in Wellington is a great way to get in a great workout while enjoying the beautiful southern Lorain County scenery. Two-person kayaks can be rented on weekends for $6 an hour. Click here for more details and contact information.
We saw this group learning the basics of kayaking.
These guys were basking in the sunshine..
Skilled fisherman
Canoeing through the beautiful landscape.Labels: birding, Findley, kayaking, Underground Railroad, visitors, Wellington
Monday, August 11, 2008
Pedaling through the past — bright futures ahead
Yesterday, seven Bronx Lab students and their guides arrived in Oberlin as part of their 250-mile “Health and History” cycling journey through Ohio’s Underground Railroad. The goal was to provide students the opportunity to experience the joy and beauty of bicycling along with a glimpse into Underground Railroad history. The students were provided bikes by the Jamis Bike Company and rode Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad route. The trip is a project conceived by trip leader, Sarah Eustis of the Bronx Lab School. Oberlin marked the end of the students’ journey. 
The students have been training since March, exercising and eating healthy to prepare for the effort. Congratulations to all! Click here for photos and journals of their trip.
Trip leader Sarah Eustis trains with her students in the Bronx to prepare for their cycling journey. Bronx Lab photo
Labels: Adventure Cycling, History, Oberlin, ohio, Underground Railroad, visitors
Saturday, July 26, 2008
XOBA visits
Riders from Delware, Ohio and Missouri enjoy their tour of Oberlin and ham it up at the railroad sculpture.
Riders roll into town after a long day of riding.
Kicking back
Wrapping up the evening with drumming on the Oberlin College campus
Congratulations to all the XOBA riders and organizers for a great week of riding!
Labels: History, Oberlin, Underground Railroad, XOBA
Friday, July 25, 2008
Welcome XOBA
XOBA (Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure) rolls into Lorain County today and we would like to welcome the 300 riders who are exploring the Underground Railroad. The riders will be exploring Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin and will head to Sandusky tomorrow.Labels: Lorain, Oberlin, Underground Railroad, XOBA
Friday, June 20, 2008
This evening on BRaB-Underground Railroad Ties
Riding the BRaB route this evening near Oberlin, we found the setting sun was casting a warm glow on this old barn.
Turns out, after talking to the current owner, it is so much more than just an old barn. It happens to be the former farmstead of Hiram Pease, who, according to Oberlin College’s website was the brother of Peter Pindar Pease. Hiram was a colorful and interesting historical Oberlin figure who owned a carraige shop in Oberlin.
Hiram and Lydia Pease paintings: Oberlin College
But what will be of special interest—especially to cyclists following Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad Tour who will pass by this property—is that the property was eventually sold to the Copeland family whose father was a freed slave that came to Oberlin because of its anti-slavery resolve and whose son, John Copeland Jr. was hanged for his participation in the raid on Harper’s Ferry.
Click here for a fascinating look into the history of this property and it’s ties to some of Oberlin’s most notable Underground Railroad figures. The property is located just beyond the corner of W. Hamilton and Pyle Road right outside Oberlin. It is privately owned. Labels: Adventure Cycling, architecture, History, Lorain County Visitors Bureau, Oberlin, Underground Railroad
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Weekend filled with events around Back Roads and Beaches
Thousands of cyclists will arrive in Lorain County this weekend for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure. Join them in working toward setting a record for the worlds longest bike parade. There will be no shortage of activity this weekend around the route. Of special note to cyclists exploring Underground Railroad history is Oberlin’s Juneteenth Festival. This year’s event will mark the 150th anniversary of the Oberlin Wellington slave rescue.
In September of 1858, John Price, a fugitive slave living in Oberlin, was tricked by slave hunters and taken by force to the nearby town of Wellington to await a train that would transport him back to Kentucky and slavery. The news of his abduction spread rapidly, and local abolitionists sprung into action. Students from Oberlin College set out for Wellington on foot, only to be overtaken by black and white townspeople speeding past in carriages and on horseback. Vowing no slave would ever be taken from Oberlin, the mob surrounded the Wellington hotel where Price was being held by three slave catchers from Kentucky. The rescuers carried him out a window, shuttled him back to Oberlin and hid him in the basement of James Fairchild's house (Fairchild later became president of Oberlin College). Soon after, Price disappeared. It is assumed that he made it to Canada and freedom.
Oberlin-Wellington Fugitive Slave Rescuers
Thirty-seven rescuers were later indicted for their roles in the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue, but only 20 served time in jail while awaiting trial. Eventually all 20 were acquitted and were welcomed back to Oberlin with a parade and rallies.
Starting in Wellington and moving north, throughout the route, here are a few events this week
Wellington
Jun 13–14 Village Wide Sidewalk & Yard Sales, Wellington, 9am–5pm. 440.647.3987
www.mainstreetwellington.com
Jun 14-21 Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, Lorain County Fairgrounds, Wellington. A week-long bicycle adventure beginning and ending in Wellington. Participate in the world record attempt for largest bike parade on June 14, 4-6pm registration, 6pm parade. 614.273.0811 | www.goba.com
Jun 14 Youth Anglers Fishing Derby, Findley State Park, Wellington, Picnic Point Area, 10am-12pm. Prizes for ages 15 & under. Tips on bait, tackle, identification and fishing skills. 440.647.5749
www.findleystatepark.org
Oberlin
Concert, Warner Concert Hall, Oberlin College, 4pm. Featuring music inspired by the culture and poetry of Native Americans. 440.774.4079 www.ochoristers.org
Jun 13–Aug 8 Fridays, Summer Concert Series, Tappan Square, Oberlin, 7–9pm. 440.774.6262 www.oberlinchamber.org
Jun 13–14 Juneteenth Celebration, Tappan Square, Oberlin, Fri 11am–8:30pm, Sat 10am–6pm. Celebrate the date that the last slaves were freed and the 150th anniversary of the Oberlin-Wellington Slave Rescue. 440.935.0201
www.juneteenthoberlin.com
Jun 14–Aug16 Saturdays at the Schoolhouse, Oberlin Heritage Center, 12–2pm. Little Red Schoolhouse, experience historic school lessons, and play old-fashioned games. 440.774.1700 www.oberlinheritage.org
Jun 13 Summer Kick-Off Hog Roast, Matus Winery, Wakeman, 12–8pm. Wine and dinner by the famous Chubby’s BBQ from Put-in-Bay. 440.774.WINE
www.matuswinery.us
Vermilion
Jun 13–15 Festival of Fish, Victory Park, Vermilion, Fri–Sat 12–11pm, Sun 12–6pm. Entertainment, lighted boat parade, crazy craft race, sand castle building, and parade on Sunday. 440.967.4477
www.discoververmilion.com
Jun 14 Festival of Fish 5K Race & 1 Mile Dog Walk, 8am registration, 9am race. 440.967.4208
www.vermilionymca.com
Labels: back roads and beaches, biking, events, Findley, fishing, GOBA, History, multi-sport, Oberlin, Underground Railroad, Vermilion, Wellington
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Riding like girls!
Over 30 women from WomanTours pulled into Oberlin today following a 80+ mile day of cycling the Underground Railroad. The group are making their way to Canada while exploring Underground Railroad history. We caught up with a few today on their way...
Group leader and chef Michelle along with Mary and Holly at the end of
the day’s ride, pull into the Oberlin Inn. 
Lois Schneider, from Sarasota rode almost 100 miles today!
They will remain in Oberlin until Monday, giving them a day of r&r while exploring the area’s rich history and other sites. We welcome these remarkable women to North Central Ohio!
Labels: Underground Railroad, visitors
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Summer Fun!
The weather is really heating up in North Central Ohio. Cyclists are out on the BRaB route and we’re starting to see many groups coming through to explore the Underground Railroad, the arts and local culture while enjoying the scenic cycling route. Here are a few great upcoming events along the route this week:
Saturday, June 7: Lakeview Park, Lorain, 12–4pm. Food, games, crafts and a steel drum band concert. 440.458.5121 www.loraincountymetroparks.com Saturday, June 7: Oberlin’s Farmers Market, located next to City Hall, Oberlin, 9am–1pm. Locally grown and prepared foods. 440-775-2423 | www.oberlin.org
See below for more ongoing events, exhibits and gallery events. Labels: Adventure Cycling, events, Lakeview Park, Oberlin, Underground Railroad
Friday, May 30, 2008
Back Roads and Beaches welcomes Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad Riders
Six cyclists from Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad route will be rolling into Oberlin for the weekend to experience Oberlin's rich Underground Railroad history. While here, they'll check out the BRaB route and hopefully get to meet some of our local cyclists. They are making their way to Canada. If you see them out on the route, make sure you give them a big welcome!Labels: Adventure Cycling, History, Oberlin, Underground Railroad
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Spring: Rebirth, Ritual and ReCreation
Of course, taking in a bike ride is a great way to kick-off the spring season. All along the Back Roads and Beaches route, art galleries, museums and performance spaces are alive with activity that reflects the current season. The Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery at Lorain County Community College is host to the exhibit, “Spring: Rebirth, Ritual and ReCreation.” Although the gallery isn't right on the Back Roads and Beaches Route, many of the surrounding activities are. On Saturday, May 24, 1–5pm, Common Ground will be hosting an Environmental Art Day. There will be a presentation on the work of Andy Goldsworthy. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own art using only objects found in nature. Common Ground is right along the BRaB route so biking to this great event is a great way to heighten the natural experience.
Common Ground: Cindy Nord Center for Renewal
Here are some other great events coming up along the route:
- April 5, Art Auction and Wine Tasting, FAVA Gallery, Oberlin, 7–10pm
- April 8, Oberlin Orchestra, Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, 8pm.
- April 10, Artist Recital Series, Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, 8pm. Grammy award winning violinist, Hilary Hahn and Oberlin alumnus, Josh Ritter collaborate in a broad range of original and traditional music.
- April 11, Nat Brandt Program and Book Signing, Oberlin Public Library, 4pm. Author of The Town that Started the Civil War will present a program about his newest book.
- April 13, Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra Concert, Apollo Theater, Oberlin 3:30pm.
- April 13, Sing for Spring, Avon Lake United Church of Christ, 7:30pm
- April 17–20, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Hall Auditorium, Oberlin College, 8pm, Sun 2pm. Set in a recording studio in 1927, this two-act drama tells the story of blues legend Ma Rainey.
- April 20, Pasta Paradise, Jackalope Restaurant, Lorain. Pasta buffet benefits the Black River Historical Society.
Labels: arts, events, Jackalope Restaurant, Underground Railroad
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Cycling through Underground Railroad History in Lorain County
"If I am dying for Freedom, I could not die for a better cause, I had rather die than be a slave."
-John Copeland
Lorain County proudly served as one of the final stops along the Underground Railroad. Slaves traveling to Canada often passed through this area until about 1861, following Frederick Douglass's advice to follow the North Star to freedom in Canada. Lorain County provided a direct route to Lake Erie as northern Lorain County borders Lake Erie's central basin. Some found the area so safe, they lived out their lives here. Oberlin is also honored to be known as one of the nation's most pioneering communities in equality and integration. Oberlin has been called "the town that started the Civil War" due to it's role in the fight for civil rights. Oberlin and Wellington were the sites of a famous slave rescue in 1858 that was said to have raised consciousness nationwide regarding the anti-slavery movement.
Lorain County's Underground Railroad history can be explored along the Back Roads and Beaches tour. Much of the Back Roads and Beaches Tour is part of Adventure Cycling Association's Underground Railroad Cycling tour that travels from Alabama to Canada. Cyclists completing the Adventure Cycling tour might want to spend some extra time here and explore our historical and cultural offerings.
Points of interest beginning in the southern end of the tour, near Findley State Park:
25600 SR58 (Huntington) Rev. Ansel Clarke Home. Not open to the public. Former home of abolitionist and Congregational Minister Ansel Clarke. Home is thought to have harbored fugitive slaves.
Oberlin College (Oberlin) Students and faculty were especially active in the Oberlin Anti-Slavery Society, others took part in the rescue and harbor of fugitive slaves. In 1835 the College trustees agreed blacks should be admitted to the College. Oberlin College was the first college to admit black women. Mary Jane Patterson, the first black woman in the world to receive a college degree (in 1862) attended Oberlin College.
181 E. Lorain St. (Oberlin) Station #99. Bardwell House. Not open to the public. Former home of missionary and abolitionist Rev. John Bardwell. Fugitive slaves hid under the eaves of the house where sliding panels opened into dark passageways.
First Church in Oberlin: Corner of Main and Lorain Sts. Built in 1842. The First Church was the meeting site for the Oberlin Anti-Slavery society and the site of the funeral for Lee Howard Dobbins, the four-year old fugitive slave buried in Oberlin.
Westwood Cemetery (Oberlin) Morgan St. Here lie former slaves, famous abolitionists and many who have become known as Oberlin's faces of change. Walking tour maps can be obtained by contacting the Lorain County Visitors Bureau.
Oberlin Heritage Center (Oberlin) 73 1/2 South Professor St. Oberlin has a powerful and nationally significant history that visitors can experience through guided tours at the Oberlin Heritage Center. Visitors will hear stories and see buildings associated with the founding of Oberlin, African-American history, the Underground Railroad, women's history, scientific discovery, and missionary, temperance, and other reform movements. Visitors will tour the 1836 Little Red Schoolhouse, the 1866 Monroe House, and the 1884 Jewett House.
Station 100, (Lorain) Said to be the mouth of the Black River and shores of Lake Erie. Many slaves departed here to freedom in Canada. New monument to escaping slaves erected in 2007 at Black River Landing, Lorain.
Upcoming Historical Events along the Back Roads and Beaches Route
The Lorain Port Authority presents A Taste of History along with the fourth annual Antique Show on the River presented by Black River Historical Society, August 18, 2007 at the Black River Landing. An all day event featuring music, shopping, food, boat rides, wine-tasting, and tall ship tours!
Walking Tours of Oberlin!
The Oberlin Heritage Center will be offering new guided walking tours of Oberlin, focusing on Oberlin's history through its architecture around Tappan Square. The tour will be offered three times this fall: Friday, September 14th at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 6th at 1:00 p.m., and Friday, October 12th, at 1:00 p.m. Enrollment is limited so reservations are required and may be made by calling (440) 774-1700 or by sending an email to tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org. There is a $6 per person fee ($4 for Oberlin Heritage Center members). The tours will be canceled and refunds will be made if it is raining at the start time. The tour starts at the Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House at 73 1/2 South Professor Street. The tour is also available by appointment for groups.
October 13 at Black River Historical Society, Valley Vagabonds are sponsoring a historical and beautiful architectural 10k or 5k walk. This walk will take you by interesting and scenic points in Lorain. The start is between 9 a.m. - 1p.m. finish by 4 p.m. In addition, the new President of the National Volkssport Association from Washington state will also be there to answer your questions on this international walking sport. Walk for free, credit, or award and credit. The award is a Linden leaf pin in our leaf series. The national website is www.ava.org and the club website is www.geocities.com/valleyvclv/. This walking sport is for the whole family since you do it at your own pace. If you have questions, please contact Deva Simon 440-572-1675.
Labels: Black River, events, History, Lorain County, Museums, Oberlin, Underground Railroad, walking tours
Oberlin parks worker, Mike Ives installs new Back Roads and Beaches signage. The signs are designed to assist touring cyclists to get into Oberlin from the Back Roads and Beaches Route as well as from Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad Route, passing significant Underground Railroad places of interest such as Westwood Cemetery and the Underground Railroad sculpture. The spur route will also take cyclists by the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian House (Weltzheimer Johnson House), the Oberlin Heritage Center and into the center of town for dining, shopping, art galleries and performances. Download a printable Underground Railroad guide here.
