Charleston Village Society, Inc.

History of the Port
Renee Dore, CVSI/BRHS

early shipbuilding

The Benefit and Significance of Lorain’s Port “Port: A town having a harbor where ships may dock.” “Harbor: A place of refuge, comfort and security. A sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo.”The south shore of Lake Erie has many rivers that run perpendicular to the lake’s waters and form many natural harbors from Toledo at the western end to Ashtabula to the east. Central to these cities is the harbor at the mouth of the Black River in Lorain, Ohio. For centuries, this harbor has been an essential part of the lives of those living near the banks of the river and along the southern shore of Lake Erie. It has been a commercial source and a mainstay of elements necessary for daily life.

July is the month of the Port Fest celebration in Lorain so it is a good time to stop and recognize the historical importance of the Port and natural harbor. It has been a vital link to Lorain’s growth from the early years of the Black River settlement, for Charleston Village, and throughout the decades that followed to our present time. The history of the harbor can fill pages with stories and facts, so there is not enough space here to do that. However, some highlights can be shared.

In the early 1800’s, the Black River was the first stream west of the Cuyahoga River that could be navigated and its harbor was said to have been one of the best on the Great Lakes. Much of the coastline had cliffs so the harbor offered some safety for small sail crafts on the Lake. The first settlers ( Perry family) came who arrived here from the east built a log cabin at the mouth of the harbor in 1807, then, slowly , more settlers arrived in the newly established “Western Reserve” land. In 1812 the Reid family built a building called the Reid House that overlooked the Black River on the western bank. The building was used as a tavern and dwelling. Also, it was to help serve more settlers anticipated to arrive from the east.

The mouth of the river was the location of “ The Mouth of Black River “Post Office that was established around that same time. It was one of 2 in the Black River Township. Many of the settlers from Buffalo (coming to restart their lives in the most western end of the Reserve) chose to arrive by boat rather than travel by land, feeling it a safer and easier route in those days. The Black River was their last stop before continuing by land to their new homesteads. So rather than cargo, passengers and their belonging were handled at the river’s edge.

Shipbuilding evolved into an industry for the small settlement at the north end of the harbor. A demand for more vessels became greater as more settlers arrived and the needs for supplies increased. This was true for many of the other villages along the Great Lakes. The first ship was built in 1819 at a small shipyard near the mouth of the Black River. The first ships were small sailing ships built from the timber cut in the area. This offered some jobs for the few carpenters here. Shipbuilding was a talent learned back in the New England states from where many settlers originated. The ship building industry grew to become one of the largest in the city providing jobs and services for thousands for decades to come. The shipbuilding was well known all across the Great Lakes.
The decade of 1830-1840 was one of many changes for the tiny lake port area. The name changed to Charleston Village in 1834. The town site had been planned in such a way so that the land at the mouth of the Black River could be efficiently used. The village was granted a charter in 1836. It was during this time there was great anticipation of the railroad locating a line to Lorain. In the meantime the port continued to be used for shipping grain, lumber cut from the area forests, and storing farm produce. There was an increase in business due to the incoming and outbound ships, carrying new settlers and necessary supplies. Shipbuilding continued. Before the railroad, the harbor was used to ship grain for cereals that were shipped to the eastern sections of the country. Some wagons came from as far as Medina County. Many people benefited from the hard work the early settlers preformed
.
Fishing was a smaller industry but did provide food and jobs for some living in the small village of Charleston. The population grew from 209 in 1830 in Black River Township to 668 in 1840 with several hundred living near the lakeshore and harbor of Black River.

It was in the 1850’s that a downward spiral occurred for those who depended on the activities of the Port for their sustaining of life. The railroads had chosen routes that took them to the cities south of the Port. One line went to Elyria and the competition between lake and rail shipping began. The railroad won the struggle and without a rail line to Charleston, the sad fate was realized by the village residents. Many men were forced to move to find jobs and many of the early settlers who established and built the village had died. The population dwindled to about half it had gained in the prior years. The main industry continued to be shipbuilding followed by fishing. There were 31 ships built in that decade at the companies along the river. The lake influenced some men to become ship captains and life revolved around the activities of the port and harbor. An iron furnace was built on the river in the 1850’s and thus began the use of raw materials ( iron ore and limestone)from the north. Had it not been for those who remained in the village during the roughest of times, the destiny of this city might have been different.

During this declined era, the residents of Charleston never forgot their fellow citizens and those less fortunate or in peril. Some of the ship captains risked their own lives daily on the lakes. Some never saw made it home their families at the end of a long journey due to the fierce and fickle weather of Lake Erie. A few captains also put their lives in jeopardy by transporting slaves to their freedom from the mouth of the Black River to Canada. Many of the wives kept the families and homes together.

When the railroad came to the port village in 1872, a direct connection was made to the coal fields of Appalachia to the south. This began a positive turning point for the Village. The city was reincorporated in 1874 taking on the county name” Lorain”. There was a east – west rail line established also, but it was the north – south route combined with the port activities that changed the outlook for Lorain for many decades. The success of the steel industry was directly related to having such an important port. The same was true for building ships. The waterfront was the site of where the water was pumped, sanitized, and supplied for the town residents. The first major power plant for electricity was located there, also, making their lives easier and safer.
The tides have turned once again for Lorain’s harbor as new uses for the vital land are explored. As we celebrate the festival of the Port, let’s all take time to remember those early settlers who turned a small, lonesome harbor into an industrial giant and also created a large beautiful city from a lakefront wilderness and tiny port village. The memories of such an important past deserve a place in today’s changing world.

One a personal note: my childhood home had a direct east view from the third floor bedroom and the sites and sounds of the ships and ore loaders were familiar. The loaders and coal cars made sounds like a monster roaring and banging in the distance. We were used to the loud sounds that kept many guest awake a night when visiting. I would just watch them late at night and wonder what it was all about. Now I know, and how it all came to be has given me a new respect for the past and the location where we continue to live today.

Resource: “ Lorain, Ohio: A Study in Urban Geography”, R. J. Frost, Oberlin College
“ History of Lorain County” volume
both at Lorain Public Library.