Story of Bay Village...by Rita Welsch

Archive

-

Bay Village Historical Society

"Story of Bay Village...by Rita Welsch," p. 1: Origsize: 8.5" x 11"; Origformat: Artifact; Resolution: 600 DPI
"Story of Bay Village...by Rita Welsch," p. 1

Origsize: 8.5" x 11"; Origformat: Artifact; Resolution: 600 DPI

Name/Title

"Story of Bay Village...by Rita Welsch"

Entry/Object ID

2023.17.01

Scope and Content

"Story of Bay Village as Told to Deborah Welsch-Morrison by Her Mother Rita Welsch" George Welsch, Rita's husband, was a builder in Bay Village and they raised their four daughters there. She talks of their backgrounds, employment, names and ages of daughters. Marilyn Sheppard murder occurred two months before the moved in and discusses the impact and seeing Sam sitting at Avellone's. There were two major newspapers the Cleveland Plain Dealer (morning) and the Cleveland Press (afternoon) Dorothy Fuldheim as a pioneer female broadcaster. There were only three TV stations (3,5 and 8). Children's programs involved Disney and Denise the Menace. p. 2 They attended St. Raphaels's Church and attended the school. She recalls when John F. Kennedy, candidate for president drove down Wolf Road. There was a golf course at the far eastern end. A child almost drown in the creek and was saved by a Girl Scout leader. In 1963 George purchased a property on the corner of Osborn and Wood Park from Mr. Gorrie, a master gardener. There was a yucca tree plant on the property that was very unusual for this part of Ohio. Property included a Dutch Colonial house (sold to Bill and Betty Cowden) and an adjoining property they built their new home at 28204 Osborn Road which they moved into in Sept. 1964 where they lived 11 years. George developed land vacant between Osborn and Wolf Roads (near Bay High). He built all the homes on Bracken Way and Turnbridge. They resided on Turnbridge until 1985. Discussed Bay being a 'dry' community. in the 1960's a black family moved into the community and were welcomed. p. 3 Brackenway was named after Mrs. Bracken who owned the land George developed. Turnbridge was named after the incident where Sen. Ted Kennedy drove his car off the bridge at Chappaquidcick Island killing his passenger. Kennedy took the wrong TURN off the BRIDGE. A testament to his sense of humor. He further purchased land and developed more streets that were named after family members: Deborah/Debbie - Debbington Mary Beth - Marygate Linda - Lindford Lisa - Lisaview Welsch - Welshire George love of Bay Village went to developing commercial properties: 1980 he remodeled the old Kroger Shopping Center at Dover Center and West Oviatt near the railroad tracks. It did not include the old syrup factory (Zipp Manufacturing). New tenants included: Perkins Pancake House, Realestate offices of Miller & Meeks, Dairy Queen and the Nickel Plate Deli. He drove a Lincoln Continental, smoked Dominican cigars, wore a cowboy hat and belt buckle. Known for his unmistakable roar of laughter. He was 6'1" and Rita was 5'. He helped to remodel St. Raphael Parish Church in 1976. In 1985 they moved to be near family near Huron and Sandusky as they were both born and raised in Bellevue. He built several more homes in the area before relocating in 1991 to Pueblo West, CO where he created Villa Del Sol, his final project. He passed away on July 9, 1996 of pancratic cancer. p. 4-5 Memories of the early days of Bay Village Discussion of stores in the shopping center and the area. Deborah's Memories as a child growing up. Bay Days, neighbors, outdoor decorating for Christmas, sledding down the street with the Ford station wagon. Huntington Beach in the late 50"s and not being able to get in the water for fear of getting polio. Memories of bikes through the neighborhood with Jane "Tava" Ellsworth.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Zwilling, Francis G. Rev.

Person or Organization

Welsch-Morrison, Deborah

Person or Organization

Welsch, Rita

Person or Organization

Welsch, Mary Beth

Person or Organization

Welsch, George

Person or Organization

Welsch (Colton), Lisa

Person or Organization

Sheppard, Sam, Dr.

Person or Organization

Sheppard, Marilyn

Person or Organization

Ranney, Linda Welsch

Person or Organization

Kosch, Russ

Person or Organization

Kosch, Jeff

Person or Organization

Kennedy, John F., Pres.

Person or Organization

Gorrie, Mr.

Person or Organization

Gerber, Sam

Person or Organization

Fuldheim, Dorothy

Person or Organization

Ellsworth, Jane "Tava"

Person or Organization

Crowe, Robert, Dr.

Person or Organization

Bracken, Mrs.

Person or Organization

Callahan, Nelson J., Rev.

Person or Organization

Cowden, Betty

Person or Organization

Cowden, Bill

Person or Organization

Creighton, Mr.

Person or Organization

Saddler, Jesse L.

Related Entries

Notes

2023.P.17.02, 2023.P.17.03, 2023.P.17.04, 2023.P.17.05