This is how the Harbor looked when Edward first arrived around 1897. See the old Hoists? Men shoveled ore into tubs that were carried along the framework from the ships to the rail yard. Click on the photos for larger views of the Harbor in 1896.

This second photo shows more of the town. Can you find the Ollila Home and Grocery Store on Oak Street?

The link below will take you to a bird's eye view of Ashtabula Harbor where you can zoom into any building.

Library of Congress Interactive Panoramas

Point Park Then and Now

To Miss Maud Turner, Box 106, Ada, Ohio, 9-Mar-07
We landed here all right, but left the trunk in Ada.
Earl sends his best regards. G. Q.

1907. When this postcard was mailed on March 9, Hilma and Edward were 21 and 24 years old. First son, Rufus was 2 and they were expecting Viola on June 7.

2002. Tucked into a back corner, a visitor would find the Operator's cab and bucket of a great Hulett, controls still working. Is it still there?

Town Life

Bridge Street

Downtown

Ashtabula Bridges

Pic of Old Ollila Store (Chapman's)

The Harbor of Joy

Passages from Iloinen Harbori by Kalle Potti

THE BOY WHO TAUGHT AMERICA TO WRITE:

A boy named Platt Rogers Spencer came to Ashtabula in a covered wagon. He wanted to figure out a writing system whereby one could write perfect letters with ease.

Platt would practice writing connectedly, for a half-mile on the sand with a stick.

His design came to be known as Spencerian Pensmanship. In his books, he would illustrate his techniques by drawing the perfect oval shape of a beach pebble.

His writing is still taught to kids everywhere.