Wallace Aero Marine Services On Indian Lake Ohio. Oh Heck Ya!
Oldest known image of Wallace Aero Marine Services On Indian Lake Ohio 1920’s
Remember that killer sign for sale last week? The one at the Facebook Auction? The one that sold for $15,000? Ya that one. Well, we were all rooting for Greg Wallace.. yes the same Wallace, to get the sign. But at some point, it just was insane. But it is what it is, and at least the sign is off to a very good home, and will no doubt be preserved. Like I would put that in a bubble.. JUST CLICK ON THE IMAGE AND IT WILL BLOW UP!
The sign.
Okay, thats out of the way, We did promise some background on why George was so keen on getting the sign. Turns out, it may be one of the only tangible things left from a family legacy. And oh what a legacy it is. Mother of all legacy’s. The Wallace family is one of the coolest families out there. They made a living being a great marina, and giving rides, selling boats, pumping gas, and just generally being a host to great times on Indian Lake. And.. Greg is sharing some of the images they have, and a little bit of family history. Oh and HELL YA we are headed up there this summer. HELL TO THE YA!
Looks like a bunch of BW stuff. But right click and blow this sucker up. Ugh, I wish the new site was live. All these images will be header size.
Thats a Mobil Gas sign. And Pump, and some guys hanging out.
The back of Wallace Aero marine Services, Photo from the ice. Now, here is a little background. The lift system was built out of….wait for it. Walnut! Cut from trees that were in the area that was there before the lake. WALNUT! BTW, this is the exact design I want to install at the Railway. And yes those are round Mobil signs. AHHHHHHHHH!
A peaceful summer hangout
Grandma lookin things over. Probably wondering what the crew got done today. Notice the Kermath laying in the ground. If you look closely on the right, you can see bits of the bridge, which is the only thing left in that area from the past.
Gregs Uncle, you can see the bridge to the Amusement park in the back as reference
Gregs Dad under the hoist next to 30 ft dodge and Stuffin Box” the original Popeye. 1940
Greg’s Grandfather Capt “Scotty” Wallace with my dad and his older brother 1936
Tomorrow, we will show and talk, like a show and tell I suppose, the Boats and rides.. Oh the Wallace clan sure enjoyed some fast and powerful boats. WOW..
Capt “Scotty” at the helm of his favorite large boat, 30 Belle Isle Super Bear Cat. Hall Scott power.
What a treasure of photos and memories. I love the old sedan in the header. Much like the one I grew up on.
Sounds like there may be an Indian Lake rendezvous in the making for this summer. Count the Michigan gang in!
Oh ya! Thats a great idea Greg, my plan is too replicate the sign for up there. I may even do it while there. We will also be making a Sons Of Varnish INDIAN LAKE Chapter. Stay tuned, this is gonna be a Milk fest this year.
What are the chances the dog in the 1st pic is genetically linked to Mr. B?
Great stuff!!!
It’s funny how romantically we talk about these bygone days when in fact it was a family business simply trying to make a living. I’m sure there were good times, bad times, and lots of stress added to the daily adventure.
Are we going to get a picture into the Aero part of the business also?
Greg, I was sorry to see it didn’t come your way, but thank you so much for sharing the history. It’s phenomenal to know and see the story behind items.
Very cool! Looking forward to further installments of this story. Like Troy, I wonder about the significance of the “Aero” portion of “Aero Marine”
Although I spent the first 27 years of my life in western Ohio, I only remember being at Indian Lake once. Crew Chief was working strike duty at the refinery in Toledo during winter ’87/88. So lots of time by myself. One of my brothers invited me to go along to the Indian Lake boat show – the kind where they sell new boats. He ended up buying an ’88 SeaRay 20′ cuddy.
Don’t know if this is still the case, as it’s been close to 20 years since Ohio friends told me this. They described the lake there being “so stumpy, we run one of those cheap composite props, take it off & chuck it in the bin, when we get the boat on the trailer at the end of the weekend”.
Thanks again to all who expressed support, enthusiasm and “more” during the sign saga. Like Matt said if it couldn’t come home it at least found its and way to an enthusiast and safe harbor. As far as the “Aero” part of the name. Beyond word of mouth from Grandma, Dad, and Uncle Don we have no physical evidence to share regarding this aspect, however Grandma spoke of airplane ownership but my dad talked of aero engines installed in fast boats that went to Lake Erie and in some cases were re acquired at Coast Guard auctions …rinse and repeat. Not necessarily in that order. Grandma, being a card carrying member of the J. Edgar Hoover fan club vehemently denied any association with the implied entities. Dad just smiled and winked.
Love the story, Greg!
Great pictures, Cool story. Like I have said before. I have heard a lot of good stories about Indian lake from Mom, Dad and Grandma. Indian Lake is only 95 miles from our house in Ohio. I am embarrassed to admit that I have never been there. I am going to go this year! Keep us posted on the Indian Lake rendezvous. I would like to be there.
In the late 50’s or early 60’s Dad paid for a ride at Russell’s Point in I know now was a Chris Craft Sea Skiff. Later I owned Century Vagabond J5026 which Dad dearly loved. It was ruined by a “restorer” and I sold it as a project. The Miklos Boys found it on EBay bought it and fully restored it. They may still own it, I hope.
Century Vagabond J5026
http://centuryclassicpowerboat.com/projects/J5026vagabond/J5026.htm
It seems to me that it was common in those days for companies to be named “Aero – Marine” even though many had minimal activity in the Aero end of things.
Guess we sunk that one!
Here is one that actually built airplanes. They started in 1907 and are STILL in business today in Fair Haven Michigan.
http://www.mayeaboats.com
mayea boat works from http://www.mayeaboats.com
The Mayea Boat & Aeroplane Works
Looking closer at some of the pics: WHAT IZ IT?
Its a Dart!
Darts built There. My boat was a Ride Boat on Indian Lake. Still have it
Jim,
Didn’t realize Dart boats were built there. Very cool that you have an ex-ride boat. You should send Matt some info on it & he could tie it into the Indian Lake history stories.
Jim, would really love to hear the story of your Dart. Please share with Matt so he can share with the rest of us. Yours makes only the third “ride” boat from the pre-war era that I have been able to find.
Wow.
This is what it’s all about.
Please, may we have some more?
Wonder if that Super Belle Isle Bearcat became Jim Street’s?
Hhhmmmm……..
❤️
Those round Mobil signs are actually gas pump globes. The lenses are either 15″ diameter or 16.5″ diameter with metal bodies.
The globes pictured are from the 1930’s and the Mobil Lubrication sign is from the 1940’s.
We love seeing how and where this stuff was used.
Pictures are of some of my fathers marine gasoline collection.
Here are globes
globes
globe
Dear god…
Wonderful to see a focus on Indian Lake! My family had a cottage on Tecumseh Island on Indian Lake when I was growing up in Ohio, and we even had a small Chris-Craft in the 1950s that I recall riding in, even though I was very young at the time. I grew up boating on Indian Lake and Russell’s Point was where the amusement park was located, and it was also the biggest town located on the lake, so we ended up going there by boat quite often. I now live in the Boston area, but I certainly have many fond memories of Indian Lake!