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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 127
is on the Alilan road leading from Sandusky; also a handsome and substantial
dwelling of Queen. Anne style for the use of the superintendent.
As this place is the burying ground of Sandusky, as well as Perkins
Township, it is visited by many people almost every day in the year.
The Erie County Infirmary Farm adjoins the cemetery on the west.
The main building, which is of blue limestone, presents an imposing
and handsome appearance. It Avas built in 1886, at a cost of about
$40,000, to replace one destroyed by fire the Avinter of 1885-86. The
building is heated by steam, and is as near fireproof as it AA'as known
how to make it at that time. Of recent years a eonA'enient and Avellequipped
hospital has been added.
The Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home is located in section 2, south
of the cemetery. The AA'ork of building Avas begun in 1887. The buildings
are of stone, with brick partitions and slate roofs, of handsome
designs and substantial character. The buildings are set in a large and
beautiful park, Avith a cemetery adjoining, and this institution sometimes
accommodates as many as 1,500 veterans at one time.
The agricultural interests of the township are flattering. The soil is
of the richest quality, well underdrained, and is adapted to raising all
kinds of crops. The limestone soil produces a good yield of wheat, while
on the ridges a variety of crops is raised, the principal one being potatoes,
of which, during a favorable season, thousands of bushels are produced.
On the prairie soil corn and oats are mostly raised. Large 'quantity's of
apples, peaches, grapes, strawberries and other small fruits are raised
and shipped.
The shipping of moulding sand is an important business. This sand
is found only on the sandy ridges before mentioned, and is of the finest
quality. It is found just below the soil, which is usually about one foot
in depth. The soil is first removed and placed at one side, after which
the sand is taken out and the soil replaced, Avhich leaves the land in
good condition. Hundreds of tons are annually shipped to all parts
of the United States. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, AA'hich passes
through the central part of the toAvnship, furnishes an excellent shipping
point, known as Greene's Station, about four miles from Sandusky.
From here a large share of the sand is shipped, also quantities of
produce.