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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 407
Phylloxera did not trouble the earlier grape growers as it does those
of the present time; and for some years there appeared to be nothing
in the way of discouragements. So promising, indeed, was the outlook
that land which in 1845 could be purchased for $15 B an acre, was sold
within a l'ew^ears at from $500 to $1,000 an acre, usually paying good
interest on the investment.
In 1854 Mr. Carpenter built a wine cellar 30 by 90 feet, but this was
soon outgrown, and in 1859 he commenced one in a seam between lime
rocks in his quarry. He made the second cellar 36 by 123 feet, and covered
it with a stone arch 16 feet high. The Kelleys Island Wine Company
was formed in 1866. Renting Mr. Carpenter's cellar for a few
years, they found the business so profitable that they purchased it later
on and created a main building 82 by 128 feet and three stories in height.
The present large cellars are crowded to their utmost capacity, and sale
for the product, is found in all the leading cities of this country.
The grape interests nearer Sandusky did not begin a general development
until about 1860 or 1861, most dates being approximately fixed
by those AVIIO depend on memory for their statements at "about the commencement
of the great Civil war." Grape planting on a large scale
began, we may say, in Erie County at Kelleys Island, and on the mainland
east of Sandusky, in what is known as the '' big field.'' From these points
it spread toward the west side of Sandusky, and in many other directions,
but in no case extending back to any great distance from the water,
which is the great climatic equalizer that makes grape culture a success.
Wines made from the grapes upon the islands and along the south
shore; of Lake Erie have a country-wide reputation and are sold everywhere.
The wine industry is one of the more important of the city and
its products go to all parts of the country wherever Avines are used.
Fifteen individuals, firms and corporations are engaged in the manufacture
of this product, and all of them are prosperous. In addition,
two other concerns are exclusively engaged in the preparation of unferniented
grape juice, which is rapidly becoming a popular beverage.
Whether the extensive manufacture of wines in this district was due
to the number and excellence of the grapes grown, or the vineyards are
the result of the foundation of the original Avineries, is a somewhat
mooted question among old residents. But the fact remains that the
culture of the grapes and their conversion into beverages have united here
to the general prosperity of the community and its surrounding neighborhood.
It is estimated that about 15,000 tons of grapes are annually pressed
into wine and grape juice in Sandusky each year. The grapes are
grown mainly on the adjacent islands of Lake Erie, and some of the")
wines are made there, but the shore vineyards produce an equally fine
quality of fruit and the acreage is being constantly increased. The varieties
mostly used for Avine making are the Catawba and Delaware grapes,
which reach their highest perfection in this climate.
The city's annual output of Avines is about 5,000,000 gallons. This