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Statement of significance
Applicable National Register Criteria 1870 - 1935 William Wild ? its association with the wine-growing industry of the Lake Erie islands region. The Lake in the Lake Erie islands region. The complex is also eligible under Criteria C as an excellent example of the mid to late 19th century vernacular architecture found on South Although California has long been the predominant wine-producing state, Ohio led the among the top two or three states weil into the 1900's.' The first major Ohio wine-growing region was centered in the Ohio River Valley around Cincinnati. However, when these southern Ohio vineyards were decimated by rot, mildew and other horticultural diseases in Viticulture and the Lake Erie Islands region were ideally suited for one another.
The islands' low annual rainfall and porous, limestone soil were conducive to grape growing. annual income from a 10 acre vineyard as a farmer engaged in general agriculture could from a 100 acre farm. 4 highly successful and soon became the leading industry on South Bass, displacing fishing and general agriculture. Of 66 heads of household listed in an 1874 atlas, 49 listed grape- growing among their occupations. By 1878 some 71 grape-growers were cultivating over 550 of the island's 1380 acres. [x See continuation sheet 1872 Architecture Significant Dates ing materials. farm- Significant Person State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. a small amount of acreage.
It was said that a grape-grower could generate as great an From a temperature standpoint the islands also benefit from the moderating influence of risk of a late killing frost while the warm fall breezes lessened the chance of rot and Industry/Agriculture stead is representative of the sma1l 10-20 acre family wine-growing farms which were common Lake Erie.
