'Last Stop Willoughby' stands as 'last fling' before summer's end

Aug. 12—Since 2008, COVID-19 notwithstanding, Downtown Willoughby has marked its "Last Stop Festival" with a collection of artifacts and displays highlighting its rich rail-riding DNA.

This year, the 14th overall, certainly was no exception.

Hosted by the Heart of Willoughby, the community fête offered several standards of fair fun, including an expanded Kids Zone at Wes Point Park, food trucks, the Willoughby Outdoor Market, and, of course, its signature parade, which kicked off from Willoughby South High School.

The annual party used to take place on the third Saturday in August, but because students began going back to school earlier in the month, it was moved to the second Saturday.

"This is a fun family event, and we to keep encouraging people to participate in this last fling before summer ends," Heart of Willoughby President Greg Patt said. "Every year, we work to bring in more things, and this year we've added a foam machine and an axe-throwing game.

"We also brought in David Zinn, an international artist, as part of the Third Annual ChalkFest, held by the Willoughby Arts Collaborative," he added. "Zinn is one of eight who've been assigned spaces on buildings and sidewalks and will choose the best entry."

The Collinwood Engine 999 from the Painesville Railroad Museum, a built-to-scale steam-drivable replica, also remains a staple of the festivities, fulfilling its usual role as a conversation piece for adults and an object of wonder for youths.

"This was the first train to set a speed record of over 100 miles per hour," Patt said.

Loosely based on a "Twilight Zone" episode titled "A Stop at Willoughby," which first aired on May 6, 1960, the Last Stop bash also featured continuous screenings of the presentation at the Willoughby Public Library.

According to Patt, Rod Serling, creator of the science fiction horror anthology series, was fascinated by small towns and drew his inspiration for the episode from Willoughby.

"His daughter even served as our parade marshal once, years ago," Patt said.

The library also presented a video centered on the Cleveland, Painesville and Eastern Trolley system, an interurban line that carried passengers across the region.

Originally, Willoughby served as the headquarters for the trolleys that ran in Cleveland, which remains in Downtown Willoughby.

Patt added the barn where trolleys would be repaired was located at the former Willoughby Brewing Co. spot.

"And there are still pieces of trolley tracks under the roads and when the waterline was (recently) replaced, every once in a while, the workers would come up with one," Patt said.

Along with pop culture and glimpses into daily commutes of the past, deep, additional historic ties of Last Stop took center stage as the Willoughby Historical Society featured a float commemorating the invention of the stop light.

"This really is a year of celebration, as it marks the centennial (Nov. 20) of the three-position-colored traffic signal invented by my grandfather, Garrett A. Morgan, which was granted (license) by the U.S. Patent Office," said Sandra Morgan of Cuyahoga County.

Models of the light are on display at the Western Reserve Historical Society, the National Museum of American History — Smithsonian Institution and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

The Cleveland inventor, businessman and entrepreneur also obtained a patent in 1912 on his safety hood device, a precursor to the modern gas mask, which would later serve as the blueprint for protective equipment used in World War I.

Morgan is also recognized by Cleveland Fire Department as it recently decommissioned Engine 21, the Fire Tug Anthony J. Celebrezze, named for the former mayor, and commissioned Marine 21, the G.A. Morgan.

Earlier this summer, Collision Bend Brewing Co. released "Aft the 'Brezze" Red Ale — noting the watercraft's honorary designation transition — which bears Morgan's image in tribute.

"Firemen consider him one of their heroes," Sandra said, "as his mask proved to be an early and effective tool. It's so special to be here in Willoughby, too, because our family is far-flung in Arizona, California, Florida and elsewhere, and we thank the city, as it was the first partner to have the signal tested."

Willoughby Mayor Bob Fiala noted the character of Last Stop remains a showcase for community and regional members and organizations to display their collective history.

"It also signals a farewell to our summer events," he said.