Schoepfle Arboretum
After the death of Reverend C. H. Schoepfle in 1924, the Schoepfle property which had been acquired in 1882 was sold. In 1936 it was purchased by Otto Schoepfle and his family for a summer home and gardening spot. Following service in World War II, Otto decided he wanted to live in Birmingham instead of returning to Cleveland. In 1947 he was employed by the Chronicle Telegram in Elyria and is still with that newspaper. Meanwhile the Shoepfle property has been developed into an interesting garden with a good landscape.
In 1969 the property was given to the Lorain Metropolitan Park System to be preserved as a garden and arboretum. A life lease was retained in the deed.
The original land consisted of 8 acres. Adjoining land has been purchased and the place now is 21 areas. Its natural situation is very scenic. The park system has acquired additional river frontage that adjoins the Schoepfle parcel, thus preserving for posterity a portion of the beautiful Vermilion River Valley. The gardens have received several awards and are visited by many people when they are open, either on Sundays or on other days when reservations have been made.
Marriages may be made in heaven,
but man is responsible for the maintenance work.
Transcribed by Lowell Dunlap