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Explore Ohio: Lake Erie Lighthouse Tour
Touring Lake Erie's many lighthouses Erie is a great way to spend a weekend if you're interested in Ohio's history. These structures might be relatively far from major cities like Columbus and Cincinnati, but they offer an intimate look into the state's maritime history that you won't get anywhere else. Check out the following stops on your lighthouse tour to make sure you see all of the best towers around Lake Erie.
Vermillion Lighthouse
480 Main Street, Vermilion, OH 44089
The Vermilion Lighthouse that currently sits on the city's Main Street Beach is a replica of the original lighthouse from the 1850s. The original was badly damaged by an ice storm in 1929 and could not be repaired, so it was replaced with a newer reconstruction.
The lighthouse stands 16 feet tall on the edge of a scenic embankment near where the Vermilion River empties into Lake Erie. Visitors cannot tour the inside of the tower, but you can spend as much time on the grounds as you please. This area has been a popular spot for marriage proposals among the locals for decades!
Port Clinton Lighthouse
West State Route 163, Port Clinton, OH 43452
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The Port Clinton Lighthouse was built in 1896 and is actually the second lighthouse erected at this location. After serving for over 50 years, the tower was moved to private property in 1952 before eventually being restored and placed back on the city shoreline in 2014.
The area around the Lighthouse tower is now known as Waterworks Park, a publicly accessible park with many amenities in addition to the tower. Both are maintained by the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy, or PCLC. The group offers public tours of the tower at certain times of the year, but visitors are always allowed to tour the grounds and spend time around the tower's base.
Huron Lighthouse and Fishing Pier
End of North Main Street, Huron, OH 44839
The Huron Lighthouse and Fishing Pier is one of the newer lighthouses on Lake Erie, built less than 100 years ago in the 1930s. It is currently maintained by the US Coast Guard as a working lighthouse on Huron's coastline.
While the lighthouse itself is not open to the public, the pier that leads up to it is. It's a favorite local fishing spot and one of the best spots in Ohio for birdwatching, so you might want to reserve some extra time during your trip if you enjoy either of these activities.
Marblehead Lighthouse
110 Lighthouse Drive, Marblehead, OH 43440
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The Marblehead Lighthouse was built in 1822 and is still in use today, making it the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on Lake Erie. The land it sits on is now known as Marblehead Lighthouse State Park and holds picnic areas, a gift shop, and a replica lifesaving station in addition to the tower.
Visitors can tour the lighthouse in the summer months and enjoy its upper deck's incredible view. The building's tall white base and bright red roof and railings make it a striking sight with great photo opportunities all year round.
Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse
End of Ashtabula Harbor Break Wall, Ashtabula, OH 44004
The Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1905 when the Ashtabula River breakwater was first constructed. When it was finally automated in 1973, it was the last manned lighthouse on the Great Lakes.
Today, the tower is cared for by the Ashtabula Lighthouse Restoration Society. This group runs the Ashtabula Marine Museum next door, which houses the lighthouse's old Fresnel lens and other equipment and memorabilia. Tours of the lighthouse are available as weather permits, and visitors are always welcome to walk around the grounds.
Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse
2800 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, OH 44102
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The Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse is just one of several Northeast Ohio lighthouses that were once used to illuminate the port of Cleveland. Built in 1911 and in use up until 2021, this lighthouse is best known for its tendency to become coated with ice during the area's frequent winter ice storms. When this happens, the tower takes on a charming fairytale-like appearance, making it a favorite photo subject at that time of year.
The sturdy-looking stone tower and adjacent keeper's house sit at the end of a long pier that isn't accessible to the public, meaning that it can only be observed on boat tours or from the mainland. Even at a distance, however, its eye-catching shape and intriguing history make it well worth a visit.
South Bass Island Lighthouse
2368 Langram Road, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456
Completed in 1897 after several years of construction, the South Bass Island Lighthouse is noteworthy for a few reasons. It's only accessible by ferry, making a trip to see it into an adventure in its own right. Unlike most lighthouses, its 60-foot tower is attached to a two-and-a-half-story brick house where the lighthouse keeper and his family would live.
Today, the lighthouse is owned by Ohio State University, and its attached building is used for academic research. It's the only known lighthouse in the country to be owned by an academic institution, and its unique shape makes it a must-see for anyone interested in Lake Erie's many lighthouses.
Fairport Harbor Lighthouse
129 2nd Street, Fairport Harbor, OH 44077
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The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouse towers in the area around Lake Erie. This 60-foot stone tower was in use from 1825 to 1925. After this, it was finally replaced by a new tower on the pierhead of the west breakwater.
Now, the lighthouse is carefully maintained by the Fairport Harbor Historical Society, a local group dedicated to preserving this piece of the town's past. The former lighthouse keeper's house right next to the tower now holds the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and its many artifacts. Be sure to stop by during your visit to the lighthouse to get a better appreciation of the building's historical context and purpose.
Light Up Your Life
Which of these lighthouses will you visit during your time around Lake Erie?
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