Lighthouses

The oldest lighthouse on Lake Erie's shore is the Marblehead Lighthouse.  It was built in 1821 on the Marblehead Peninsula and was the third built on Lake Erie.  It is the oldest continuously operating light on the Great Lakes.  The 65-foot tower is built from stone, and has hardly changed in its one-and-a-quarter century existence. In the late 1800s, the light was raised 10 feet from 55 to 65 feet with an additional window added, but otherwise it remains much the same as it did in 1821.

A fourth-order Fresnel lens allows it to display a flashing green light. The original Fresnel lens is on display at the Marblehead U.S. Coast Guard Station. Marblehead Lighthouse became the 73rd and newest state park in Ohio on May 15, 1998.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has maintained this lighthouse since 1972. Ownership was transferred from the Coast Guard in May 1998. The Coast Guard continues to operate and maintain the active beacon. The tower was renovated in 2001-2002 for $500,000.

Tower Height: 65    Height of Focal Plane: 67
Characteristic and Range: Green flash every six seconds, visible for 11 nautical miles.
Description of Tower: Conical white limestone tower with red trim and red lantern.
Other Buildings: 1880 two-story wood frame keeper's house, barn, outhouse.
Date Automated: 1958
Optics:  1858: Third order Fresnel lens (now on display in the keeper's house); now modern plastic optic.
Current Use: Active aid to navigation, attraction in state park.
Open To Public? Yes. 

The keeper's dwelling is used as a museum by the Ottawa County Historical Society.

Click here for a current picture of this tower.

  Cedar Point Lighthouse (not to be confused with the Sandusky Harbor Pierhead Light) is located on the Cedar Point Peninsula.  From 1853 to 1904 this lighthouse served as a rear range light.  This light is no longer operational.

The Huron Harbor Pierhead Lighthouse can be reached by walking along a rugged break wall.

The Vermilion Lighthouse is a replica of the original.  The lighthouse was originally built in 1877 and torn down in 1929.  This replica can be viewed up close.

The Toledo Harbor Lighthouse guards the entrance to the shipping channel from Lake Erie to the Harbor of Toledo, Ohio. The light went into operation in 1904.  This lighthouse is accessible only by boat, not visible from shore.

The Old Port Clinton Pier lighthouse is located on private land in Port Clinton, Ohio along the Portage River. This lighthouse has been moved from its original location and now serves as a "lighthouse" for a private marine.  Only the top portion has been saved but you can view it up close.

Lorain West Breakwater Lighthouse guards the harbor of Lorain.  It was built in 1917 by the Army Corps of Engineers.  It is presently owned by the Port of Lorain Foundation.  Commonly referred to by the citizens of Lorain as the "Jewel of the Port."  This lighthouse is visible from shore

Cleveland East Pierhead Light - visible from shore.  Some sources say the lighthouse was built as the Rochester (Genesee) East Pier Light in 1880 and was moved to the Cleveland East Pier in 1910.

Old Fairport Harbor Main Lighthouse was built in 1825.  Targeted for demolition, the locals appealed to save this light.  The light is now listed on the National Register of Historic Structures.  You can walk up to it; limited tours available.

The Ashtabula Lighthouse was built in 1836.  It was moved to its present location in 1916 and automated in 1976.  It stands 40 feet above the lake.  This lighthouse is only visible by boat.