Marblehead Lighthouse
Marblehead Lighthouse, Lighthouse Dr, Marblehead, OH 43440, USA
Name and Location
Marblehead Lighthouse stands at the tip of the Marblehead Peninsula on Lake Erie in Ottawa County, Ohio, United States. Its address is 110 Lighthouse Drive, Marblehead, OH 43440.
Construction and History
Authorized by Congress in April 1820, construction began in 1821, and it was first lit around 1822. This lighthouse marks the second one built on the Great Lakes and remains the oldest continuously operating station on the lakes. Over the years, it has guided vessels through heavy ice and storms.
Architecture and Materials
The conical tower is built of dressed stone masonry, standing approximately 15 meters (49 feet) tall with a focal height of 20 meters above lake level. The original construction materials were native limestone, with interior floors and stairs made of masonry.
Light and Navigation
The lighthouse exhibits a light characteristic of Fl(1) Green 6 s, signaling one flash of green light every six seconds. Its range is 10 nautical miles, and it is charted on NOAA nautical charts for Lake Erie.
Accessibility and Visiting
Grounds are open year-round, with the tower available for guided climbs during certain seasons. The site features a small interpretive visitor center, picnic areas, restrooms, and parking on-site.
Notable Views and Landscape
The lighthouse sits atop a rocky point overlooking the western basin of Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay, offering 360-degree views of the lake, surrounding islands, and Marblehead State Park beach.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse was automated at an unknown date in the early 20th century. It is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard as Light 5250.
Further Information
(Note: No further information available for this section)
Details
| Name | Marblehead Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | Marblehead |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 41.5363989, -82.7117997 |
| Website | https://www.marbleheadlighthouseohio.org/lighthou |
| Year of construction | 1821 |
| Events | No major shipwrecks directly attributed to its failure |
| Historic significance | Second lighthouse built on the Great Lakes; oldest continuously operating Great Lakes station |
| Stories | Has guided vessels through heavy ice and storms for more than two centuries; no major shipwrecks directly attributed to its failure |
| Architectural style | Functional early-19th-century U.S. lighthouse design |
| Construction material | "Native limestone (original), masonry interior floors and stairs" |
| Focal height | 20 |
| Tower height | 15 |
| Access description | Accessible via Lighthouse Drive off State Route 163; parking available on-site |
| Accessible | true |
| Parking | true |
| Landscape type | Rocky point overlooking the western basin of Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay |
| View description | 360° views of Lake Erie, the Islands (including Johnson's Island to the east), Marblehead State Park beach |
| Guided tours | true |
| Facilities | Small interpretive visitor center, Picnic areas, Restrooms |
| Nearby attractions | ["Lakeside Marblehead historic district","Kelleys Island ferries","State Route 2 scenic drive"] |
| Light characteristic | "Fl(1) Green 6 s" |
| Light range | 10 |
| Automated | true |