Put-In-Bay in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Joseph De Rivera St. Jurgo, 1813-1889

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 25, 2011

1. Joseph De Rivera St. Jurgo, 1813-1889 Marker

Inscription. Entrepreneur and philanthropist Joseph (José) de Rivera was born in Barcelona, Spain, and built an import business in New York City. In 1854, he bought six Lake Erie Islands and had South Bass Island surveyed and subdivided into ten-acre lots. De Rivera traveled between New York and South Bass Island, initially turning Put-in-Bay into a sheep farm. He encouraged settlement on the island and its wine industry by helping German immigrants purchase land to plant vineyards. He donated five acres for this waterfront park, the site for the first school, and the land for the first church. To promote travel to the island, de Rivera opened the island's largest cave as a tourist attraction. He is buried in the island's cemetery, which is on land he donated for that purpose.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, De Rivera Park Trust, Lake Erie Islands Historical Soicety, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 13-62.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 41° 39.203′ N, 82° 49.014′ W. Marker is in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, in Ottawa

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County. Marker can be reached from Bayview Avenue (Ohio Route 357) west of Hartford Avenue. This historical marker is located near the public restroom facility, that is located in the middle of Perry Park, just off the waterfront, in the downtown business district. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Put in Bay OH 43456, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oelschlager's Dry Goods Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Amareta Mosher Anchor (about 400 feet away); First Ship-To-Shore Radio Broadcast (about 400 feet away); Within This Enclosure (about 500 feet away); The Doller House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Gibraltar Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jay Cooke Mansion (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Put-In-Bay.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 25, 2011

2. Joseph De Rivera St. Jurgo, 1813-1889 Marker

View looking south, of the historical marker with the downtown business district in the background.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 25, 2011

3. Joseph De Rivera St. Jurgo, 1813-1889 Marker

View of the historical marker looking southwest along one of Perry Park's walkways.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 25, 2011

4. Joseph De Rivera St. Jurgo, 1813-1889 Marker

View looking north, of the historical marker with the public restroom facility in the right background and the waterfront in the distant background.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 982 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 3, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.