Port Clinton in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Port Clinton Light Station

Photographed by Craig Doda, October 10, 2020

1. Port Clinton Light Station Marker

Inscription. One of the earliest lighthouses on Lake Erie, Port Clinton's first lighthouse was a forty-foot split-stone tower erected at mouth of the Portage River in 1833. A detached stone dwelling provided living quarters for the lighthouse keeper and his family. This light was discontinued in 1870 due to it's poor location and a lack of river traffic, but a growing fishing and tourism industry in the late 19th Century led to the rerouting of the river and construction of a new lighthouse in 1896. This pier light ensured safe passage in and out of the Portage River, a kerosene lamp and fifth order Fresnel lens providing a fixed red light visible for eight miles. A two-story wood home replaced the old stone dwelling, and a boathouse was built at the south end of the east pier to facilitate access to the lighthouse. Converted to electricity in 1926, the light continued to operate until 1952. Although the keeper's dwelling and boathouse have not survived, the old 1896 lighthouse was meticulously restored by the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy and moved to this site in 2016. It stands today as the last remaining timber-frame

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lighthouse on Lake Erie, a living testament to a colorful maritime past.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 41° 30.901′ N, 82° 56.072′ W. Marker is in Port Clinton, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is on W. State Route 163, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Clinton OH 43452, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Lightkeepers" (within shouting

Photographed by Craig Doda, October 10, 2020

2. Port Clinton Light Station Marker

distance of this marker); Keeper's Boathouse (within shouting distance of this marker); American Expedition 1813 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); War of 1812 (about 500 feet away); This Millstone (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle Of Lake Erie Gun (approx. 0.2 miles away); This Anchor (approx. ¼ mile away); Indian Mill Stone (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Clinton.

Photographed by Craig Doda, October 10, 2020

3. Port Clinton Light Station Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, October 10, 2020

4. Port Clinton Light Station Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 505 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.