Put-in-Bay in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Joseph (Jose) DeRivera St. Jurgo
(1813 1889)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 8, 2025
1. Joseph (Jose) DeRivera St. Jurgo Marker
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Jose DeRivera was born in Spain and became a successful businessman in New York City. In 1854, he purchased South Bass Island and five other islands for $44,000.00.
He encouraged settlement on the island and started the wine industry. DeRivera gave parcels of land for the Episcopal Church, the cemetery, and the first school. In 1866, he set up a Trust to operate this five acre park. DeRivera sold the park for $1.00 to the first trustees. The Trust continues to be operated by three trustees who are chosen to serve for life by the voters of South Bass Island.
Shortly after setting up the Trust, his business empire collapsed.
Jose DeRivera and his wife Josephine are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery on the island on the land that he had donated
* * Carved in a 200 year old oak tree by Matt Missey in 2018 * *
* * Trustees DeRivera Park Don Thwaite, George Stoiber, Kelly Faris * *
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 41° 39.183′ N, 82° 49.112′ W. Marker is in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and 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: Within This Enclosure (within shouting distance of this marker); Oelschlager's Dry Goods Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph De Rivera St. Jurgo, 1813-1889 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Doller House (about 700 feet away); The Light of Elizabeths Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Amareta Mosher Anchor
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 8, 2025
2. Joseph (Jose) DeRivera St. Jurgo Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 8, 2025
3. Marker in DeRivera Park
The oak tree carving is seen behind the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on July 25, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
