Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Nowy Port Lighthouse
Gdansk, Poland - 31 October 1893
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 8, 2026
1. Nowy Port Lighthouse Marker, Side One
In 1893, a delegation from Gdansk, Poland, visited Cleveland on their way to the World Exposition in Chicago. There, the group saw the Cleveland Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1873 and known as one of the most impressive American lighthouses in history. The Gdansk Nowy Port lighthouse, designed with inspiration from Cleveland's Harbor Lighthouse, went into operation later that year. It still stands proudly today as historical monument after a 2004 restoration.
The lighthouse featured a time ball at the top of the tower. This important instrument allowed crews at sea to synchronize their chronometer so they could accurately calculate the geographic longitude of their ship.
Gdansk and Cleveland have had a long history of immigration and cultural exchange. In 1990, under Mayor Michael R. White, Cleveland officially established its Sister City relationship with Gdansk. Polish immigration is critical to Cleveland's history and growth, with Polish people making up the one of the largest ethnicity's in Northeast Ohio. The lighthouse is just one example of the vibrant connection between Cleveland and our Sister City.
Lighthouses have existed for centuries to keep seafarers safe from harm. On land, they remind us of the warmth and light in our hearts for those who are away. This plaque is dedicated to our Polish and
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 41° 30.03′ N, 81° 42.126′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. It is on Cleveland Memorial Shoreway north of West Lakeside Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 299 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland OH 44114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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: Warehouse District Anthology (here, next to this marker); Peter Weddell / Levi Johnson / Charles Otis (here, next to this marker); The Early Years (here, next to this marker); Lighthouse Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Surveyors' Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); William Bingham (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hardware Industry (about 600 feet away); The Garment Industry (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 8, 2026
2. Nowy Port Lighthouse Marker, Side Two
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 8, 2026
3. Nowy Port Lighthouse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
