Fairport Harbor in Lake County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Spirit of Finland

A Sculpture Honoring Our Finnish Heritage

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

1. Spirit of Finland Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The rising S-shaped forms are reminiscent of the collective Spirit of our Finnish immigrant ancestors who live on in our memories. They also recall words meaningful to our Finnish heritage: Suomi, Sauna, Sisu, Sibelius, Swan.

The arch brings to mind The Land of the Midnight Sun... the country our ancestors left to pursue opportunities in America.

The curve at the base of the sculpture symbolizes a wave, reminding us of the thousands of lakes in Finland and the shore of Lake Erie at Fairport Harbor, where many Finnish immigrants made their home.

The Finns
They voyaged so very far,
Leaving friends and homeland dear.
Guided by the brilliant North Star,
They came with heart and hand.

They labored hard as they arrived,
To build, create and explore.
Quietly, they laughed and thrived
In private homes with open doors.

Like soul-mated swans, fairly true,
They soared beyond their worldly cares.
On powerful, angelic wings, they flew,
Contented with this wondrous place.

Below, sparkling waters glowed bright,
Magically inspired by every setting sun.
Oh, much was fulfilled, so much left to try,
Tomorrow's work to be done.

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friends - Strong ties • Vanhat ystävät - Lujat siteet • Esa & Siiri Kangas, William, Karl, Eugene, Lillian, Ruth, Edith, Robert, Helen, Ronald • John & Aili Leivo, Merja, Kalervo, Katri • Heikki & Irja Pertti, Tiina, Kira, Joni • Matti & Raili Lehtonen Family; Jacob I. Honkala Family • Oscar & Aini Hill, Brooks & Helen, Judith, Brookes, Robert, Joann, Thomas • Dr. Amy Kaukonen, Fairport Harbor Mayor 1922-23, 1st Ohio Female Mayor, 2nd Woman Mayor in U.S.A. • John & Laini Makela, Martin • Dedicated July 6, 2003 to celebrate and honor all Finnish heritage families. • Jalmar O. & Tehilla, Nieminen, Toivo, Anna, William, Allan, Onni, Lillian, Helmi • Alexander & Maria Saari, Jacob, Hilia, Alma, Lina, Richard, Lillian, Ralph, Raymond, Mildred, Ruth • Serena & Jacob Pohto, Toivo, J. Oliver, Mary, Lila, Carl, A. Rachel, Ruth • W. I. Myllymaki Family • Jaakko Oskari & Jenny Praski Myllykoski • Michael & Maria Rinta, Eugene, Saga, Kerstin, Karen, Michael • Isaac Richard III & Hulda (Lillstrang) Lillback, Richard, Anna, Rudolph, Walfred, Fredolph, Everett, Miriam, Ruth, Delores, Harold • Morris & Hilda Potti, Robert • Isak & Anna Kupari, Eeli,

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

2. Spirit of Finland Marker

Ida, Anders, Hilja, Lyyli, Maria, Aino, Anna, Liisa, Ida • Aino & Olavi Rantala, Seppo Riku • Aleksandra & Maria Sironen, Aino, Elina, Lempi, Hilma, Walter, Selma, Matti, Arvit, Mary • Matt & Michael Malkamaki • Oinonen • Robert & Carol Potti, Robert, Edward, Lisa, Thomas • Monument Committee Kathy Cottage, Gene Kangas, Martti Lehtinen, John Leivo, Heikki Perttu, Leila Sayer • Paavo & Agnes Rauhala, Aaro & Aili Hall

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 6, 2003.

Location. 41° 45.33′ N, 81° 16.636′ W. Marker is in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of High Street and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on High Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 High St, Painesville OH 44077, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland,

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the

Finnish Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

3. Finnish Monument

Located at Fairport Harbor Veterans Memorial Park

Western World,

and in 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: Fairport is an Excellent Harbor (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Life Car (about 500 feet away); Fairport Harbor Lighthouse (about 500 feet away); Walking Tour of the Lighthouse Grounds (about 500 feet away); First Iron Warship in US Navy Foremast (about 500 feet away); Lighthouse View (about 600 feet away); Oil House (about 600 feet away); Fairport Harbor Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairport Harbor.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

4. Spirit of Finland Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

5. Spirit of Finland Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

6. Spirit of Finland Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

7. Spirit of Finland Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

8. Spirit of Finland Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

9. Spirit of Finland Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Last updated on June 21, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 14, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 21, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.