Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Erie's Land Lighthouse
On Top Again
Time had taken its toll on the Land Lighthouse since the federal government decommissioned the beacon and ordered the lantern room removed and sent to a lighthouse in Ohio in 1899.
In 2003, the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority cleaned and re-pointed the tower and rebuilt the missing lantern room and watch deck. Now the tower is crowned by a new top that matches the original and a light once again glows from its top.
Fresnel Lense
A sculptural assemblage of brass and glass, designed and built in France, that projected the flame of an oil lamp 17 nautical miles out into the lake.
Lens Specifications:
Third Order Fixed Fresnel Lens.
Weight 1,985 pounds.
Height: 62.5"
Oil consumption per hour: 7 ounces.
The Mystery of the Missing Lens
Though there are rumors concerning its whereabouts, no one knows for sure what happened to the original Fresnel lens.
Lighthouse Time Line
2003
Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority completed major restoration of lighthouse.
2000
Archaeological excavation done in 1818 lighthouse location.
1999
Relighting ceremony commemorated 100 years anniversary of beacon removal.
1991
Wood replica
this page online
1978
Land Lighthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1976
Lighthouse tower cleaned and mortar joints re-pointed.
1934
City of Erie acquired Land Lighthouse and adjacent property.
1899
Lighthouse decommissioned a final time.
1885
Beacon relighted.
1884
Congress repurchased lighthouse and land.
1880
Beacon discontinued, lighthouse and land sold.
1872
Presque Isle Lighthouse constructed on Erie's peninsula.
1867/1866
Current lighthouse and keeper's cottage built for $33,000.
1858
Second lighthouse on site built of Milwaukee Brick. Its foundation failed after only eight years.
1818
Lighthouse completed. First U.S. lighthouse to shine on Great Lakes.
1812
Congress authorized construction of the first lighthouse, a 20-foot wooden tower, built on this site.
Battle of Lake Erie fought.
Seaway Trail Lighthouses
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 42° 8.63′ N, 80° 3.734′ W. Marker is in Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. Marker can be reached from Lakefront Drive east of Lighthouse Street when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Lakefront Drive, Erie PA 16507, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Erie Land Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Erie Land Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie Land Lighthouse Keepers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Native Legend of Presque Isle: "Sheltering Arm of the Great Spirit" (within shouting distance of this marker); The North Pier Head Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie's Maritime Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Erie Land Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); James N. Thompson Land Lighthouse Park (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
