Marble Head, OH

Photographer: Keith W. Churill

MarbleHead Marblehead, OH
Built : 1821 Construction : Conical, brick Status : Active - Museum Location : Eastern tip of the Marblehead Peninsula, approximately 1 mile Southeast of Marblehead, Ohio. Height : 65 feet Access : Car

Lighthouse History : In 1821, this lighthouse was constructed of limestone from a nearby quarry in Marblehead, Ohio and went into service in 1822. The lantern used thirteen lamps and reflectors to light the beacon of the first lighthouse in Ohio. The original 50 foot tower had 15 feet added at the turn of the century along with a clock mechanism. A decagonal lantern housed the Third-Order Fresnel lens that omitted a flash every 10 seconds, visible for a distance of 16 miles (26km).

A keeper's house was constructed of field stone in 1823. In 1902, a new keeper's house was constructed next to the lighthouse. It is a two story house of Victorian-style. This house is now part of the Ohio Division of Parks and Recreation.

Over the lifetime of this lighthouse, more than 15 men and women served as light keepers. Benajah Wolcott was the first keeper. His wife Rachel took over the light keeping duties upon his death. George Mcgee was keeper from 1896 until his death when his wife also took over light keeping duties. In 1923, the lighthouse was converted to electric and automated in 1946.

It is still an active, automated aid to navigation guiding modern ships and pleasure boats around the Marblehead Peninsula and into Sandusky Bay. It's preservation is now part of the Ohio Division of Parks and Recreation and Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. The Ottawa County Historical Society now owns the original stone keeper's house which is located three miles from the lighthouse.

Call the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau at 800-441-1271 for event details and updated information or visit their web site listed in the community / travel section of our links page.