Marblehead Lighthouse called one of most beautiful in the U.S.

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead Lighthouse has been named one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the United States by Travelmag.com, an online travel magazine.

Built in 1821 and put into service in 1822, the Marblehead Lighthouse has stood on the rocky shores of the Marblehead peninsula for more than two centuries, guiding ships through Sandusky Bay as well as offering breathtaking views of the Lake Erie Islands.

It’s said to be one of the most frequently photographed buildings in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Lighthouse called a gem on the lake

“It is truly a gem on the shores of Lake Erie for our village,” Marblehead Mayor Jacqueline Bird said.

The mayor gave credit to the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society and the State of Ohio for helping to maintain the lighthouse, its upkeep and the grounds.

“We are blessed to have the lighthouse in our village,” Bird said.

In fact, Bird was sworn into office in 2004 at the lighthouse, choosing it because it was such an important and special place for the community, she said.

Drawing large numbers of visitors from far and wide, the Marblehead Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes.

Over 1 million people visit lighthouse annually

The Marblehead Lighthouse is the second smallest, but one of the most popular State Parks in Ohio. About 25,000 visitors climb the tower each summer, but it's estimated that more than 1 million people visit the park each year.

Built from local limestone and covered in stucco, the tower with its multiple windows lays claim to having been featured on a U.S. postage stamp and on Ohio license plates.

Since the days of the early settlers of the “Firelands,” as the region was known, Marblehead has been a beacon of hope, and light, Bird said.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources established Marblehead Lighthouse State Park in 1998, celebrating 25 years this summer. The property includes the lighthouse tower, the replica lifesaving station and the 1880s-built Keepers house.

Over the years, 16 lighthouse keepers have served at Marblehead, along with many assistant keepers.  Marblehead boasts the first female keeper on the Great Lakes and has had two women maintain the light over the years.

Marblehead joins the ranks of iconic lighthouses such as Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (North Carolina), Puerto San Juan Light (Puerto Rico), and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse (Michigan), which are notable for their beauty but also because they are open to the public for visiting and tours, TravelMag.com said.

TravelMag.com is a leading online travel magazine that publishes articles and guides about destinations around the world.

For the full listing of lighthouses, visit: travelmag.com/articles/most-beautiful-lighthouses-united-states.

Want to visit?

Lighthouse tours begin Memorial Day weekend and run daily (weather permitting) from noon until 3:40 p.m. until Labor Day. Cost is $3 for anyone 6 and older. Cash only.

Climb the 77 steps to the top and see picturesque views of the bay, the islands and even Cedar Point.

For more information about the lighthouse, please visit marbleheadlighthouseohio.org.

Marblehead Lighthouse is at 110 Lighthouse Drive.

Can’t come in person? View the Lighthouse from a live web cam on the Shores and Islands Ohio website, shoresandislands.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Travelmag.com rates Marblehead Lighthouse