Marblehead Lighthouse celebrating 200th year
MARBLEHEAD — For two centuries, Marblehead Lighthouse has been a towering mainstay along Lake Erie's shoreline.
Since its construction in the early 19th century, the lighthouse has provided a steady beacon and landmark for sailors and served as a popular subject for photographers and painters.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is hosting a series of events this year to honor Marblehead Lighthouse's bicentennial anniversary, beginning Saturday with "Legacy on the Lake: Celebrating 200 Years of the Marblehead Lighthouse."
Sarah Wickham, ODNR's chief of communications, said the Legacy on the Lake celebration will be held from 12-4 p.m. at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park.
Wickham said there will be entertainment, food trucks, birthday cake, games, giveaways, ODNR naturalists with some of the area's wild animal friends, a touch-a-truck, Smokey Bear, free lighthouse tours, and other activities.
She said the lighthouse continues to be a popular spot for visitors traveling to Ottawa County.
"Each year, more than 25,000 people climb to the top of the lighthouse, but we estimate more than 1 million visitors come to the park every year," Wickham said.
Wickham said Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, has guided sailors safely along the rocky shores of Marblehead Peninsula since 1822.
In 1819, the 15th U.S. Congress recognized the need for navigational aides along the Great Lakes, and set aside $5,000 to construct a light tower at the entrance to Sandusky Bay. Contractor William Kelly built the 50-foot tower of native limestone on the tip of the Marblehead Peninsula. The base of the tower is 25 feet in diameter, with walls five feet thick. It narrows to 12 feet at the top with two-foot thick walls.
Throughout its history, 15 lighthouse keepers, two of whom were women, have tended the beacon.
ODNR has maintained the property surrounding the lighthouse since 1972 and accepted ownership of the Marblehead Lighthouse tower in May 1998.
The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate and maintain the lighthouse beacon. Today's technology features a new LED light projecting a green signal that flashes every six seconds and is visible for 11 nautical miles.
Additional Marblehead Lighthouse bicentennial events this summer include:
Ohio State University Alumni Band concert, June 11.
Moonlight Serenaders Big Band concert, June 18.
200th Birthday Party, June 22.
Firelands Symphony Orchestra concert, July 2.
Dan May concert, July 16.
Island Song Trio concert, July 30.
Coast Guard Birthday, Aug. 4.
Moonlight Serenaders Big Band concert, Aug. 6.
Fostoria Lake Plains Chorus concert, Aug. 28.
The Marblehead Lighthouse, lifesaving station, keeper's house and gift shop are open daily from 12-4 p.m. from May 28 to Sept. 5.
There may also be extended hours in conjunction with some of the lighthouse's special events.
Tickets for climbing the lighthouse are $3 cash. The last tour begins at 3:40 p.m.
More information can be found at marbleheadlighthouseohio.org.
dacarson@gannett.com
419-334-1046
Twitter: @DanielCarson7
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Marblehead Lighthouse celebrating 200th year
