Grand River (Fairport Harbor) Light facts for kids
| Location | 129 2nd St., Fairport Harbor, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°45′25.07″N 81°16′38.33″W / 41.7569639°N 81.2773139°W |
| Year first lit | 1871 |
| Deactivated | 1925 |
| Foundation | Dressed Stone, Timber/Piling |
| Construction | Sandstone & Brick |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Markings / pattern | Natural Berea Sandstone |
| Height | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Original lens | Third Order Fresnel - 1871 |
The Grand River (Fairport Harbor) Light is an old lighthouse located in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. It was built in 1871 to help ships find their way on Lake Erie. The lighthouse has a 60-foot tall tower and a separate house for the lighthouse keeper. In 1925, this light was turned off. A newer lighthouse, the Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light, took its place.
Today, the keeper's house is home to the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse. This was the first museum of its kind in the United States! Visitors can climb the lighthouse tower for amazing views of the harbor. The museum teaches about the lighthouse's history and the people who worked there. It also has cool exhibits like a special Fresnel lens and ship models. Some people even say a friendly ghost cat haunts the place!
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About the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse
The Grand River (Fairport Harbor) Light was very important for ships on Lake Erie. It helped them navigate safely into the harbor. The tower is 60 feet tall, which is about the height of a six-story building. It was built using strong sandstone and brick.
After the lighthouse was turned off in 1925, the Coast Guard thought about tearing down the tower. They wanted to use the keeper's house for their own staff. But local people loved their lighthouse! They wrote many letters and worked hard to save it. Because of their efforts, the tower was not destroyed. In 1945, the Coast Guard gave the lighthouse to the town of Fairport Harbor.
From Lighthouse to Museum
The keeper's house is now the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse. It was founded in 1945 by the Fairport Harbor Historical Society. This museum was the very first marine museum in the country!
Inside, you can learn all about lighthouses and the brave keepers who lived in them. There are exhibits about lifesaving equipment and life on the Great Lakes. You can see detailed ship models and other old maritime items. One special item is a Fresnel lens, which is a type of lens used in lighthouses to make the light very bright. There is also a gift shop where you can find souvenirs. A cool part of the museum is the old pilothouse from a Great Lakes ship called the Frontenac. It is attached right to the museum building!
The museum is open during certain times of the year. You can find it at 129 Second Street.
The Haunted Lighthouse Cat
The lighthouse and museum are said to be haunted by a friendly ghost. Legend says that a ghost cat lives there! Many volunteers and visitors have reported feeling a cat rub against their legs. But when they look down, no cat is there! It's a fun and mysterious part of visiting the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse.
Location of the Lighthouse
The Grand River (Fairport Harbor) Light is easy to find. It is located at the corner of Second and High Streets in the village of Fairport Harbor.
See also
