Marblehead Light (Ohio) facts for kids
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| Location | OH 163, Marblehead, Ohio |
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| Coordinates | 41°32′11.2″N 82°42′42.2″W / 41.536444°N 82.711722°W |
| Year first lit | 1822 |
| Automated | 1958 |
| Construction | limestone |
| Tower shape | Pyramidal frustum of a cone tower |
| Markings / pattern | White with red markings, parapet and roof |
| Height | Tower – 50 feet (15 m) |
| Original lens | Fresnel lens |
| Range | 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) |
| Characteristic | Green, flashes every 6 seconds |
The Marblehead Lighthouse in Marblehead, Ohio, United States, is a very old and important lighthouse. It has been helping sailors find their way along the rocky shores of the Marblehead Peninsula since 1822. This makes it the oldest lighthouse that is still working on the American side of the Great Lakes. It acts as an active aid to navigation, which means it helps ships know where they are and stay safe.
Contents
The Marblehead Lighthouse Story
Building a Beacon
In 1819, the U.S. government saw that ships on the Great Lakes needed help finding their way. They decided to build a lighthouse at the entrance to Sandusky Bay. In 1821, a builder named William Kelly, with help from local people, constructed the lighthouse.
The tower is 50 feet (15 m) tall and made from local limestone. Its base is 25 feet (7.6 m) wide, with walls that are 5 feet (1.5 m) thick. As the tower goes up, it gets narrower, becoming 12 feet (3.7 m) wide at the top.
The Lighthouse Keepers
Before machines took over, fifteen different people worked as lighthouse keepers. Two of these keepers were women! Their job was to make sure the light was always shining.
The first keeper was Benajah Wolcott, a veteran from the American Revolutionary War. He and his family moved into a stone house next to the lighthouse in 1821. Every night, he would light 13 whale oil lamps. These lamps had metal reflectors that helped make the light brighter and shine across the lake. Keepers also recorded passing ships, noted the weather, and helped organize rescues.
When Benajah Wolcott passed away in 1832, his wife, Rachel, took over his important duties. Later, in 1858, the whale oil lamps were replaced. A single kerosene lantern with a special Fresnel lens made the light much stronger. This curved glass lens created a bright, steady white light. In 1880, the original stone keeper's house was replaced with the larger wooden house you see today.
Modernizing the Light
Around the year 1900, new technology came to the lighthouse. The tower was made 15 feet (4.6 m) taller. A special clock-like machine was added to spin the lantern. This made the light flash brightly every 10 seconds. The lighthouse keeper had to crank weights every three hours all night to keep the lantern turning. An even better Fresnel lens made the light shine even brighter.
In 1923, an electric light replaced the kerosene lantern. This made the light much more powerful. During World War II, the lighthouse became very important for national defense. The last civilian keeper left, and the United States Coast Guard took over in 1946.
The lighthouse light became fully automatic in 1958. This meant no keeper was needed to operate it. The outside of the tower also got a fresh coat of stucco that year.
Since 1972, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has taken care of the land around the lighthouse. In 1998, they became the owners of the lighthouse tower itself. The U.S. Coast Guard still keeps the light working. In 2012, an LED light was installed. Its green light flashes every six seconds and can be seen for 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) (about 13 miles). The green color helps sailors tell it apart from airplane lights.
A Special Stamp and Renovations
In 1995, the Marblehead Lighthouse was honored with its own postage stamp. It was one of five lighthouses chosen for the "Lighthouses of the Great Lakes" series. Each of the Great Lakes had one lighthouse featured.
Between 2001 and 2002, the state spent $500,000 to fix up the tower and the keeper's house. In 2004, the original Fresnel lens was brought back to the lighthouse station. It had been on display at the Marblehead Coast Guard Station.
Visiting Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
What to See and Do
Today, the lighthouse is part of the 9-acre (3.6 ha) Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. This park is a great place for families to visit. It has picnic tables and offers amazing views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island, and South Bass Island.
The Marblehead Lighthouse Museum is located in the old keeper's house. The Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society runs the museum. Inside, you can see exhibits about the lighthouse, a Fresnel lens, and how people used to harvest ice. You can also learn about ice fishing, local boats, fossils, and shipwrecks.
During the summer, you can take tours inside the lighthouse tower. The museum is open when these tours are happening.
Lighthouse in Pop Culture
In May 2010, the band Owl City featured this lighthouse in their music video. It was for their popular song "Vanilla Twilight".
The Lifesaving Station
A lifesaving station was first built near the lighthouse in 1876. These stations were very important for rescuing people from shipwrecks. Lucien Clemons, a local hero, was the first commander. He and his brothers once saved two sailors from a shipwreck in 1875.
In 2016, a new building was constructed in the State Park. It is a replica of the 1876 U.S. Lifesaving Station. This museum is close to the lighthouse. It has many exhibits and a fully restored 27-foot Coast Guard rescue boat. The boat even has its own launching railway!
