Marblehead Light (Ohio) facts for kids
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| Marblehead Lighthouse | |
 Marblehead Light
Location in Ohio
Marblehead Light
Location in the United States
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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 |
| ARLHS number | USA-472 |
| USCG number | 7-5250 |
The Marblehead Lighthouse in Marblehead, Ohio, United States, is super special! It's the oldest lighthouse that's been working non-stop on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes. Since 1822, it has helped guide ships safely past the rocky shores of the Marblehead Peninsula. It's still an important guide for boats today!
Contents
Lighthouse History
Building the Tower
Back in 1819, the United States Congress saw that ships on the Great Lakes needed help finding their way. So, they set aside $5,000 to build a lighthouse. This lighthouse would be at the entrance to Sandusky Bay.
In 1821, a builder named William Kelly constructed the lighthouse. He used local limestone to build the 50-foot tall tower. The base of the tower is about 25 feet wide. It gets narrower as it goes up, ending at 12 feet wide at the top.
Lighthouse Keepers
Before the lighthouse became automated, 15 different people worked as lighthouse keepers. Two of these keepers were women! Their job was to make sure the light stayed on and guided ships.
The very first keeper was Benajah Wolcott. He was a veteran from the American Revolutionary War. He and his family moved into a stone house next to the lighthouse.
Every night, Benajah would light 13 whale oil lamps. These lamps had metal reflectors to help the light shine far across the lake. Keepers also kept records of passing ships and the weather. They even helped organize rescue efforts when ships were in trouble.
When Benajah died in 1832, his wife, Rachel, took over his duties. Later, in 1858, the whale oil lamps were replaced. A single kerosene lantern with a special Fresnel lens made the light much brighter and easier to see.
Changes Over Time
In 1880, the original stone keeper's house was replaced. A larger wooden house was built, which is the one you can see today.
Around the year 1900, new technology arrived. The lighthouse tower was made 15 feet taller. A clock-like machine was added to spin the lantern. This made the light flash brightly every 10 seconds. The keeper had to crank weights every three hours all night to keep it turning!
In 1923, an electric light replaced the kerosene lantern. This made the light even stronger. 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 automated in 1958. This meant no one had to live there to operate it anymore. The outside of the tower also got a fresh coat of stucco that year.
Modern Day Lighthouse
Since 1972, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has taken care of the land around the lighthouse. In 1998, they officially took ownership of the tower itself. However, the U.S. Coast Guard still operates the light.
In 2012, an LED light was installed. This green light flashes every six seconds. It can be seen from 11 nautical miles away! The green color helps sailors tell it apart from airplane lights.
The Marblehead Lighthouse is so famous that it was featured on a U.S. postage stamp in 1995. It was part of a series called "Lighthouses of the Great Lakes."
In 2001-2002, the state spent $500,000 to fix up the tower and keeper's house. In 2004, the original Fresnel lens was brought back to the lighthouse. It's now on display for visitors to see.
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
The lighthouse is now part of the 9-acre Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. This park is a great place to visit! It has picnic tables and offers amazing views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island, and South Bass Island.
Lighthouse Museum
The Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society runs the Marblehead Lighthouse Museum. This museum is located in the old keeper's house. Inside, you can learn all about the lighthouse and its history.
The museum also has exhibits on ice harvesting, ice fishing, and local shipping. You can see a replica of a Lifesaving Station. There are also displays about local fossils and shipwrecks.
You can take tours inside the lighthouse tower during the summer. The museum is open when the tours are happening.
Lifesaving Station Replica
In 2016, a replica of the 1876 U.S. Lifesaving Station was built in the State Park. This museum is near the lighthouse. It has many exhibits, including a restored 27-foot Coast Guard rescue boat. It even has the special railway used to launch the boat!
The band Owl City featured this lighthouse in their music video for the song "Vanilla Twilight" in May 2010.
