Funds were appropriated for a lighthouse at the entrance to Sandusky Bay on Lake Erie in 1819, and the limestone tower went into service in 1822. It was originally known as the Sandusky Light; the name Marblehead came into use later. The tower was raised 15 feet to its present height of 65 feet in 1898 and the light was automated in 1958. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources now owns the lighthouse tower, while the Coast Guard continues to maintain the active navigational light.
The lighthouse is now part of nine-acre Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. The Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society operates a museum in the old keeper’s house, with exhibits on the history of the lighthouse and the local area. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse for spectacular views of Lake Erie and its islands.
Above left: The reconstructed lifesaving station. Above right: The keeper’s house. Courtesy of the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society.
A replica of an 1876 lifesaving station was completed on the park grounds in 2016, and a renovation of the lighthouse tower was completed last year. The annual Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival is coming up on October 9, and Marblehead Light Station is celebrating its 200th anniversary next year. Dennis Kennedy is the president of the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society.
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U.S. Lighthouse Society Historian Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of 24 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is a past president of the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s weekly podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org
Excellent interview and presentation. Thanks to The Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society, volunteers, and especially Dennis Kennedy for their hard work.
Great interview !
We will be going to the Marblehead Lighthouse Festival ♥️
Does the light house operate at night.
Marblehead Lighthouse has been closed all of 2021, except for a festival last week. I don’t know if there are ever nighttime tours. If you’re wondering whether the light still operates at night as an aid to navigation, the answer is yes. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate and maintain the navigational light itself.
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Will the museum and lighthouse be open on May 26, 2022? My sister and I will be in the area on the 26th and would love to visit.
Thanks,
Rebecca Smith
According to the Marblehead Lighthouse website, the season starts on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, which will be May 28. See https://www.marbleheadlighthouseohio.org/hours. You can email marbleheadlighthousehs@gmail.com for more information.
Is there a cost to go up into the lighthouse ? Is there official tours given?
The tour season starts on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, which will be May 28. See https://www.marbleheadlighthouseohio.org/hours.
There is a $3.00 (cash only) tour charge to climb the tower for adults and children age 6 or older. You can also email marbleheadlighthousehs@gmail.com for more information.