Lake Erie Lighthouses

Lighthouses are a thing of beauty, and in Ohio, we are lucky to have more than 20 of them on Lake Erie. In this article, I have picked the 12 best Lake Erie Lighthouses in Ohio.

About Lake Erie Lighthouses

The lighthouses on Lake Erie are a bit of a mixture. For example, some of these lighthouses can be visited both inside and outside. A few are not for visiting inside, however, they can provide breathtaking photographic opportunities. Ohio’s lighthouses have been keeping people safe and secure on the lake for many years.

All of the lighthouses are on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes! Not only can you see the lighthouses by land but you can also see them from the lake! If you want to travel the Great Lakes, check out Great Lakes Cruises. You will be in love with the views you see from the water, especially during May- September!

Map of Lake Erie Lighthouses

Ashtabula Lighthouse

This beautiful lighthouse was the last manned lighthouse on all of the Great Lakes. This lighthouse was manned by the US Coastguard until 1973. The lighthouse is located on the northern end of Ashtabula Harbor’s west breakwater. Different types of lighthouses have stood in this area since the 1830s. The current lighthouse was built in 1905 and it was also expanded and moved in 1916. Visitors can explore the local area in more detail and visit the Ashtabula Maritime And Surface Transportation Museum. The museum was originally the house of the lighthouse keeper.

The lighthouse is only accessible by boat.

• Address: 1071 Walnut Blvd., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
• Phone: 440-964-6847 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse

The Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse is located just north of the Cuyahoga River. This lighthouse has been in operation since 1911, however, there has been a signal station in this area since the early 1830s. This is a unique lighthouse as it has a peculiar spark-plug style design. As this lighthouse is based right on the shores of Lake Erie, it is common to see the icy waves blast against the lighthouse and freeze in the winter months. Photographers from miles around come to visit this lighthouse and take some fantastic snaps. The West Pierhead lighthouse initially stood alone, but as time went on, a fog signal building was also constructed next to it in 1916.

• Address: 2800 Whiskey Island Dr., Cleveland, Ohio 44102
• Website 

Conneaut West Breakwater Lighthouse

This lighthouse is a black and white steel lighthouse constructed in 1936. This current structure has replaced a series of structures built in this location. This lighthouse was bought by a private owner in 2011 and has remained privately owned ever since. As this is a private lighthouse, it is not open for visits or tours. 

• Address: 480 Lake Rd., Conneaut, Ohio 44030
• Website | Facebook | Instagram

Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse

This lighthouse has a 42-foot tower and is located at the mouth of the Grand River. It was built in 1925 to replace another historic lighthouse that is still standing today, however, it has long since been decommissioned. Visitors can walk on the breakwaters and take in some lovely views.

• Address: Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44060
• Website | Facebook | Instagram
• This lighthouse can also be accessed via Headlands Beach State Park

Video of drone footage of Fairport Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse:

Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse

This lighthouse and Museum is a 40-minute drive East of Cleveland. The 60-foot-tall lighthouse was built in 1871, replacing the original structure that had stood in this place. Visitors can climb to the top of this lighthouse to enjoy some amazing views. There are over 70 stairs to the top.

There is also a museum founded at the end of WWII in 1945 and was at the time of its founding, the only Museum on the Great Lakes.  The Museum has Native Indian artifacts on show found in this area in the early 1900s. Of course, there are also nautical artifacts in the museum. Outside the Museum is the main mast of the USS Michigan, the US Navy’s first iron-hulled ship.

• Address: 129 Second St, Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
• Phone: 440-354-4825 | Website | Facebook

South Bass Island Lighthouse

This lighthouse was built in 1897 in the southwest area of South Bass Island, also not much has changed with this lighthouse since it was constructed. Visitors can tour the grounds in daylight hours all year round. The lighthouse itself is used by Ohio State University and tours are only offered periodically. When tours do take place, visitors can learn about the history of the island and climb the tower stairs for a view of Put-in-Bay and the surrounding waters of Lake Erie. 

• Address: 2368 Langram Rd., Put in Bay, Ohio 43456
• Phone: 419-285-1800 | Website 

Huron Harbor Lighthouse

The Huron Harbor Lighthouse is located at the end of North Main Street in Huron Park and it was built in 1939. It stands alongside a stunning pier and this offers some of the best views of Lake Erie. The pier is a mile long and is open to the general public. This pier is a popular fishing location and is also an ideal photography spot, as well as a good birdwatching outlook.

• Address: North Main Street, Huron, Ohio 44839
• Website 

Toledo Harbor Lighthouse

The Toledo Harbor lighthouse is situated 5 miles north of Maumee Bay State Park. The lighthouse sits on a 20-foot-deep stone crib in Lake Erie. This lighthouse was opened in 1904 and it was manned by the US Coast Guard until the mid-1960s. The ownership of the site was transferred from the Federal Government to the Toledo Lighthouse Preservation Society in the early 2000s. This organization has been raising money since it acquired the lighthouse for renovation. Visitors who want a close-up view of the lighthouse will need to rent a boat as this lighthouse is based offshore.

• Address: 1750 Park Rd #2 Oregon, Ohio 43616
• Phone: 419-367-1691 | Website | Facebook 

Lorain Harbor Lighthouse

Lorain Harbor Lighthouse is known as the “Jewel of the Port” as it is a gorgeous focal point. This lighthouse was completed in 1919. The lighthouse is unusual, as it is lit at the base of the lighthouse and not at the top like most other lighthouses. This lighthouse was decommissioned in the late 1970s and was threatened with demolition. A local organization bought the deeds to the lighthouse and it was saved. It has taken the organization a lot of time and effort to renovate this lighthouse. The lighthouse hosts some events and in the summer months, visitors can take a boat across to the lighthouse.

• Address: 1 West Breakwater, Lorain, Ohio 44052
• Phone: 440-960-2301 | Website | Facebook 

Port Clinton Lighthouse

This is a pepperpot light and is only 20-foot tall. This Pepperpot lighthouse stands on the shore next to Port Clinton waterworks. This lighthouse was built towards the end of Victorian times in 1896. In the 1950s, a second lighthouse was built and the US Coastguard wanted to demolish it. A local Marina owner bought the structure and decided to relocate it to his property and it was there for over 50 years. In 2012, the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy moved the structure to storage. It has since been restored and moved to the Waterworks parks.

• Address: 1868 E. Perry St, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-797-2504 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Marblehead Lighthouse

The Marblehead Lighthouse has been helping sailors on Lake Erie since 1822. This 200-year-old lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. This is also one of the very few lighthouses in Ohio that allow visitors to ascend to the top. Those who take the guided tour can climb the 77 stairs to the top. The views at the top are delightful and it is possible to see Cedar Point and South Bass Island.

There are two museums at this lighthouse. The Keeper’s House offers visitors a chance to learn about local history, and the Marblehead Room talks about local life. Visitors can also observe the replica of the 1876 US lifesaving station. The museum also has a restored lifesaving boat. Outside the museum is also a small grassy area where people can take food and drinks.

• Address: 110 Lighthouse Dr, Marblehead, Ohio 43440
• Phone: 419-734-4424 | Website | Facebook 

Vermilion Lighthouse

The city of Vermilion was once known as the “Village of Lake Captains”. This area has historic homes that were used by the boating community which are still standing today. The Vermilion lighthouse pays tribute to the area. The current structure is a replica of the original lighthouse that stood in this area. The original was built in 1877 and it was removed in 1929. The city was then without any form of lighthouse for a long time. The local community raised enough money to build a replica in 1991. This replica is fully operational and it is a tribute to the local area, as well as used as a navigational tool.

• Address: 480 Main St., Vermilion, Ohio 44089
• Phone: 440-204-2400 | Website 

Let’s Visit Lake Erie Lighthouses!

Have you visited any of the lighthouses on Lake Erie in Ohio? Did you particularly enjoy any of them? Leave a comment below, we would love to hear about your experience!

If you love the Lake Erie area, be sure to check out our articles on Things To Do In Port Clinton, Things to Do in Put in Bay, and Things To Do In Toledo!

If you are looking for more adventure, check out our post about Urban Air Dublin!