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| Battle of Lake Erie mural (Ottawa County Courthouse) |
With heritage dating back to long before the Civil War, when Native American tribes flourished in the area, the Lake Erie Islands Region is rich with historical artifacts, architecture and lore. The Battle of Lake Erie, a turning point of the War of 1812, took place just a few miles northwest of Put-in-Bay. The first railroad connecting Cleveland and Toledo made its way through Elmore, a central hub for mail and supplies.
Early commerce included commercial fishing, shipbuilding and lumbering near the lakeshore and the Portage River, peach orchards on Catawba and the Marblehead Peninsula and quarrying throughout the region. During prohibition, Port Clinton was home to numerous "rum-runners"' - speed boats carrying loads of illegal liquor into the U.S. from Canada.
Historical Attractions & Points of Interest
Antique Car Museum, 979 Catawba Ave., Put-in-Bay, 419-285-2405. This free museum displays a largecollection of antique cars, many of which can be seen at the weekly Sunday afternoon Antique Car Parades. Located at Perry’s Cave. Website
Battle Marker, War of 1812, South side of Bayshore Rd., Marblehead. This monument marks the site of the first War of 1812 battle on land in Northern Ohio.
Benajah Wolcott Keeper's House, 9999 E. Bayshore Rd., Marblehead. As the first keeper of the Marblehead Lighthouse, Benajah Wolcott lived in this home built by the same stonemason who built the lighthouse. Open for tours June 4 - August 31, Monday - Friday from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. and also May 12, July 14, and October 13. Website
Carroll Township Hall, 9977 Toussaint East Rd. (County Rd. 93), Oak Harbor. Built in 1880, this building has been restored with original items and period furnishings.
Elmore Depot and Mattie Heckman Log House, Rice St., Elmore, 419-862-2775. Built in the 1870's, this log home depicts pioneer life in the Firelands area. Open by appointment only.
Genoa's Brick Privy, 310 Main St., Genoa. This brick privy was built to serve Genoa's first school and is believed to be the only brick outhouse on the National Register of Historic Places.
Genoa Town Hall, 509 1/2 Main St., Genoa. A prized example of Victorian Gothic architecture with a restored Opera House on the second floor.
Harrison-Perry Embarkation Monument, Water Works Park, on the north end of Fulton St., Port Clinton. Marks the northern boundary of General Harrison's encampment before troops boarded Commodore Perry's ships during the War of 1812. Canons from the same war are located a short walk to the west in Waterworks Park.
Hotel Victory (remains), South Bass Island State Park, Put-in-Bay. Opened July 4, 1892, The Hotel Victory, with its 625 guest rooms and 1000-seat dining room, was the largest resort hotel in America and featured the first coed swimming pool. It burned to the ground August 14, 1919 and only the remains of the swimming pool are still visible today.
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| Guarding The Cemetery - Dianne Rozak Thompson |
Johnson's Island Confederate Officers Prison Cemetery, Gaydos Rd., off Bayshore Rd., Marblehead. Nearly 9,000 Confederate soldiers and civilians were housed at Johnson's Island Confederate Officers Prison. Visit the cemetery which honors those who remain. (Nominal causeway fee.)
Johnson's Island Museum and Information Center, 414 W. Main St., Marblehead. Exhibits inlcud a scale model of the Civil War POW prison and Prison Block No. 10, memorabilia from amusement parks and resorts that once operated on the island and artifacts tracing the history of limestone quarrying operations.
Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum, 441 Catawba Ave., Put-in-Bay, 419-285-2804. More than 100 years of nautical heritage comes alove a this 6,000 square foot museum. Admission is just $1 for ages 13 and over. Open May through October.
Lakeside Heritage Hall and Archive Buildiing, corner of Maple Ave. and Third St.., Lakeside. Learn the unique and colorful history of Lakeside, plus enjoy the museum's collection of Johnson's Island Confederate Officers Prison and Native American artifacts.
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| Marblehead Lighthouse - Brad Dolch |
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, 110 Lighthouse Dr. (off St. Rt. 163) Marblehead, 419-734-4424. The oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes, the Marblehead Lighthouse is open for tours Mon-Fri, May 30- Sept 1 from 1:00 pm to 4:45 pm and the second Saturday of the month, May through September from 10:0 am to 3:00 pm.
Mill and Grinding Stones, Adams & Perry Sts. and Adams & Second Sts., Port Clinton. The Indian millstone at Adams & Second Sts. was recovered from "Sandoski," an early Indian fort along Sandusky Bay. The Grinding Stone originated from the first gypsum plant in the early 1830's.
Ottawa County Courthouse, 315 Madison St., Port Clinton. Decorated with giant murals depicting Perry's victory during the Battle of Lake Erie and early area commerce, this beautiful 1901 courthouse features hand-painted ornamentation and a pink marble staircase.
Ottawa County Historical Museum, 126 W. Third St., Port Clinton, 419-732-2237. Learn about early fishing industries, fruit-growing , and maritime legends by visiting this museum. Call for hours.
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, 204 Main St., Genoa. This grotto is constructed of "tufa," a fossilized vegetation found in nearbly cold springs.
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial and Visitors Center 180 Toledo Ave., Put-in-Bay, 419-285-2184. 352-foot tall memorial commemorating Perry’s Victory over the British during the War of 1812. The elevator to the observation deck is open daily late-April through mid-October. Interactive displays, video theater, and gift shop.
Port Clinton Lighthouse, Brand's Marina, 451 W. Lakefront dr., Port Clinton. Constructed in 1874, this lighthouse guided vessels for 90 years. It is now located at a private marina. The public is welcome to visit the lighthouse, but please obey posted speed limit signs.
Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church, 114 E. Main St., Marblehead. Russians were the first to come to Marblehead and Kelleys Island to work in the limestone quarries. Their church, the second oldest Orthodox church in Ohio, was founded in 1898.
Stensen Mural, Perry and Jefferson Sts., Port Clinton. Beautiful "talking" mural depicts life along the Portage River throughout its history. A recorded story walks visitors through many of its features.
Whistling Bridge, Route 163, near Jet Express dock, Port Clinton. This double-leaf bascule bridge was dedicated in 1933. Decorated in art deco style, this bridge was the first in Ohio to be constructed with a battleship deck.
