Ohio Lighthouses - Port Clinton

Port Clinton Lighthouse. 10/8/2025 dwm

 The Port Clinton lighthouse is easy to overlook. 

 If you look closely at the Lake Erie shoreline while driving west on highway 163, it should be easy to spot.

 The 26-foot tower is the port's second lighthouse, built in 1896 at the end of the city's west pier to guide ships into the Portage River where it empties into Lake Erie. 

 According to the account on the website for the light named for the city, it was in operation 30 years. 

The light was decommissioned in 1926 but stood on the pier until the owner of the local marina took the light and kept it 60 years.

This style of lighthouse is known as a "pepperpot." 10/8/25

It sat along the river until 2010, when its owner decided it belonged on the lake and should be owned by the community.

From that the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy was born. Leaders and members raised money to restore it, finishing the work in 2016 when it was moved to the location you see in the pictures.

The community's first light was lost to history. It was 40-feet tall, built of stone in 1833 with 11 lanterns and reflectors. It was decommissioned in 1856 and torn down 

The website introduced a new term, to me, for the Port Clinton light, a "pepperpot" and made of wood. It's 130 years old, and thought to be the oldest surviving light of its kind on the Great Lakes. 

The light is open to the public on Summer Sundays, but Waterworks Park provides a nice home for the Port Clinton light with paths to walk and 16 benches where you can sit and take in the beauty.

Not too far offshore is South Bass Island where Americans beat the British during the War of 1812.

The lantern room atop the Port Clinton lighthouse. 10/8/2025 dwm

Port Clinton Lighthouse on Lake Erie. 10/8/2025 dwm photo