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CLEVELAND (WJW) — Lake Erie is no doubt a welcoming place for boating, fishing and swimming.
But how about this for a change of pace!
Dotted along the shoreline are dozens of beautiful and historic lighthouses, many of which you can find right here in Northeast Ohio.
They come in all different sizes, shapes and designs, each with its own storied history of guiding ships through the waters of Lake Erie.
While not all are open to the public, one thing is for sure – you can’t deny their unique beauty and picture-worthy landscapes.
Check out this list of some of the area’s most popular lighthouses:
MARBLEHEAD LIGHTHOUSE
It’s the oldest oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. It’s also one of Lake Erie’s most-photographed landmarks.
Located within Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, the native limestone tower was 50 feet-tall upon its completion in 1821.
“Between 1897 and 1903, the tower’s height was increased 15ft by the addition of a watchroom and new lantern room,” according to the Village of Marblehead’s website, featuring its famed lighthouse.
Modern technology is used in the lighthouse today, including a LED light projecting a green signal that flashes every six seconds and is visible for 11 nautical miles.
“Marblehead’s beloved beacon continues to shine and protect boaters from peril in Lake Erie’s unpredictable waters along her rocky shores,” the website states.
Click HERE for more on the lighthouse history, upcoming events and tours.
PORT CLINTON LIGHTHOUSE
The fully restored Port Clinton Lighthouse was originally built in 1896 and now sits on the southern shore of Lake Erie at the mouth of Lake Portage.
The Port Clinton Lighthouse has a Pepperpot design, resembling a salt or pepper shaker.
“Built in 1896, the Port Clinton Lighthouse is the last remaining free-standing wooden pier light on Lake Erie, and one of only four left on the entire American side of the Great Lakes,” Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy President Rich Norgard told Fox 8 News. “Once prevalent on piers and breakwaters because of the prevalence of timber and ease of construction, these timber-frame lights, being susceptible to fire and the elements, were replaced over time by stone, masonry, and steel structures.”
The Lighthouse is open to the public for tours on Saturdays from noon until 5 p.m., Memorial Day through Sept. 2, so you still have a little time left to check out the lighthouse this year and learn about its history. Tours are $3 per person.
Click HERE for more.
LORAIN LIGHTHOUSE
The “Jewel of the Port.”
Completed in 1919, the Lorain Lighthouse is hard to miss. Its house-like size and features rising from Lorain Harbor catch your attention almost immediately. The lighthouse stands three-stories tall with a lantern room on top and a basement down below.
When it was in service, the lighthouse was known for its identifying signals including the length of its fog horn blast and the rotation and duration of its light, according to the Lorain Lighthouse website.
“Standing at the north end of the West Harbor Breakwater in Lorain Harbor, its light is no longer lit, its fog horn no longer sounds, but it remains a silent reminder of Lorain’s historic relationship with Lake Erie shipping,” the website states.
Frank Sipkovsky with the Lorain Lighthouse Foundation told Fox 8 News the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1965 and scheduled to be torn down but saved by the community. It then became the property of the Lorain Lighthouse Foundation and all restoration work is done by volunteers.
“You can tour the interior or for a unique experience you can have dinner at the lighthouse with a four course dinner with wine pairing with each course,” Sipkovsky shared.
The lighthouse plays host to a number of tours and special events you can learn about HERE.
CLEVELAND HARBOR WEST PIERHEAD LIGHTHOUSE
The Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse has stood at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River since 1911.
The cone-shaped, cast-iron lighthouse, only accessible by boat, included a keeper’s quarters upon its completion and the addition of a fog signal station years later.
The lighthouse was automated in 1965 and is on the National Register of Historic places.
“A symbol of safety and resilience, this lighthouse is part of our shared maritime history and a reminder of Cleveland’s legacy as a Great Lakes port,” Cuyahoga County wrote in a recent post on Facebook celebrating its historic lighthouse.
It’s also well known by Clevelanders as it often freezes over in the wintertime creating the look of an ice castle floating on the water.
ASHTABULA LIGHTHOUSE
The Ashtabula lighthouse sits at the entrance to Ashtabula Harbor.
The current lighthouse, which stands three-stories tall, was built in 1905 after the mouth of the Ashtabula River was widened, and relocated in 1916 to its current spot at the end of the north breakwater.
The Ashtabula lighthouse was the last lighthouse on Lake Erie to be manned by lighthouse keepers until 1973 when it was finally automated, according to the Ashtabula Lighthouse & Restoration Society.
The lighthouse is not open to the public, however you can view the structure from Walnut Beach or Point Park.
You can also visit the nearby Ashtabula Maritime & Surface Transportation Museum which is located inside the original Ashtabula Lighthouse Keeper’s House. There, you can view the lighthouse’s original lens installed in 1915 and removed in 1995.
CONNEAUT BREAKWATER WEST LIGHTHOUSE
If you find yourself virtually anywhere in the Port of Conneaut, you’ll have a great view of this towering lighthouse.
The Conneaut Lighthouse, a 60-foot tall square, steel tower was first activated in 1936, replacing the former Conneaut Harbor Lighthouse, according to the United States Coast Guard.
The tower was originally all white before the black, horizontal band you see today was added as a “daymark,” which helps identify the lighthouse during the daylight hours.
The lighthouse is not open for public tours, but don’t skip it! You’ll be sure to snap a beautiful picture from the shoreline.
THE FAIRPORT HARBOR MARINE MUSEUM AND LIGHTHOUSE
The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse is one of two lighthouses in Fairport Harbor.
The original 30 foot-tall lighthouse was completed in 1825 along with a two-story keeper’s house, according to The Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse website. However, both the tower and keeper’s house had to be replaced due to deterioration.
The current 60-foot tall sandstone tower, rebuilt in 1871, features a spiral staircase leading to an observation deck where visitors can take in breathtaking views.
The lighthouse remained in service until 1925 when it was decommissioned after the West Breakwater Lighthouse went into service.
The lighthouse currently serves as the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum.
“Visitors can tour the museum with it’s amazing maritime artifacts. Those include the original Fresnel lens and the pilot house from a lake Erie freighter. No visit is complete without a climb up the 69 step spiral staircase to the top of our tower which once housed the light that shone for a hundred years . Watch out for Sentinel, the ghost cat. Learn the ghost cat’s story and many other tales of Fairport Harbor and the Great Lakes,” museum president Marty O’Gara told Fox 8 News.
You can visit the museum and lighthouse Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. It will be closed from Sept. 28 until Memorial Day 2026.
Click HERE to learn more about the museum and lighthouse.
FAIRPORT HARBOR WEST BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE
The Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse was first lit in 1925 and sits in Fairport Harbor at the mouth of the Grand River.
It was built to replace the original Fairport Harbor Lighthouse, which now serves as the aforementioned Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse.
“The century old Fairport Harbor West Lighthouse, located in Headlands Beach State Park, offers unprecedented views of Lake County and Northeast Ohio from the top,” current owner Sheila Consaul told Fox 8 News.
Consual purchased the 3,000 square-foot lighthouse from the federal government in 2011 and renovated the building into her summer home.
“Still in use as an ‘active-aide-to-navigation,’ the lighthouse guides commercial ships and recreational boaters as it has for 100 years and can be toured by appointment throughout the summer,” Consaul said.
You can email keeper@fairportharborwestlighthouse.com to book a private tour.
Additionally, an annual open house is held each June to celebrate the lighthouse’s birthday. The 2026 celebration is slated for June 6. Details will be posted on the lighthouse’s Facebook page.
VERMILION LIGHTHOUSE
While only a replica, the Vermilion Lighthouse does not fall short in the beauty department.
Standing along the Lake Erie shoreline in the “Town of Sea Captains,” the 34 foot-tall lighthouse is a replica of the original lighthouse that was removed in 1929.
The red and white lighthouse located right next to Main Street Beach was installed and dedicated in 1992.
“Newly designated as a stop on the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail to celebrate America 250, the Vermilion Lighthouse stands as both a navigational landmark and a symbol of our city’s connection to Lake Erie. It represents Vermilion’s maritime heritage and offers visitors a chance to experience a piece of history while enjoying one of the most picturesque views on the shoreline. Stopping by the lighthouse isn’t just about seeing a structure, it’s about connecting with the story of the lake and the community that has grown alongside it,” according to Kate Repola with Main Street Vermilion.
The public is not allowed inside the lighthouse, but a picture of the structure will serve you well!
You can read a detailed history of Vermilion’s lighthouses HERE.
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Emily Smith
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