Around Ohio
Even the keeper's house was decked out for Christmas. I've never made it to the lighthouse during open hours to take the tour, but I hope to someday. Now I'll give you the rest of the history about the lighthouse.
A lifesaving station was built one-half mile west of the lighthouse in 1876 • Lucien Clemons, who with his two brothers saved two sailors from a shipwreck off the peninsula on May 1, 1875, was named the first commander • In 1880, the lighthouse keeper's household moved to a wooden frame home in a more convenient location, next to the lighthouse.
The turn of the century ushered in new technology as well as structural changes including the addition of another 15 feet to the tower's height • A clock-like mechanism was installed to rotate the lantern, creating the appearance of a brilliant flash of light every 10 seconds • This system required that the lighthouse keeper crank the weights every three hours through the night to keep the lantern turning • An improved Fresnel lens with prism surfaces created an even more brilliant beacon.
Modern conveniences came slowly to the timeless light tower • An electric light finally replaced the kerosene lantern in 1923, dramatically increasing the candlepower of the signal • During World War II, the lighthouse became strategically important for national defense • The last civilian lighthouse keeper resigned, and the United States Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the beacon in 1946.
The beacon was automated in 1958, making the Coast Guard's job easier • With its original finish tattered by time and harsh weather, the exterior of the lighthouse tower was given a fresh coat of new stucco the same year.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has maintained the property surrounding the lighthouse since 1972 and proudly accepted ownership of the Marblehead Lighthouse tower in May 1998 • The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate and maintain the lighthouse beacon • Today's 300 mm lens projects a green signal that flashes every six seconds and is visible for eleven nautical miles • The distinctive green distinguishes the lighthouse signal from white lights coming from air beacons.
A lifesaving station was built one-half mile west of the lighthouse in 1876 • Lucien Clemons, who with his two brothers saved two sailors from a shipwreck off the peninsula on May 1, 1875, was named the first commander • In 1880, the lighthouse keeper's household moved to a wooden frame home in a more convenient location, next to the lighthouse.
The turn of the century ushered in new technology as well as structural changes including the addition of another 15 feet to the tower's height • A clock-like mechanism was installed to rotate the lantern, creating the appearance of a brilliant flash of light every 10 seconds • This system required that the lighthouse keeper crank the weights every three hours through the night to keep the lantern turning • An improved Fresnel lens with prism surfaces created an even more brilliant beacon.
Modern conveniences came slowly to the timeless light tower • An electric light finally replaced the kerosene lantern in 1923, dramatically increasing the candlepower of the signal • During World War II, the lighthouse became strategically important for national defense • The last civilian lighthouse keeper resigned, and the United States Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the beacon in 1946.
The beacon was automated in 1958, making the Coast Guard's job easier • With its original finish tattered by time and harsh weather, the exterior of the lighthouse tower was given a fresh coat of new stucco the same year.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has maintained the property surrounding the lighthouse since 1972 and proudly accepted ownership of the Marblehead Lighthouse tower in May 1998 • The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate and maintain the lighthouse beacon • Today's 300 mm lens projects a green signal that flashes every six seconds and is visible for eleven nautical miles • The distinctive green distinguishes the lighthouse signal from white lights coming from air beacons.
