Presque Isle State Park

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On my way back through Pennsylvania, I decided to stop at Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie. The park actually sits on a peninsula that stretches out into Lake Erie, roughly parallel to the shoreline. I managed to capture some cloud formations before continuing on my way home.

Clouds on Lake Erie

 

The dark clouds in this picture look a little more ominous.

Cloudy Day

Yellow Streetcar

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Yellow Streetcar

This streetcar was a nice addition to the miniature village. In this shot it is passing the police and fire stations.

Train in Snow

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Train in Snow

This part of the museum looks a little colder than the last. The church, evergreens and red train seem to remind us of Christmas. The snow on the tree limbs makes the scene more realistic.

Purple Train

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Purple Train

This comical-looking train was one of the largest at the model railroad "station" that housed it, actually a model railroad museum. My family visited this fascinating place on our trip to Lake Erie. This engine stood out because of its size and unusual color. This picture shows the railroad crossing with a working gate and light post.

Keeper's House

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Keeper's House

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.

Marblehead Lighthouse

Marblehead Lighthouse

Marblehead Lighthouse

I like my shot of the lighthouse at Christmastime.

Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, has guided sailors safely along the rocky shores of Marblehead Peninsula since 1822.

In 1819, the fifteenth U. S. Congress recognized the need for navigational aides along the Great Lakes, and set aside $5,000 for construction of a light tower at the entrance to Sandusky Bay • Contractor William Kelly built the 50-foot tower of native limestone on the tip of the Marblehead Peninsula • The base of the tower is 25 feet in diameter, with walls five feet thick. It narrows to twelve feet at the top with two-foot thick walls.

Through history, fifteen lighthouse keepers, two of whom were women, have tended the beacon • The first keeper was Benajah Wolcott, a Revolutionary War veteran and one of the first settlers on the peninsula • He and his family lived in a small stone home on the SanduskyWolcott's death in 1832, his wife, Rachel, took over these duties.

Ice In Lake

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Ice In Lake

This is my favorite picture of the lake from that day. How many sea gulls can you see?

Lake Erie Shoreline

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Lake Erie Shoreline

The sun came out for a while. I liked how the snow looked along the shore. It was very windy and very cold.

Lake Erie

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Lake Erie

When I was ten years old, my family spent Thanksgiving at Lake Erie. There weren't a lot of other people around. I guess it was a little chilly. But the colors were beautiful.