THE MARBLEHEAD LIGHTHOUSE—
It is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. It has operated since 1822.
In 1819 the 15th US Congress appropriated $5,000 for its construction at the entrance to Sandusky Bay at the tip of the Marblehead peninsula. The 50 foot structure was built of native limestone on a base 25 feet in diameter. The two foot thick walls narrow to 12 feet across at the top. At the turn of the century 15 more feet were added to its height.
The original light came from the wicks of 13 whale oil lamps with metal reflectors. This was upgraded in 1858 to a kerosene lantern magnified by a Fresnel lens.
In the early 1900s a clock-like mechanism was installed to rotate the light. The lighthouse keeper had to crank the weights of this system every three hours during the night to keep the lantern turning.
Electricity arrived in 1923 dramatically increasing the candlepower of the beacon.
A total of only 15 lighthouse keepers served in that capacity until the US Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the light in 1946. The beacon was fully automated in 1958. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has owned the facility since 1998 but the USCG continues to operate and maintain the beacon.
Today’s 300 mm lens projects a green signal that flashes every six seconds and is visible for 11 nautical miles.
It is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. It has operated since 1822.
In 1819 the 15th US Congress appropriated $5,000 for its construction at the entrance to Sandusky Bay at the tip of the Marblehead peninsula. The 50 foot structure was built of native limestone on a base 25 feet in diameter. The two foot thick walls narrow to 12 feet across at the top. At the turn of the century 15 more feet were added to its height.
The original light came from the wicks of 13 whale oil lamps with metal reflectors. This was upgraded in 1858 to a kerosene lantern magnified by a Fresnel lens.
In the early 1900s a clock-like mechanism was installed to rotate the light. The lighthouse keeper had to crank the weights of this system every three hours during the night to keep the lantern turning.
Electricity arrived in 1923 dramatically increasing the candlepower of the beacon.
A total of only 15 lighthouse keepers served in that capacity until the US Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the light in 1946. The beacon was fully automated in 1958. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has owned the facility since 1998 but the USCG continues to operate and maintain the beacon.
Today’s 300 mm lens projects a green signal that flashes every six seconds and is visible for 11 nautical miles.
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