The original 1877 lighthouse was moved to a private residence in the 1920s and later relocated to a harbor in upstate New York.
The replica tower utilizes the original lantern room salvaged from the 1877 structure.
The Vermilion Lighthouse is one of the few remaining Great Lakes lights that was moved and eventually restored to its home port.
The structure is officially recognized as a private aid to navigation by the United States Coast Guard.
Local volunteers and the city spearheaded the 1991 reconstruction project to restore the town's historic skyline.
The Vermilion Lighthouse is a functional navigational aid and historical replica located at the northern terminus of Main Street in Vermilion, Ohio. It serves as a tribute to the original 1877 lighthouse that once guided vessels into the Vermilion River. The current 34-foot-tall octagonal steel tower was reconstructed in 1991 using original parts where possible. It is situated within the Main Street Beach Park on the shores of Lake Erie. The lighthouse is automated and remains an active aid to navigation for recreational boaters. Its exterior is painted white with a distinctive red lantern room. The structure stands on a concrete pier extending into the harbor entrance. It is a focal point for the town's maritime heritage and local festivals.
From the beach level looking up at the tower with the lake in the background.
Visit during the annual Woollybear Festival for high crowds or early mornings for solitude.
Bring a windbreaker, as the pier is exposed to strong gusts coming off Lake Erie.
Walk the nearby beach boardwalk for unobstructed views of both the lighthouse and the lake horizon.
Attempting to climb the structure, which is not open for public tours inside.
The exterior grounds are open year-round, though access to the pier may be restricted during severe winter ice conditions.
Stay off the rocks of the breakwall; they are uneven, slippery, and pose a fall hazard.
