The lighthouse originally served as the Port Clinton West Pierhead Light before being decommissioned in 1952.
The structure spent over 60 years at a private residence in Catawba Island before being donated back to the community for restoration.
It is constructed of white oak and pine, reflecting the materials common in late 19th-century pier lights.
The 1896 structure is one of the few surviving wooden lighthouses of its specific design in the United States.
The tower was relocated to Waterworks Park by barge across Lake Erie during the 2016 restoration project.
The Port Clinton Lighthouse is a restored 1896 wooden structure originally located at the entrance to the Portage River. After decades of relocation and private ownership, the lighthouse was moved to its current position at Waterworks Park in 2016. The tower stands 20 feet tall and features a square wooden design, characteristic of the U.S. Lighthouse Service's early navigation aids on the Great Lakes. It is managed by the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy, which oversees its preservation and public access. The site serves as a navigational landmark and a historical focal point for the Lake Erie shoreline. Visitors can access the grounds year-round, while interior tours are provided seasonally by volunteers.
From the park shoreline looking toward the lighthouse with the lake as a backdrop.
Check the official conservancy website or social media pages for current volunteer-led tour schedules before arrival.
The site is located within a public park, making it ideal to combine with a walk along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Bring a light jacket, as lake winds can make the temperature significantly cooler than in the downtown area.
Do not attempt to climb the tower outside of guided tours, as the ladder is steep and strictly for staff use.
Interior tower access is limited to seasonal weekends; the surrounding park grounds are open year-round.
Stay within designated pathways and respect any ropes or barriers surrounding the lighthouse base.
