Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light

The Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light, on Lake Erie, located near the end of the west breakwater at the mouth of the Grand River was built in 1925, replacing the Grand River (Fairport Harbor) Light, which still stands and is now a marine museum.

Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light

Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light at the entrance to the Grand River on Lake Erie
Location	Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Coordinates	41°46′4.30″N 81°16′52.25″W
Year first lit	1925
Automated	Yes
Foundation	Concrete Pierhead
Construction	Brick in Steel Frame
Tower shape	Square
Tower height	42 feet (13 m)
Focal height	17 metre
Original lens	Fourth Order
Range	13 nautical mile
Characteristic	White Light - (3 seconds on, 3 seconds off)
ARLHS number	USA-280.[1][2]
USCG number	7-3865;7-3870
Heritage	place listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Area	less than one acre
Built	1920 (1920)
Architectural style	Light station
MPS	Light Stations of Ohio MPS
NRHP reference No.	92000242[3]
Added to NRHP	April 10, 1992

The light is automated and closed to the public. However, it is possible to walk out along the breakwater to view the structure and grounds. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[3]

In 2006, an effort began by a group of community activists to take ownership of the lighthouse with the goal of preserving the facility for future generations.[4] The United States Coast Guard will continue to maintain the light and foghorn as a navigational aid.

In September 2009, the United States General Services Administration put the lighthouse up for public auction via an online auction.[5] After two more auctions, a bidder secured the lighthouse in August 2011[6] for $71,010[7] and as of August 2012 is converting it into a summer residence.[8][9]

Sources

• "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Ohio". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.

References

1. Amateur Radio Light House Society, Fairport Harbor West Breakwater (Lake Erie) Light #ARLHS USA-280.
2. Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society, World List of Lights (WLOL).
3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
4. Baker, Brandon C. (2006-04-29). "Group Aims to Save FH Structure". The News-Herald.
5. Frischkorn, Jeffrey L. (2009-10-06). "Lighthouse Attracts 3 Bidders". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
6. Frischkorn, Jeffrey L. (2011-08-06). "Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse Sold to Next Highest Bidder". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
7. Henry Hanks; Katie Hawkins-Gaar (2014-08-07). "Lighthouse facts: 10 things you may not know". CNN Travel. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
8. Frischkorn, Jeffrey L. (2011-11-30). "Sheila Consaul Ready to Turn Fairport Lighthouse into a Summer Home". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
9. Frischkorn, Jeffrey L. (2012-08-10). "Owner of Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse Gets to Work Fixing Up Her New Summer Home". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2012-08-10.

Further reading

• Harrison, Timothy, The lights and Lost Lights of Fairport Harbor, (October, 2001) Lighthouse Digest.
• Oleszewski, Wes. Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses, (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) ISBN 0-932212-98-0.
• U.S. Coast Guard. Historically Famous Lighthouses (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1957).
• Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia. Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) ISBN 1-55046-399-3

External links

• Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse (maintained by the current owner)
• FairportLights
• Anderson, Kraig, Lighthouse Friends
• Lighthouse Depot
• Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Ohio". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.