Join Us at the Port Clinton Lighthouse!
The progress with the Lighthouse and the surrounding area has been remarkable, due to your faithful support. Each of us has had to handle, in our individual ways, what was dealt us this past year, and despite the difficulties and, in some cases, sorrow, each of us has had the opportunity to learn and grow. The Port Clinton community has once again proven itself strong and resilient. Our Lighthouse stands as a symbol of that strength and the promise that better days are coming. Thank you for your unwavering support, and may this year prove to be as bright as the light that shines from the Lighthouse!
February 2021
(photo by Sandra Giangrande)
As soon as we confirm plans for this year’s festivities, we’ll post them here for your information. Be assured that many heads and hearts are working together to produce events that will allow us all to celebrate the Lighthouse and its waterfront area as safely as possible. This year’s festival is still in the planning stages, but we’re looking forward to seeing many of you there in August.
Please watch this spot for updates and feel free to send us a message through this Web site. The 2021 list of Keepers is on the Keepers page (which mysteriously is stilled titled as 2020–please bear with us!)
Meanwhile, The pathway around Derby Pond, connecting to all parking lots and the 1812 Memorial, is almost complete. In addition to the replacement of two city benches along the lake pathway to the lighthouse from the former Jet Express lot, seven new benches now will be available for all our visitors.
The small portion of the pathway that remains unpaved is under the authority of the Black Swamp Conservancy and must meet higher ecological standards. We’re working with Black Swamp and the City of Port Clinton to meet those standards and still accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, cyclists and others who need smooth pavement to enjoy the pond area. This has all been made possible by members’ contributions.
The Port Clinton Lighthouse is in a city park that has plenty of nearby parking, and your visit to the area is always welcome. It’s easy to maintain proper distance and to be safe. All keepers can contact us through our Web site or by asking a board member for a private tour for guests and/or family. We’ll continue this policy, along with regularly scheduled Saturday tours for other visitors during the summer months. All tour docents will be masked and fully Covid-vaccinated. Again, as more information regarding hours and events becomes available, we’ll post it here for you.
A new large (21′ x 4′!) permanent sign welcoming you to the Port Clinton Lighthouse is now installed, just east of the 1812 Memorial, and visible from either the east or west on Perry St. Special-event notices will be posted temporarily over the sign when warranted so we all know what’s going on at the Lighthouse and surrounding area!
The exterior of our lighthouse can now be lighted with colors for special occasions and holidays. And the flagpole will be better illuminated at night now, so we can see the flag more easily. Again, all courtesy of our generous Keepers!
Perhaps the most exciting of all, in the way of improvements: The Friends of Port Clinton Parks and the City of Port Clinton are working with the Lighthouse Conservancy to develop plans for construction of a restroom in the park! With the increasing number of visitors to the area and the subsequent need for such a convenience, we’re considering every possible means for making this happen, and as soon as feasible.
- Virtual Tour: Because we have been Covided, we’re offering a virtual tour of the Lighthouse! Please click on the Video section above to enjoy it
Have any of you tried out the model lighthouse plans included above? Please let us know, possibly with photos, how your model-building goes. It looks like a good, positive challenge for a range of ages, courtesy of a friend of the lighthouse, Marie Blunt. Give it a try!
- Click on SHOP at the top of the page to do some Spring shopping! The store will be located in the Boathouse (see below) and information regarding hours is forthcoming. A wide variety of items is available online from which to choose gifts–or a little something for yourself! Lilly and Gert’s, on 2nd St., and Unique, on Madison St., in downtown Port Clinton, will once again have some PCLC items for sale at this. All proceeds from your purchases support the PC Lighthouse Conservancy and its place within our historic community on the Lake Erie waterfront. Please call or send a message with any questions or suggestions.
- Please continue to check here for information regarding the Lighthouse area development and hours. Meanwhile, as you drive past the Lighthouse, look to its light as a true beacon of hope for all of us, as we work toward the time when life is again moving forward.
- For those traveling to Port Clinton and wishing to visit the Lighthouse, enter Port Clinton Lighthouse (or 421 E. Perry St.) into your GPS or digital map.
- WANT TO BE A KEEPER OF THE PORT CLINTON LIGHTHOUSE? Click here for a membership form. Why not join the Keepers of the Port Clinton Lighthouse and get periodic updates, early notice of openings, special deals, and, most importantly, tangibly demonstrate your support? Become a Keeper of the Port Clinton Lighthouse! Click here to see a current list of Keepers.
- If you are visiting Port Clinton and want your Lighthouse Passport stamped, the Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce (call for hours at 419-734-5503), located on Madison St., will be able to stamp it for you Monday through Friday. In addition, Lilly & Gert’s, located on 2nd St. across from the Post Office, will have a stamp available when they’re open. If you are an ardent Lighthouse Passport owner with compulsive desires for collection, you can always send us a request for a lighthouse stamp by including a self-addressed stamped envelope.
It’s never too late to contact us, as noted above, for a membership application.
We hope to see you out on our pathways, enjoying the warming weather and all that the Port Clinton Lighthouse area affords us!