Conneaut Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse

History

Conneaut Harbor, at the mouth of Conneaut Creek in Ohio's northeast corner, traded early on in whiskey, lumber and grain, and later in coal, iron ore and stone.^[2] Ohio Sea Grant says simple pier lights served the harbour until its first lighthouse was built in 1885.^[2] The Lighthouse Directory describes a complicated sequence after that, with a new light in 1906, a rebuilt breakwater in 1915 and another light in 1920.^[3]

The present light dates from 1936. Like its sister at Huron, it was built by F.P. Dillon and W.G. Will in the streamlined Art Moderne style: a square steel tower on a square base, set on a stone foundation at the end of the west breakwater.^[3,2,4] The sources give its height as about 60 or 70 feet. A single black band around the white tower serves as a daymark, so mariners can identify it by day.^[2,3] The lantern was removed when the light was automated in 1972.^[3,2]

The light remains active. Older descriptions mention alternating red and white flashes, but the September 2026 Light List shows a single red flash every ten seconds, from a focal height of 80 feet.^[1,3] Its National Register of Historic Places listing dates from 1992.^[4]

Its sale proved awkward. The General Services Administration auctioned it in 2008, but the buyer walked away after failing to obtain a lease for the lake bottom from the State of Ohio. A second auction in 2011 found a private buyer, whose family still owned it at last report.^[3] The breakwater is detached from the shore, so the tower can be seen only from the lakefront parks or from a boat.^[3]

How to see it

View from shore Best seen from a public park, beach or pier nearby.

Best public viewpoint

From Conneaut's lakefront parks east of the harbour; Ohio Sea Grant suggests Conneaut Township Park off Route 531, and the Lighthouse Directory mentions Lakeview City Park.^[3]

Tower climbs

No public tower climbs have been offered, as far as our sources show.

Operator

U.S. Coast Guard (light)

Last verified

Last verified 2026-10

Access details last verified 2026-10. Hours, tours and ownership change. Check the operator before you go. Pier and breakwater lights can be dangerous in wind and waves; obey posted closures and never enter private or Coast Guard property.

Questions people ask

Can you walk to the Conneaut lighthouse?

No. The west breakwater is detached from shore, and the privately owned tower is closed. View it from Conneaut's lakefront parks or from a boat.

Is the Conneaut light still active?

Yes. The September 2026 USCG Light List shows Fl R 10s at a focal height of 80 feet.

How is it related to the Huron lighthouse?

Both were built in 1936 by F.P. Dillon and W.G. Will to a similar Art Moderne steel design, and both lost their lanterns in 1972.