PORT CLINTON & PARTS OF OTTAWA COUNTY

OTTAWA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P. O. Box 385 Port Clinton, OH 43452
Email: info@ottawacountyhistory.org
Website
:  www.ottawacountyhistory.org
Facebook:  OCHSohio
Created in 1963 to preserve and celebrate the history of Ottawa County, Ohio.

The Keeper’s House

THE WOLCOTT KEEPERS HOUSE
9999 E. Bayshore Rd., Marblehead, Oh
Website: The (Lighthouse) Keepers House 
Facebook: Ottawa County Historical Society
Purchased by the Ottawa County Historical Society in 1989, the Wolcott Keeper’s House was restored by the Society to the frontier-style stone structure of today.  It was built in in the early 1800s for Benajah Wolcott, the first Keeper of the Marblehead Lighthouse, and his wife, Rachel, first female lighthouse keeper on the Great Lakes, being named keeper at the death of Benajah.  The house was constructed by the same stone mason who built the Marblehead Lighthouse, William Kelly.  

Ottawa County MuseumOTTAWA COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM
126 W 3rd St, Port Clinton
419-732-2237
email: ochm@cros.net
Facebook: the Ottawa County Museum
The Ottawa County Museum is owned and operated by the Port Clinton Area Heritage Foundation.  Established in 1979 as a non-profit corporation, the Foundation’s mission is to preserve and protect records pertinent to the development of the County, to provide education and information, and to create a lasting memory for future generations to study.  The collection includes items from the original Port Clinton 1930s museum.

LIBERTY AVIATION MUSEUM
3515 E. State Street, Port Clinton
(419) 732-0234
www.libertyaviationmuseum.org
Facebook: Liberty Aviation Museum
info@libertyaviationmuseum.org
Opened in 2012, the Liberty Aviation Museum showcases a number of operational, historical aircraft and vehicles, including “Georgie’s Gal,” a World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber, a U.S. Navy WWII TBM Avenger, a PT boat, and more. The museum is currently restoring a 1929 Ford Tri-Motor aircraft. The unique history of the Ford Tri-Motor and its role in the history of the Lake Erie Islands is featured in several exhibits. The new hangar expansion is now open . Hangar 2, the boathouse, and the WWII gallery are located a short walk or drive from our main building.

THE TIN GOOSE DINER
3515 E. State Road, Port Clinton OH 43452
419-732-0236
Facebook: Tin Goose Diner
www.tingoosediner.com
Not to be missed, an original vintage 1950s diner, The Tin Goose Diner.

THE IDA RUPP LIBRARY
310 Madison St.
Port Clinton OH 43452
419-732-3212
https://www.idarupp.org/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdaRupp/
Not just a library, but a great resources for Genealogy and Local History which overlaps Erie Co.’s Kelleys Island area.

Location information on these historic markers, and others in Ottawa County, go to RemarkableOhio.org.

In 1936, Milton Hersberger, an early barnstormer and accomplished aviator, purchased the first Ford Tri-Motor to be used for air service to the nearby Lake Erie Islands. Affectionately known as the “Tin Goose,” the legendary all-metal Ford Tri-Motor was a true workhorse that played a vital role in hauling passengers, mail, and cargo to and from the islands. Pushing a top speed of 85 mph, the complete 17 mile roundtrip from Port Clinton consisted of 12 take-offs and landings and took less than 45 minutes. The airline earned its reputation as “The Shortest Airline in the World” averaging a trip of less than 10 minutes between each stop.

This photo is of a marker in the State Park on Catawba Island.

The Northwestern Boundary of the Firelands is particularly relevant because  Danbury Township was in the Firelands and Huron County from 1809 until 1838 and of Erie County from 1838 to 1840.

The first War of 1812 battle on Ohio soil was fought here when about 60 exhausted citizen soldiers were ambushed by about 130 Indians on September 29. Twenty men held the Indians at bay in a cabin while the main body escaped by boat to Cedar Point. Two days later the defenders were rescued. Forty Indians including several chiefs and 8 Americans were killed in the skirmish, neither a victory nor a defeat for either side.

There are multiple Historic Markers  in this area – the Historic Marker Database has a great list of nearby locations: At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Japanese Type 38 “I” Improved Field Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ottawa County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Ottawa County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Bench (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial Bench (within shouting distance of this marker); End of Harrison’s Trail in Ohio – War of 1812 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Thomas Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indian Mill Stone (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Clinton.