Ashtabula Harbor Light
Why it's listed
Marking the entrance to Ashtabula Harbor on Lake Erie, this light and fog signal station sits on the west pierhead, about 600 feet from the north end of the west breakwater. It was first built in 1904-1905. After the pier was extended, the building was moved to its present spot on 30 June 1916 and enlarged. The square, two-story steel-framed building is clad in white-painted iron plate, with a conical light tower at its northwest corner. The cast iron lantern has brass fittings and a circular gallery. Its 4th-order Fresnel lens, made by Barbier & Benard of Paris in 1896, shows a flashing white light with a nominal range of 23 miles. Parts of the original clockwork remain, though the lens drive became electric in 1959. The station was last manned in 1973. It matters because it served a harbor that grew into an important coal and iron ore port after rail connections arrived in 1872.
Significance in brief: The record states the lighthouse played an important role in the development of Ashtabula as a port, which became a major shipping center for coal and iron ore after rail links arrived in 1872. It also retains notable original equipment, including a 1896 Fresnel lens and parts of its clockwork drive.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83001943, listed August 4, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Ashtabula Harbor, Ashtabula |
|---|---|
| County | Ashtabula County |
| Listed | August 4, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001943 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition with interior, exterior and surroundings intact; last manned in 1973 and now operates on shore power as a harbor light. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.91842, -80.79565 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83001943.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q726301
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.