Huron Harbor Light
Why it's listed
Huron Harbor Light is a 60-foot welded steel tower standing on a concrete pedestal at the end of the west breakwater at Huron, Ohio. Built in 1935-36, it follows a 1934 prototype for remote-control pierhead stations on the Great Lakes, and it is one of six similar stations built by the Bureau of Lighthouses in the 1930s. It is identical to the Conneaut Harbor West Breakwater Light. Its steel plate skin and Streamline-Moderne look reflect a shift away from traditional lighthouse design toward cheap, standardized towers that could be run from shore with little maintenance. The tower replaced earlier lights that had marked the harbor since 1835, after the breakwater was extended 1,200 feet lakeward. Steelwork was fabricated in Milwaukee and partly assembled in Buffalo before erection at Huron. The light was automated in 1972 and remains active. Its significance rests on its role in Lake Erie commerce and on its architecture.
Significance in brief: It is one of six similar remote-control pierhead stations on the Great Lakes, all based on a 1934 prototype. Its Streamline-Moderne styling and steel skin reflect the architectural trend of the 1930s and mark the end of traditional lighthouse design. It is also tied to the commercial history of Lake Erie shipping and light stations.
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 91000971, listed December 19, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W breakwater pierhead, at the foot of Main St., Huron |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | December 19, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000971 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1935-36 |
| Architect / builder | C. A. Park and G. B. Skinner |
| Architectural style | Streamline Moderne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The light continues in service; it was automated in 1972 and now serves mostly pleasure craft. The original lantern was removed in 1949. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.40455, -82.54376 (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 91000971.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5946880
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.