U.S. Coast Guard Building
Also known as: Cedar Point Rear Range Light
Why it's listed
Standing at the tip of the Cedar Point Peninsula beside the channel that separates Lake Erie from Sandusky Bay, this two-story limestone building began as a lighthouse. Dating to 1862, it served as the Cedar Point Rear Range Light until it was replaced by the Cedar Point Jetty light. The vernacular structure has coursed square ashlar walls, stone quoins, stone lintels and sills, and a gable roof with wall dormers holding arched windows. The lighthouse tower, once at the center of the roof, was removed after the building ceased to function as a light, and the Coast Guard later added a lookout room in the 1950s. The building matters for its role in Great Lakes shipping. During the Civil War, the 24th Battery occupied it in November 1863 to guard the harbor, since Johnson's Island, a Confederate officers' prison camp, lay across the channel. It sits in a grove of virgin timber alongside newer Coast Guard buildings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant to the history of shipping on the Great Lakes, since it served as a lighthouse from 1862 into the 20th century. It was also occupied by the 24th Battery in November 1863 to protect the harbor, because Johnson's Island, a Confederate officers' prison camp, lay across the channel.
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 82001449, listed October 20, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Cedar Point, Off Perimeter Rd., Sandusky |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | October 20, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001449 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Maritime History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior in good condition; used as an office by the Coast Guard. A 1982 Coast Guard document describes plans to relocate personnel and eventually dispose of the property. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.48819, -82.69381 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 82001449.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.