Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light
Why it's listed
Marking the entrance to the Grand River at Fairport Harbor, this white-painted, red-roofed light station sits on the west breakwater pierhead on Lake Erie. Built between 1921 and 1925, it has a three-story tower set on the corner of a two-story building with a basement. Steel framing supports 12-inch brick walls clad in steel plates. Its steelwork was fabricated at the Buffalo Lighthouse Depot and shipped to the site by steamer. The light first shone on June 9, 1925, and the station was automated in 1965. It replaced an older mainland light station, which now houses a marine museum. The building was listed for its link to commerce on Lake Erie, when the harbor handled iron ore, coal and chemical cargoes, and for its design. Its cube shape, hip roof and symmetrical windows echo the American Foursquare type, while its steel-and-brick construction and cast iron stairway reflect typical breakwater light stations of the period. It still guides commercial and recreational vessels.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the light is significant under Criteria A and C. It is tied to the contexts of Transportation and Commerce on Lake Erie and Light Stations on the Great Lakes. It is a distinct early 20th-century type of breakwater light station with an attached dwelling, steel and brick construction, iron plate cladding, and a cast iron winding stairway. It also shows American Foursquare influences in its cube shape, hip roof and symmetrical windows.
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 92000242, listed April 10, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W breakwater pierhead, harbor entrance, Fairport Harbor |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | April 10, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000242 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1920-25 |
| Architectural style | Light station, with American Foursquare influences |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous service as an aid to navigation since 1925; automated in 1965. The former living quarters are no longer occupied. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.76729, -81.28134 (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 92000242.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5430706
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.