Lorain Lighthouse
Why it's listed
Rising from a concrete platform at the end of Lorain Harbor's western breakwall, this lighthouse sits in Lake Erie and can be reached only by boat. Built in 1909 for $19,800 by the Light House Board, it is a three-story poured concrete building with a gable roof, regularly spaced windows with steel shutters, and a square cupola-like tower at one corner, giving it a house-like look. It served as both a light station and a residence for a Coast Guard crew. The lighthouse was part of federal harbor improvements that helped Lorain handle ore, coal and shipyard traffic for its steel mill and shipbuilding industries. When a new automatic light replaced it in 1966, demolition was planned, but citizen and city council efforts led the Coast Guard to cancel the contract. The Lorain County Historical Society received title in 1976 and is responsible for restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a unique example of a vanishing structure type and a prominent local landmark. It is tied to the harbor improvements that let Lorain serve its new heavy industry, including steel and shipbuilding. Its rescue from planned demolition in the 1960s also marks its local importance.
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 78002108, listed December 29, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Lorain Harbor, Lorain |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | December 29, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002108 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909 |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Engineering, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Deactivated as a lighthouse in 1966 when a new automatic light replaced it; deteriorated since, though the basic structure remains solid. Title passed to the Lorain County Historical Society in 1976 for restoration and maintenance. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.47738, -82.19025 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 78002108.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6678743
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.