Presque Isle Light
Why it's listed
Presque Isle Light stands on the north shore of Presque Isle Peninsula, the long sand bar that shelters Erie Harbor on Lake Erie. Ground was broken for the lighthouse on 2 September 1872, and a fixed white light of the fourth order, flashing red at one-minute intervals, was first shown on 12 July 1873. Construction was slowed by the difficulty of getting materials to the exposed site, and a scow carrying 6,000 bricks was lost on the dangerous shore. The square brick tower is 68 feet high and painted white, with paired round-arched windows at mid-height, a brick cornice and a 12-sided lantern. An attached eleven-story red brick keeper's dwelling and a square iron oil house complete the station. The earlier lighthouse on the mainland had been blocked from view by the island, which is why the new light was built on the peninsula. The nomination treats the light as central to the growth of Erie as a port. The original Fresnel lens has since been replaced by a Rotary Optic beacon.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the light played an important role in the development of Erie as a port. The first lighthouse at Erie, on the mainland near the harbor entrance, was judged poorly placed because the island blocked its view, which led to a new light on the peninsula. The station is documented as a coast light on the Great Lakes.
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 83002242, listed August 4, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Presque Isle Pennisula on Lake Erie, Erie |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | August 4, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83002242 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operates as a coast light with commercial power; the original Fresnel lens has been replaced by a Rotary Optic DCB-10 beacon. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 42.16585, -80.11539 (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 83002242.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1845915
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.