History of the Marblehead State Park and the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society

In the 1980's the U.S. General Services Administration declared many lighthouses “surplus property” and plans were made to tear down the Marblehead Lighthouse and replace it with a steel pole topped by a light!

​

Can you imagine?

Marblehead, Ohio without a lighthouse

 

Several Marblehead residents formed the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society (MLHS) in 1998 in an attempt to avoid the destruction.  MLHS eventually helped broker the agreement with the State of Ohio to accept ownership of the lighthouse and its grounds and designate it Ohio's 73rd State Park.   MLHS agreed to supply volunteers to help operate the park for visitors.  Since then, MLHS has paid for and constructed several new buildings in the park, including the U.S. Lifesaving Service Museum, a new restroom facility and the quarry exhibit to highlight the on-site quarry and explain the importance of limestone quarrying to the Marblehead Peninsula and its economy. 

 

​​​Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society Founding Members

• Mrs. Leroy L. (Peg) Belt

• Charles Scott

• Gordon and Betty Wahlers

• Neil T. Allen

• Dave Glick

• Scott C. Doty

• Mary Ann Laubner

• R. Neil  and Rosemary Merckens

• Barbara Lane

• Jackie McCune

• Anna Mae Bell

• Pat Snider

• James and Marlene Carpenter

• Rodney Zehfus

​

We are indebted to these founding members for their hard work in preserving this beautiful landmark and establishing the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society.

​

​

​​

​

The Marblehead Lighthouse State Park

 

The Marblehead Lighthouse State Park was established on June 9, 1998. It is the second smallest, but one of the most popular state parks in Ohio.  It is said that the lighthouse is the most frequently photographed building in the state.  About 25,000 visitors climb the tower each summer, but it's estimated that over 1 million visit the park each year.