Fairport Harbor's 2 Iconic Lighthouses
The Fairport Harbor Tourism Council is devoted to carrying on the legacy of the village’s two historic lighthouses which celebrated their 100th and 200th anniversaries in 2025. Visit our beautiful harbor town to learn about our rich maritime history.
Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse
The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse, also known as the Grand River Lighthouse, celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2025. The lighthouse dates back to 1825 when it was constructed by the celebrated architect Jonathan Goldsmith. Since 1945, the keeper’s dwelling has been home to the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum’s outstanding collection of Fairport Harbor and Great Lakes maritime history. Throughout the summer, the museum will welcome visitors from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse
The Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse, which is located half a mile from the shore at the end of the breakwall that extends from Headlands Beach State Park, was first lit in 1925 and was constructed to replace the original Fairport Harbor Lighthouse. From 1948 to 2011 it sat uninhabited until Sheila Consaul purchased it from the federal government and began working tirelessly to restore it. Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse is open annually to celebrate the lighthouse’s birthday on the first Saturday of June and offers tours by appointment. The classic foursquare style lighthouse remains an active-aid-to-navigation with the beacon being maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The light has continuously served boaters and mariners coming into Fairport Harbor for over 100 years.
Marine Museum presents special summer exhibits featuring:
1865 Shipwreck of The Barkentine Clough
And the America 250 Paper Trail of American History
West Breakwater Lighthouse celebrates birthday open house
Fairport Harbor, OH — The Village of Fairport Harbor, located thirty miles northeast of Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie, is welcoming visitors to explore the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse and Marine Museum exhibits of The Barkentine Clough and the America 250 “Paper Trail of American History.”
In February 2026, the National Museum of the Great Lakes announced the identification of a 19th-century shipwreck discovered nineteen miles west of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, as the bark CLOUGH. The site was located by the Cleveland Underwater Explorers, a group dedicated to Lake Erie shipwreck research and discovery. Fairport Harbor Historical Society’s Jack Papes has documented the Clough wreck site. Jack has volunteered with Ohio’s Maritime Archaeology Survey Team since 2001.
As part of this year’s America 250 celebration, the Fairport Harbor Museum & Lighthouse will also feature a collection of original documents from America’s history. The Paper Trail of American History exhibit includes the Declaration of Independence signer Samuel Huntington, Cleveland founder Moses Cleaveland, and a letter hand written and signed by Julia Ward Howe, writer of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Documents from all eras of America’s story are included in the display. Signed items by Boston Tea Party participants, printed Colonial Currency from Benjamin Franklin’s printing press, aviation pioneers Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh are included in the exhibit.
Both exhibits are open throughout the summer from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Admission $8.00 allows guests to climb the spiral stairs of the lighthouse tower and visit the museum gift shop.
The Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse, which is located half a mile from the shore at the end of the breakwall that extends from Headlands Beach State Park, was first lit in 1925 and was constructed to replace the original Fairport Harbor Lighthouse. From 1948 to 2011 it sat uninhabited until Sheila Consual purchased it from the federal government and began working tirelessly to restore it. The Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse is open annually to celebrate the lighthouse’s birthday this year on Saturday, June 6 from 12p-4p and offers tours by appointment. The classic foursquare style lighthouse remains an active-aid-to-navigation with the beacon being maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The light has continuously served boaters and mariners coming into Fairport Harbor for 101 years.
About the Fairport Harbor Tourism Council
Founded in 2008, the Fairport Harbor Tourism Council is a 501c3 public charity whose mission is to enhance the economic development of Fairport Harbor, Ohio and the quality of life of its residents by promoting the village’s unique heritage, recreational opportunities, businesses, events and natural resources through tourism. Located on Lake Erie at the mouth of the Grand River, Fairport Harbor is a beautiful harbor town home to two historic lighthouses, two museums including the Finnish Heritage Museum, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, unique shops, award winning restaurants and Airbnb accommodations, all within walking distance of one another. Learn more at FairportHarborTourism.com.