by Christine Lorraine Morgan ~ December 4, 2023

In 1873, Lighthouse Keeper Charles Waldo called the Presque Isle Lighthouse, “The loneliest place on earth.”

Surrounded by water on three sides, the peninsula in Erie, PA upon which this historic landmark sits was an isolated location with no roads or easy travel routes when it was built. Back then, the lighthouse was the only structure on Presque Isle, and in order to obtain provisions, lighthouse keepers had to walk a long distance to Misery Bay to get a rowboat.

Then they had to row the boat across the bay to reach the City of Erie, at time-consuming trip which could become quite treacherous quickly if an unexpected storm blew in.

Waldo remained at his post from 1873 to 1880 at a salary of $520 per year. 

Although we don’t have any pictures of the lighthouse from way back when, we do have a collection we have gathered over the past several years, which is presented below.

Local folklore tells of unusual occurrences in the area of Beach 8 at Presque Isle near the lighthouse, which was built in 1873.

The lighthouse keeper’s residence looked like most other homes of that time period, except that it was situated in a desolate location which required relentless efforts to keep the beacon lit, and the cupboards stocked with provisions. As of 1944 the building no longer housed lighthouse keepers and their families.

The lantern room houses a modern-day beacon. In 1873, oil lamps were utilized to light the way for lake travelers. Keeping those oil lamps maintained was a labor-intensive job for the lighthouse keeper.

Here’s an inside view of the round stairwell with a stunning metal spiral staircase, even though the tower is square.

The lighthouse tower’s shadow is visible in this photo from the very top.

Author Christine Lorraine Morgan, aka xtinethewriter, finally reaches the top of the Presque Isle lighthouse. (this is before she conked her head while climbing into the lantern room).