Erie Land Lighthouse, 1867

The Erie Land Lighthouse was the first commissioned lighthouse site along the U.S. Great Lakes. The first lighthouse, which was built of wood in 1813, eventually became compromised structurally. In 1858 another lighthouse went up, built of brick, which didn’t last very long.

This lighthouse was completed in 1867, and “To ensure this light’s longevity, it was constructed with a 20-foot foundation of oak timbers, crushed limestone, and Portland cement to support the round brick tower with Berea sandstone exterior,” as explained at https://www.presqueislelighthouse.org/learn/erie-land-lighthouse

This metal spiral staircase has been elevating people to the top of Erie’s Land Lighthouse since 1867. There are 69 steps to reach the top, or the bottom, depending on which way you’re going. Image capture Oct. 1, 2024

This view from the top of Erie’s Land Lighthouse is facing NE. It probably hasn’t changed all that much since the lighthouse keepers struggled to keep the light burning in the late 1800s. Image capture Oct. 1, 2024

The enduring Berea sandstone blocks this lighthouse is built with are visible in this photo. The first lighthouse, which was built near this site in 1813, was composed of wood and was replaced in 1858 with a brick lighthouse. The brick lighthouse only lasted until 1867, which this one, which is still standing, was constructed with a good deal of effort and thought. Image capture Oct. 1, 2024

As of 1899 the light inside of the Erie Land Lighthouse didn’t matter anymore as there were two other lighthouse towers near Erie to help lake travelers find their way. Today the top of the lighthouse is barely visible from the lake, as seen in this photo from October 2020.

You get a two-for-one lighthouse deal when climbing to the top of the land lighthouse because the North Pier lighthouse is visible. Image capture Oct. 1, 2024

Here sits the original lighthouse keeper’s house which was also built in 1867 like the Land Lighthouse. It is no longer occupied and is presently used for storage.