Historians Desk

2017 was a slow year as physical activities concerning the lighthouse go, however we still made a good impression on visitors to Ashtabula. During the Wine & Walleye event Bob Frisbie and I narrated boat tours of the Harbor and lower Ashtabula River. As the weather was not cooperative we could not go outside of the harbor but our tour guests were very appreciative of all of the information Bob and I were
able to provide to them. It was a good chance to brush up on my own knowledge of the Ashtabula Harbor and its history. The highlight of the day was an absolutely brilliant sunset, where our guests were able to get some great silhouette shots of the lighthouse and an Ore boat entering the harbor.

In other news I have been able to piece together a partial list of some of the light keepers and their tours of duty at the Ashtabula Lighthouse:

 Samuel Miniger (1837‐38) Captain Saxton Bigelow (1853 ‐1857) Joseph Crawford (1902‐ 1909)
 Jonathon Johnson (1838) Seth Belknap (1857‐1861) Thomas H. Holton (1910‐ 1915)
 Joel Thomas (1838‐ 1849) W. Camp (1861‐1864)
 
Ralph Scobie (1915‐ 1921)
 Laban Hill (1849‐ 1851) M. Brown (1864) Frank Sellman (1921‐ 1929)
 Benjamin Ensign (1851) Paul Cheney (1864‐1881) Francis Comeford (1929‐ 1932)
 James Ray (1851‐ 1852) John Oakly (1862‐1893) John Brophy (1932‐ 1937)
 Laban Hill (1851‐ 1852) Orio Mason (1893‐1900) Eugene Ray (1937‐1940)
 Salmon Ashley (1853) Enoch Scribner (1900‐02) Thoamas Baker (1940‐ 1950

Added to this partial list would be the light keepers that have been a part of ALRPS. Neil Barton (1957-1959), Harry Solomon (1954-1956), others are Rick Chalker, Buck Price, and Bill Knipper. It amazes me that the records of these men are so hard to find when they served in a capacity that was so vital to the Great Lakes and our country.

Earl Tucker 

In Memoriam 

Our friend and one of the first members, Carol Cunningham passed away September 7, 2017 at UH Cleveland Hospital after a brief illness. 

She loved the Light- house and she was always willing to volunteer when she could. 

She leaves a huge hole in the hearts of those who knew her. We will miss our dear friend.
July 21, 2018 Annual Fish Fry  2 pm-7 pm
Lakeshore Park Main Pavillion, Ashtabula, OH

$10 donation per person

Dinner includes fish or shrimp, baked potato or french fries, coleslaw, roll, butter and beverage.

Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle 

Tickets available on the day of the event at Lakeshore Park.

For additional information, call 440-319-4835.

All proceeds to benefit the restoration of the Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse.

Lighthouse Tours 2018 - Weather Permitting and support from our volunteers

Beach Glass Festival                 June 24 & 25

Annual Fish Fry                         July 21st


 Lift Bridge Wine & Walleye       July 28 & 29 

Uncorked - 2018                        August 24th & 25th 

April Membership Campaign

Spring is in the air, hopefully soon! Once again we are asking for your financial support. The restoration of our lighthouse will require many hands and a lot of financial support. We encourage you to remain supportive of our mission and encourage friends, family members, and especially young people to join us in our mission financially and in-kind services of labor. 

Contact Us:

Support the Lighthouse Society by Shopping on Amazon
Did you know that if you shop with Amazon you can click over to AmazonSmile and they will donate .5% of your purchase price to the non-profit of your choice? That would be the Ashtabula Lighthouse Restoration and Preservation Society, of course!