1809    Benajah Wolcott, a Revolutionary War Veteran, led the first settlement of the Marblehead Peninsula.

1812    The War of 1812 saw many ships using the waters of Lake Erie. A need for night time assistance was seen.

1819    Congress appropriated $5,000 to build a Lighthouse. The cost was $6,520.

1821    The site chosen was Rocky Point on Marblehead. Masonry contract was let to William Kelly. The tower was specified to be 50 feet above ground: diameter to be 25 feet at base and 12 feet at the top. The walls to be 5 feet thick at the base and 2 feet thick at the top.

1822    Benajah Wolcott was appointed Keeper. A house was built for him and family some distance from the light. Duties of the Keeper included keeping a log of weather conditions, ships sighted, daily work schedule and times of lighting and extinguishing the light. Lighting fixture was 13 Argand Whale Oil Lamps each with a 16-inch reflector. In case of storms the Keeper organized rescue efforts.

1832    Benajah died and his wife Rachel became the Keeper. She was the first woman Lighthouse Keeper.

1833    Rachel married Jermiah Von Benachoten. He then became the keeper for eight years.

1858    Whale Oil became scarce and costly. The light was replaced with a 4th order Fresnel lens requiring but one lamp. The fuel was changed to Lard Oil and then later to Kerosene. The fixed white light had a visible range of 12 miles.

1870    The name was changed from "Sandusky Bay Lighthouse" to "Marblehead Lighthouse".

1873    George McGee was appointed Keeper and remained until his death in 1896. Mr. McGee's wife succeeded him.

1875    The ship, "Consuela" sank during a violent storm on May 1. The Clemons brothers, Lucien, Hubbard and Al, made a daring rescue of two crewmen and were awarded the first Medal of Honor for heroism at sea.

1876    A Life Saving Station was established at Marblehead with Lucien Clemons as Commander. The Lighthouse Keeper families were relieved of rescue duties. This is the present site of the United States Coast Guard Station.

1880    A new house was erected for the Keeper and his assistant adjacent to the Lighthouse

1884    Uniforms were now required of all male Lighthouse Keepers.

1897    Major changes were made to the Lighthouse. Fifteen feet more was added to the tower height. The old lamp was replaced with one from Erie PA with a clock mechanism that turned the light, making it appear as a 10 second flashing signal.

1903    A large Fresnel lens was ordered from Paris and was installed after being exhibited at the St. Louis World's Fair. Charles "Cap" Hunter became the Keeper. He enjoyed being host to many visitors to the lighthouse.

1913    Edward Herman, assistant keeper, kept everything painted and polished. Mrs. Herman kept a beautiful; garden.

1923    Fuel was no longer used. Electricity was used to now power the light. Candlepower was increased from 42,000 to 350,000 This increased the visible range to 16 miles.

1933    Charles Hunter retired. Mr. Herman then became e Keeper.

1942    WWII made the lighthouse a strategically important navigation light. The United States Coast Guard then patrolled the shoreline

1946    The U. S. Coast Guard assumed care of the light. Visitors were no longer permitted inside the Lighthouse.

1958    An electric clock was installed to control the light.

1969    A "Minor" light was installed. The color green was used to distinguish it from Air Beacons. The Keepers house was vacated. The house was vandalized and was scheduled to be burned, but was saved by protest from the local citizens of Marblehead. The house and grounds were then turned over to the state of Ohio. Guardianship was given to Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks. Park employees then used the Keepers house. The base of the Lighthouse was damaged by Lake Water erosion due to the high water cycle. This was reinforced by concrete. The old stucco was removed and a new coat was sprayed on. The contractor of this work was a William Kelly, from Detroit. He was not related to the William Kelly who built the original structure in 1821. (The light is now controlled by an electric eye.)

1986    Tours of the Lighthouse were started, conducted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

1998    Ownership of the lighthouse structure was given to the state of Ohio. Guardianship was given to Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks. Tours by ODNR division of Parks were started during the week in the summer

1999    The Keepers house now houses a museum about the Lighthouse, the Life Saving Station and the local community.

2002    Major repairs were made on the Lighthouse and the Keepers house.

Content provided by James Kriner, Flotilla 16-12