Ashtabula Harbor Light Station

Over the years, two dates have been mentioned regarding the establishment of the Ashtabula Harbor Light  tation, originally known as the Ashtabula Beacon Light Station. One document states the light station was constructed prior to 1821, while other documents say it was constructed in 1836. The author believes the correct date is 1836, when the light station was built on a wooden crib approximately 40 feet square and just off Ashtabula's eastern pier at the entrance to the Ashtabula River. The hexagon-shaped tower was short in statute for its time. The tower was painted white and the interior was fitted with a wooden staircase that ran from the main floor to the conical tower room. The flooring in the conical tower at that time was also constructed of wood. In order to reach the light station, the Lighthouse Board had a long wooden ramp constructed that connected the wooden crib to the east pier of the Ashtabula River.