RICK: EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTHOUSES IN OHIO ARE AUTOMATED NOW, A GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZENS IN PORT CLINTON DECIDED TO RESTORE THEIRS AND MOVE IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL HOME. THIS SUMMER THE 120YEAR-OLD, 12-THOUSAND-POUND BEACON WAS RETURNED TO ITS SPOT AT THE MOUTH OF THE PORTAGE RIVER. LET’S HEAR MORE WITH THIS WEEK’S BUCKEYE BEAT.
Liz: WITH A FEW LIFTS AND TURNS, THE NAUTICAL WALTZ OF PORT CLIFTON’S ORIGINAL LIGHTHOUSE CAME TO AN END. AFTER SPENDING DECADES DECOMMISSIONED AT A NEARBY MARINA, THE 1896 STRUCTURE RETURNED TO IT’S ORIGINAL HOME ON THE COAST OF LAKE ERIE.
(Bill Moon, Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy) “We always had boats as kids and so we’d go in and out of the river. We’d see it out there every time we’d go by it. In those days you could walk right out to it. It’s never been out of my mind. I never forgot about it. It’s just a good old friend.”
Liz: WHEN THE LIGHTHOUSE WAS DIMMED IN THE LATE 1920’S AND MOVED TO THE MARINA IN 1952, IT FELL INTO DISREPAIR. BUT ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO, A GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZENS BEGAN TO REVIVE ITS RICH HISTORY.
(Richard Norgard, Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy) “The largest part of the restoration had to do with the fact that it was sitting on the ground for sixty years and when wood sits on the ground for sixty years, I think everybody knows that what’s going to happen is it’s going to rot…
“We wanted to keep it as original as possible, so what you see there, most of what you see is the original lighthouse from 1869…
Liz: THE ORGANIZATION FIGURED OUT HOW TO MOVE THE LIGHTHOUSE INSIDE WHERE THEY COULD WORK ON IT. HERE, THEY HAD WOOD SPECIALLY PLANED TO MATCH THE OLD LIGHTHOUSE SIDING AND BOLSTERED THE BEACON TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND.
“This has been six years in the making, so you can imagine our elation just to see this happen and to see all the people turn out. There were hundreds of people that showed up and it shows the community support for this project. We’re just all touched. Some of our people have been crying, hugging each other and it’s just a wonderful moment. I can’t describe it. It’s just finally happened and I can’t describe it…
Liz: HUNDREDS OF LOCALS TURNED OUT TO WATCH THE LIGHTHOUSE MOVE DOWN THE PORTAGE RIVER AND ALONG THE SHORE.
(Rick Noderer, resident) “There’s so much love in that lighthouse. People from the conservancy have just volunteered and created — recreated — this and it’s all out of love. And I look at it and that’s what I think about — it’s love, love in that lighthouse.” Liz: THE CONSERVATION GROUP PLANS TO ADD STAIRS AND LANDSCAPING TO THE
LIGHTHOUSE AND IS WAITING ON A REPLICA LAMP TO BE INSTALLED. IN A LITTLE WHILE IT WILL SEND A FIXED BEAM OVER THE WATERS OF LAKE ERIE FOR ALL TO SEE.
(Richard Norgard, Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy) “There’s something that draws people to lighthouses and it’s something primal…
“This lighthouse is very iconic to the city… It appears on the city’s seal…But it’s something more than that too. I think it provides a sense of pride. This town has struggled and I think people are searching for something to bring it back and I think the lighthouse may not be the total answer but I think it’s the start. It’s the start of something greater.”
“We’re going to take care of it forever."
Instructional Links
Website Article: ideastream, 12,000-pound Lighthouse Moves to New Home http://www.ideastream.org/news/12000-pound-lighthouse-moves-to-new-home
Website: Port Clinton Lighthouse http://portclintonlighthouse.org