Lorain Lighthouse Saved – January 1966

The Lorain Lighthouse is the very symbol of Lorain – a beloved icon that neatly encapsulates the city's maritime history. And it's one of the city's biggest tourist attractions.

That's why it's so hard to believe that at one point in the 1960s, it was scheduled to be torn down. A new fully-automatic red light was to be installed on the tip of a detached outer breakwall.

From the July 12, 1965 Journal

And sixty years ago this month, some of the first steps were taken to 'save' it by a civic group. Here's the front page of the January 5, 1966 Journal with the story.

Later that year a follow-up story appeared with the good news that the Coast Guard agreed to 'continue to operate and maintain the lighthouse.'

May 10, 1966

And a Journal editorial celebrated the decision and gave credit to several citizens who played a major role in the effort to save the structure.

May 11, 1966

Of course, Gene Patrick had a special cartoon in honor of the occasion in his weekly The Passing Scene strip.

May 14, 1966

The story didn't end there, however. 

The Lighthouse would need to be 'saved' again in the 1970s when the Coast Guard put it up for sale. You can read all about it in Valerie Smith's well-researched history found on the Lorain Lighthouse website. 

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The Lorain Lighthouse has been a favorite topic on this blog.