Ohio, bordering on the edge of America's Midwest, is considered a Great Lakes State. It shares its northern border with Lake Erie, taking in more than 150 miles of a picturesque shoreline. One of the scenic lakeside sights is found at the 100 acre Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. The park is located nearby the town of Port Clinton and adopts its name form the Marblehead Peninsula that juts out into the lake for almost 15 miles. A beacon has marked this rocky shore since 1822, guiding lake traffic toward Sandusky Bay. The photogenic Marblehead Light stands 65 feet and is one of the oldest active navigation aids in the Great Lakes area.
     The lighthouse and park, a popular site, has fallen under control of the Department of Natural Resources, given up by the Coast Guard in 1996. Modern watercraft with GPS navigation aid no longer require lighthouse aid, but the stalwart beacon will continue to shine offering a sense of permanence along the Erie coast.