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LIGHTHOUSES

The vine-covered passageway between the lightkeeper’s dwelling and tower is original to the 1871 tower.

The original brick lighthouse and keeper’s dwelling was built by Jonathan Goldsmith in 1825. The iron lantern on top of tower was in the shape of an octagon.

This 1858 photo shows a sailing vessel’s masts framing the 1825 lighthouse. It is thought to be a shipbuilding yard. Notice the man in the center of the photo wearing a “stovepipe” hat and a boy on the left holding a rifle.

The U.S. lighthouse keeper’s dwelling and tower is pictured here in the early 1900s. Captain Joseph Babcock, lightkeeper, is sitting on the front steps.

This 1912 photo shows the summer kitchen on the lightkeeper’s house. The oil house was added in 1904. Notice the streetcar rounding the corner.

The steamer Wotan arrives in Fairport from Buffalo with a lighthouse shell structure at 1:45 p.m., June 21, 1921.

Pictured is a view of the 1925 Fairport light on west breakwater.

Welcome to the lighthouse museum and tower entrance! The life car is one of three known to be in existence.

This CC1 diaphone foghorn was located on the first floor of the West Breakwater Light and was in service until 1965, when it was replaced with a modern sound signal. Characteristic of CC1 diaphone: 1 second blast, 1 second silent; 1 second blast, 3 seconds silent; 1 second blast, 23 seconds silent. The foghorn was restored in 1998 and is now mounted on a compressed air tank and attached to a 2-wheeled trailer. It is a prized possession of the Fairport Marine Museum.

Here is pictured the original stairway leading to the lens deck of the Fairport light tower.

This lens, the original third-order Fresnel lens of the Fairport lighthouse, is now located in the Fairport Marine Museum. The beacon could be seen 17.5 miles out in Lake Erie.

Fairport Harbor Historical Society was organized March 2, 1945; incorporated March 17, 1945; and its constitution adopted March 23, 1945. Society members are pictured, from left to right, as follows: (front row) Irene Radike, treasurer; Lillian Robinson, secretary; George Gedeon, president; Elijah Brown, and second vice president; Eero Liimakka; (middle row) Mrs. Andrew Haynes; Andrew Haynes; Pearl Cadwell; Andrew Kraynik; Frieda Winchell; Maynard Hungerford; (back row) Fr. D. Hoffman, trustee; John Laczko, trustee; James Galm; Carroll Mitchell, trustee; and Mrs. Zapp.

The Marine Museum was dedicated during the Fairport Mardi Gras Celebration on July 4, 1946. Pictured from left to right are Saul Olin, Mayor Art Ritari, and Ohio Governor Frank J. Lausche.

The mast of the USS Michigan (Wolverine) is placed on the grounds of the museum. The Michigan was the first iron warship of the U.S. Navy. It was dedicated in June 1950, during the Fairport Mardi Gras.

Pictured here is the raising of the flagpole mast of the USS Michigan (Wolverine).

The pilot house, en route from the Str. Frontenac on Route 90, was brought to Fairport and attached to the museum on May 16, 1967.

The mast had to be taken down before the pilot house could be placed into position on May 17, 1967.

The flag pole (main mast of the USS Michigan) is lifted and returned to position.

These two cats belonged to Mary Babcock. Please note the old frame kitchen attached to the north side of the lighthouse dwelling.

In 2000 this mummified cat was found in a crawl space during installation of air conditioning ductwork in the museum. Could this be one of Mary Babcock’s cats? Could it be the “ghost cat” that was seen many times by a former curator?

Pictured here is the rear view of the Lighthouse and Marine Museum in Fairport Harbor.