'South Bass Island lighthouse. Im am doing research on information regarding the famous lighthouse on South Bass Island. South Bass island is located on the southwestern corner of Lake Erie. ( the southern-most of the three bass islands). This lighthouse was built in 1897 and operated until 1962. The light house is erected at South Point (Parkers' Point). It is made of brick and had spacious apartments for the lighthouse keeper. This lighthouse stood forty-five feet tall. The first lighthouse keeper was Harry Riley (1897). The lighthouse was used to guide boats and ships along Lake Erie waters. This light house is unusual because the tower of the lighthouse is attached to the living quarters for the lighthouse keeper.In 1962 the light was made automatic upon the retirement of Paul F. prochnow, the keeper at that time. A single steel tower replaced the lighthouse with "revolving lenses alternating red and white flashes: white 2000,000 candle power and red 45,000 candle power which is visible for up to fifteen miles".(Frohman, 1971) It has been rumored that ghosts wander the rooms. ( as there was a mysterious death of the groundskeeper just 21 days after moving into the basement of the living quarters). Shortley after this unexplained death the lighthouse keeper Harry Riley went insane and was institutionalized. (www.deadohio..com) Mrs. Riley took charge of the lighthouse during her husbands illness.
The lighthouse is just one of the great attractions at South Bass Island. Several wine vinyards also bring tourists to this attraction. Many of the early settlers of Put-in-Bay found that the the combination of limestone soil and the lake Erie climate was great for cultivating grapes to use for wines. This business flourished after 1858 when previous settlers who were raising wheat and other grains found this could be a lucrative crop. (Dodge, 1975)
If you can add any information as to the history of this lighthouse please do so by Sept. 23, 2300. Thanks ~~Taterdog~~