Port Clinton Historic Downtown, Ohio
Port Clinton, Ohio, is a historic town founded on the shores of Lake
Erie in 1828. The town was named for New York state Governor DeWitt Clinton
who created the Erie Canal. There were just over 6,000 people living here at
the time of the 2010 Census, but the town swells during the summer months
because it is known as the "Walleye Capital of the World."
The "Erie Dearie" is a fishing lure that was years in the making, created by
charter captain Dan Galbincea, who transformed Lake Erie into the Walleye
Capital of the World. According to the Erie Dearie company page, "a memorial
sign made from the transom of the Original Erie Dearie Lyman stands as a
tribute to a man and his dreams."
This gun served in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. It now
sits in Waterworks Park in Port Clinton, Ohio.
This is the view from the Lakeshore Drive Drawbridge, looking toward the
wooden pier at the northern end of Madison Street (on the far right-hand
side). Coming in from the west on Route 163, West Lakeshore Drive, this
marina on the Portage River is one of the first views of the city of Port
Clinton.
This image looks north on July 3rd, 2014, around noon, on the cul de sac of
Madison Street. It was a cold and blustery day on the shore. The Lake Shore
Drive Drawbridge is on the far left, just out of view. This end of Madison
has its own "island," and can accommodate a lot of parking.
The Great Lakes Popcorn Company on Madison Street receives a steady stream
of visitors. Downtown Port Clinton is easy get navigate on foot.
The Island House Hotel sits at the corner of Madison and Perry streets. The
original Island House Hotel was built as an all-wood structure in 1870.
After an 1882 fire, this brick structure was erected in 1886. The Island
House was remodeled in 1997 by new owners.
The Lakeshore Drive Drawbridge spans the Portage River and was erected in
1933 by the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, the State of Ohio Department of
Highways, and Ottawa County. On the far left-hand side of the image is
parking for the Jet Express, also known as the "fastest way to Put-in-Bay."
Mayflies emerge in mid June and taper off in early July. Swarms occasionally
show up on Doppler weather radar in Toledo, so says MayflyNews.Net. But
they're harmless. Island Girl at the Put-in-Bay Gazette recommends gently
lifting them off clothing by their wings, rather than squishing them, which
will cause a terrible smell. According to local wisdom, large swarms are a
sign of a healthy Lake Erie. Enough with the mayflies, it's time to board
the Jet!