Lighthouse Point at Cedar Point

Lighthouse Point at Cedar Point is on the northwest tip of the Cedar Point peninsula. Since 2001, the area around the lighthouse has had New England-style cottages. The lighthouse occupies a small plot in the Cedar Point RV park and campground, but there is a fishing pier with amazing views.

The six-room, limestone structure shown here was built in 1862 and was larger than the previous lighthouse. Although this structure is not open to the public, this is a great place for Cedar Point visitors because of the decades of Lake Erie stories that unfolded here and across the bay.

This is the front entrance to the Cedar Point lighthouse, which faces northward toward Ohio's Kelley Island, and also toward Ontario's Pelee Island across the Canadian border. This image was taken on Labor Day Weekend 2015. There are many amenities for park visitors very close to the lighthouse.

Lighthouse Point is close to the nautical cottages along the shoreline, the RV park and cabins. Sandcastle Suites is close, too, with Breakers down the beach. Park guests can reach it by hiking from Soak City via the parking lot walkway and going along the walkway between the cabins and RV park.

Just like the Cedar Point amusement park, the lighthouse has a storm shelter because of the unpredictable Lake Erie conditions. According to Lighthousefriends.com, the lighthouse was built because of those unpredictable conditions: "darkness, sudden gales, mist and fog, and general capriciousness".

Johnson's Island, westward across the bay just beyond Bay Point-Marblehead, held about 2,500 Confederate officers during the Civil War. Visitors can go there to remember the 200 or so men who were buried there. During winter, Johnson's Island was a very harsh place in contrast to the relatively easy living during summer.

Next to the lighthouse is a pool for the cottagers and the cabin-folks to enjoy. There are many lounge chairs, as seen here, plus umbrella tables just out of view. Just beyond the cottages shown in the center background is Lake Erie plus a wonderful recreational pier. There are sidewalks everywhere.

Next to the attraction itself, perhaps the most important part of a Great Lakes trip is the location of the amenities. This building is located near the lighthouse, the pier, and the pool. Open 8am to midnight is the laundry room, which also has modern restrooms and accessible, private showers.

Looping around the lighthouse is a meandering road, but it leads directly to this walkway between cottages 14 and 15 at the northwestern tip of the Cedar Point peninsula. Note the curb cut between the pylons on this accessible path, which leads pedestrians directly to Lake Erie.

This quiet pier is marked change from the high-speed roller coasters at Cedar Point, but it is a fun place to spend an early evening. Note the bench at the far end of the pier, which is a nice spot to watch the boats go by. To the left of this image is the well traversed Moseley Channel shipping lane.

This jetty protects the pier from unpredictable Lake Erie conditions. Many boaters spend long, lazy days here. Both U.S. and Canadian ferry passengers will pass near here, as nearby islands include Ohio's South Bass, Middle Bass, North Bass-St. George, Snake, Kelleys, and Ontario's Pelee Island.

This image looks west across Sandusky Bay toward Bay Point on the Marblehead Peninsula. Bay Point is a secluded resort area. Beyond that is Johnson's Island, which is connected to Marblehead by a narrow causeway that leads to a Confederate officers' POW camp.

The sun sets over Bay Point-Marblehead at the fishing pier at 8 pm on the Friday before Labor Day 2015. Walleye fishing is good here; a fishing license is needed for most folks age 16 and over and several fishing charters serve this area. The best place to catch a sun rise is Cedar Point's beach.

Perhaps this sailboat is headed back toward the Cedar Point Marina on the western side of the Cedar Point Peninsula, or maybe to the Battery Park Marina on the northern tip of Sandusky. The Sandusky Sailing Club and the Sandusky Yacht Club, plus others, are also nearby.

This sunset view is possible only by stepping away for a few moments from the roller coasters, arcades, and ice cream stands. After a short walk back into Cedar Point, the rides and food stands will be fully lighted and ready for more fun. The Sky Ride along the Main Midway has great views.

This view looks southwest across the Lower Bay Channel toward the coal silos of the Sandusky Dock Corporation in Sandusky, Ohio. The name "Sandusky" is derived from a Wyandot word that means "water in water-pools." This is the location of the Turning Basin, according to NOAA.

This is the Mean Streak wooden roller coaster in Frontier Town at Cedar Point. This ride rockets through at 65 mph and lasts about two-and-three-quarter minutes. The Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad (not shown) has a slower pace, and is also fun. To the right is the Maverick roller coaster.

One last look at the walkway, the Fishing Pier, Bay Point, and Johnson's Island at 8:30 in the evening. The pier had its share of visitors today, and will have more tomorrow. But for now, it's time to head back toward the roller coasters and the french fry stands, if just for a few more hours.