As Shores & Islands Ohio joins communities across the nation in celebrating America 250, we’re proud to say that our story in Shores & Islands Ohio begins long before 250 years ago. The lands and waters we call home (today known as Erie County and Ottawa County) have witnessed centuries of innovation, exploration, and first-of-their-kind moments that helped shape not only our region, but Ohio and the nation.
America 250 is a celebration of the people, places, and events that shaped our nation over the past 250 years. It’s an opportunity to explore local history, honor our heritage, and engage communities with fun and meaningful programs. In Shores & Islands Ohio, we’re telling our stories through interactive tours, historic talks, and unique experiences that bring history to life.
Ohio Firsts Found Here in Shores & Islands Ohio
This region has always been a place of discovery – where big ideas, bold thinkers, and everyday innovators carved new paths forward. Erie and Ottawa counties hold many claims to fame:
- The Marblehead Lighthouse (1822): The oldest continuously-operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes and an enduring symbol of the region.
- Johnson’s Island: The site of the only Union prison camp built specifically for Confederate officers – an original piece of Civil War history in Ohio.
- Early Tourism: Cedar Point welcomed its first bathhouse and beer garden in 1870, marking the beginning of its evolution into the world-renowned amusement park it is today. Cedar Point is the second-oldest continuously-operating amusement park in the U.S.
- Agricultural Innovation: Orchards, vineyards, and experimental farms along the shoreline helped pioneer techniques that influenced Ohio’s agricultural identity.
- A Birthplace of Genius: Thomas Edison, born in Milan, OH in 1847, remains one of America’s prolific inventors.
Introducing Two New America 250 Experiences
As part of the America 250 celebration, we’re excited to launch two new heritage initiatives that highlight the stories that make our region extraordinary:
Shoreline Stories: Erie County’s America 250 Tour
This self-guided tour brings to life the people, places, and events that shaped our county – from lighthouse keepers and quarry workers to abolitionists, inventors, and early entrepreneurs. Every stop offers a window into a defining moment in our shared past.
Kelleys Island tour locations include:
Kelleys Island Cemetery
Dating back to the early 1800s, the Kelleys Island Cemetery is the final resting place of the island’s founding families, including the Kelley family, and veterans from the Civil War and other conflicts. Original limestone markers and historic gravestones offer a glimpse into early island life, while the cemetery itself serves as a quiet reminder of the community’s roots and enduring history. Visitors interested in genealogy or local heritage will find it a meaningful stop on the island.
German Reformed Church
The German Reformed Church, built in 1866, is the oldest surviving building on Kelleys Island. Today, it forms part of the Kelleys Island History Museum, along with the parsonage constructed in 1888. Visitors to the museum can explore exhibits highlighting the island’s Native American, quarrying, and settlement history, gaining insight into the lives of early residents and the island’s evolution over the past 150+ years. The museum is open Mid-May to mid-Oct.
Inscription Rock
On the south shore of Kelleys Island sits Inscription Rock, a massive limestone boulder covered in ancient Native American petroglyphs. Likely carved less than 1,000 years ago, the images may have recorded stories, marked seasonal events, or served as a message stone for travelers. Discovered in 1833, the carvings have weathered over time, but a protective shelter and replica nearby help visitors imagine their original detail. Today, Inscription Rock offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into the island’s earliest human history.
Glacial Grooves
Located within Kelleys Island State Park, the Glacial Grooves are some of the largest and best-preserved in the world. Formed around 18,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, massive glaciers carved deep, parallel grooves into the island’s limestone bedrock. Visitors can explore the grooves via paved paths and observation platforms, with interpretive signage explaining their formation and geological significance. A National Natural Landmark, the preserve offers a unique glimpse into Earth’s prehistoric past.
Kelleys Island State Park
A relic of Kelleys Island’s once-thriving limestone industry, the Crusher Building stands as a reminder of the island’s industrial past. Built as part of the North Side Quarry operations, this structure housed massive machinery that crushed limestone before it was loaded into rail cars and shipped across the Great Lakes. Though weathered and partly reclaimed by nature, the building still looms over the landscape—an evocative landmark that tells the story of the workers, rail lines, and ships that powered Kelleys Island’s role in regional commerce.
Ottawa County’s History Mystery Tour Part scavenger hunt, part historical treasure hunt, this tour invites visitors to unravel lesser-known stories hidden in plain sight. You’ll follow clues, uncover local legends, and learn about the county’s fascinating, and sometimes quirky, heritage along the way.
Both tours offer a fun, accessible way for residents and visitors to explore history at their own pace throughout 2026. These mobile exclusive passports offer a collection of curated sites – check in on your device as you tour the past, answer associated trivia questions, and earn a commemorative patch for completing each trail!
Learn more about Shores & Islands America 250 initiatives at SHORESandISLANDS.com, under Events → America 250, and be sure to explore the rich history of the region via our new trails.
