Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse — Attraction in Fairport Harbor

The Fairport Marine Museum is a nice small museum next to the Fairport Lighthouse. Adult admission was $5.00 which included the museum and climbing to the top of the lighthouse. The museum has a collection of photos, nautical items, models, and ship equipment. It also has the original lighthouse lens which is really interesting to see up close. Part of the pilothouse of an old freighter (The Frontenac) is attached to the side of the building, so you can step up to the captain's wheel and get a feel for what it might be to look out from the wheelhouse of a ship.

The inside of the lighthouse has a beautiful wrought iron spiral staircase. It is not for folks with mobility issues. Also, if you are afraid of heights, the staircase if a bit daunting since you can see upward and downward through the beautiful ornate staircase. When you get near the top you will have to duck your head and maneuver through an opening to get to the top. A door then leads you out onto the walkway around the top of the lighthouse where you can enjoy views of Lake Erie, the Grand River,...

I just left here. Was getting ice cream with the family, having a good time in Fairport Harbor. Walked to the lighthouse, read the beginning of a very wordy sign and did not see where it cost a fee. Walked to the top, did my thing, and when I got back to the bottom I was told by an older male worker with gray hair that you "zipped up the stairs, didn't read the sign and pay - you need to come into the office to pay $10 or I WILL CALL THE COPS ON YOU."

Had I fully read the sign - admittedly my fault but it wasn't obvious - I would have gladly paid first. So I went in and paid.

There is no stanchion or other barrier preventing anyone from going in it. I gave the worker a piece of my mind and said "I recommend you don't threaten people with calling the cops on them in the future." Way to leave a horrible taste of Fairport Harbor in a tourist's mouth.

The lighthouse was great and is five stars but my experience was less...

My first lighthouse on this trip along the lakes, the Fairport Harbor light was built in 1871 and has a 60-foot tower. It is normally open to the public but I was here after they had closed for the day.

The nearby historical marker gives more information, reading "Lighthouse and keeper's dwelling, erected in 1871 to replace the 1825 structures designed by Jonathan Goldsmith. From the time it guided early settlers into the Western Reserve until it was decommissioned in 1925, this station served Great Lakes shipping for its most important 100 years. The present, well-proportioned tower, constructed of Berea sandstone, is an outstanding engineering achievement." This is marker number 5-43 and it was erected in 1971.

From this lighthouse, you can see the Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light across the harbor....