Port Clinton group wants iconic lighthouse made landmark - ToledoNewsNow.com: News, Weather & Sports for Toledo, OH

A group in Port Clinton is trying to make a piece of Lake Erie history a permanent fixture on the lakefront. They want to return the city's historic lighthouse to the area it was taken from over 80 years ago.

The lighthouse helped guide ships into the Portage River from Lake Erie until 1927. After being replaced by modern beacons, it has sat at a marina in disrepair.

The old lighthouse is currently being restored through private donations, and the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy group issued a proposal to the city to make it a city landmark.

The lighthouse is already a symbol of Port Clinton – it appears at the center of the city's seal.

"It seems appropriate to get it to a location where it is more visible," said Darrell Brand, the lighthouse's owner. "It would be a nice thing on the waterfront. I mean, that's where it belongs."

Brand has offered to gift the lighthouse to the city, with stipulations. He laid out in detail the exact area he wants the lighthouse to be placed. Officials agreed the location would be good, but there are regulations in the way.

"Some of the stipulations that were placed on this gift were just some that we couldn't agree with," said Port Clinton Mayor Vincent Leone. "We're not against that, but there are still safety issues, liability issues, things that we need to address as a city."

The proposed location lies in an area already green-lit for development near Waterworks Park. Officials said if the group wants the lighthouse near the lake, they will need to be more flexible.

"We would like to take the gift, but we would ask for no strings attached," Leone said. "Give us the leeway to move it where it needs to be and incorporate it possibly in the future development of Waterworks Park."

There has been no word on whether or not the proposal will go before city council.

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