Grand Lake St. Marys Lighthouse

Grand Lake St. Marys Lighthouse is a tall tower standing on the northern shore of the lake, topped with a bronze and glass dome that houses the light beacon. The structure was built to stand against the elements and remains a visible landmark along the waterfront.

The lighthouse was constructed in 1923 to help ships navigate safely on the inland lake in western Ohio. It operated under U.S. Coast Guard license and was an important aid for people traveling by water in that region.

The lighthouse reflects early 20th-century maritime design and speaks to the importance of inland waterways for navigation in western Ohio. Its presence shows how communities once relied on such structures to guide people traveling by boat.

The lighthouse sits on private property and cannot be visited directly, but you can see it from multiple points around the lake where public access is available. Find a good viewing spot along the shore to get a clear look at the structure.

The structure earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its unusual presence on an inland waterway. Few people realize that such a beacon exists in this remote corner of the Midwest far from any ocean.

Location: Mercer County

Inception: 1923

GPS coordinates: 40.54354,-84.48140

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:46