Photo Caption:
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The Cleveland West Breakwater Lighthouse as it appeared in April of 1948 a couple of months after it had been encased in ice. It was later reported that the ice had caused some damage, but it was damaged in a later storm of high winds and large waves. A radio beacon was installed at the lighthouse on June 25, 1936. Notice the large American flag flying from the lighthouse.
A newspaper article dated January 2, 1949 described the interior of the tower: “On the main floor is the engine room and kitchen, which has a gas stove for cooking. On the second floor is a bedroom with three double-deck beds.
The supply room is on the third floor and the watch room is on the fourth. Years ago when oil vapor was used to illuminate the huge lamp, it required constant attention and one of the keepers had to remain in the watch room at all times.
On the fifth floor is the trimming room, where, in the old days, the lamps were cleaned. Today, the bulbs are stored there. The main light is located in the lantern on the sixth floor.”
Before electricity reached the lighthouse via an underwater cable, the square building held the machinery for the fog signal and the generators for the radio beacon.
The skyscraper in the distance is the 52-story Terminal Tower. When it was completed in 1928, it was reported to be the 2nd tallest building in the world. Today, it is the 2nd tallest building in Ohio. (Cleveland News press photo from the archives of Lighthouse Digest.)
Back to the edition of: Mar/Apr 2021
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