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Northwood, OH |
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Description:
Standing on the north side of Grand Lake St. Marys, near the town of Northmoor, Ohio, is a quiet lighthouse with two names. The Northwood Lighthouse, also known as "Eddystone," was built in 1923. The light originally operated under a government license and functioned as a seasonal aid to navigation from April through November. Though the light is no longer active, it is impressive that it ever was, considering that Grand Lake St. Marys is a man-made reservoir.
More important than its brief career as a navigational aid is Northwood's role as a monument to one of its early ancestors. The fifty-foot conical tower stands as a tribute to the famous Eddystone Lighthouse in the English Channel. And while Northwood's history as a beacon on a feeder reservoir may not be deemed exciting or memorable, that of its namesake certainly is, and knowing a little bit about it will make a visit to Northwood much more meaningful. The completion of Eddystone Lighthouse in 1698 was a historic moment in navigational history. Built on the Eddystone Rocks, a dangerous reef eight miles from Rame Head, Cornwall, it was the first lighthouse to be built on an exposed rock in the open ocean. After only a year, the sea and weather had taken quite a toll, and the tower was in need of major renovations. Henry Winstanley, Eddystone's builder, oversaw its extensive repairs. His second tower stood until 1703, when a violent storm destroyed it and claimed Winstanley's life. Five years later, the third Eddystone Lighthouse was completed. Built by John Rudyard, this tower lasted until 1755, when its own candles set the roof on fire and destroyed the structure. By 1759 a new Eddystone had been completed. This fourth tower was built by John Smeaton out of granite blocks, using a dovetail design. This version of Eddystone lasted 127 years. By the early 1880s the base had cracked, and it was determined that a new tower was needed. The old tower was taken apart and moved to Plymouth Hoe, where it still stands as a monument to Smeaton. The Eddystone Lighthouse that stands on the Eddystone Rocks today is the fifth tower, built by James Douglass in 1882. It is still active and has been automated and unmanned since 1982. The tower stands 161 feet high and has a focal plane of 135 feet. With such an eventful past, it is no wonder that Eddystone inspired the construction of Northwood Lighthouse. And though its own light does not burn anymore, Northwood still shines as a tribute to one of the greatest pioneers of lighthouse history. References
Location: Located in Northwood, along the northern shore of Grand Lake St. Marys. Latitude: 40.5437 Longitude: -84.4815 For a larger map of Northwood Lighthouse, click the lighthouse in the above map or get a map from: Mapquest. Travel Instructions: The lighthouse is located on private property, so it is best viewed from the water. The best way to see the lighthouse from land is to play a round of golf at the Northmoor Golf Course, located adjacent to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is privately owned. Grounds/dwelling closed. Find the closest hotels to Northwood Lighthouse See our List of Lighthouses in Ohio |
