Renovations Begin as Lighthouse Celebrates 87th Birthday

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sheila Consaul 703.391.8818

Fairport Harbor, OH June 9, 2012 – To commemorate its 87th birthday June 9, 2012, renovations have begun at the FAIRPORT HARBOR WEST BREAKWATER LIGHT (FHWBL) in Fairport Harbor, OH. The celebration of a new beginning for the iconic structure began with a birthday party Open House on Saturday, June 9, 2012, with over 100 people from the community touring the “before” state of the neglected building.

One of two lighthouses protecting the shore of Lake Erie in this small town located in Northeast, Ohio, FAIRPORT HARBOR WEST BREAKWATER LIGHT was placed into auction in 2009 by the General Services Administration in accordance with the National Lighthouse Restoration Act of 2000.

After several failed auctions, the lighthouse is now owned by Sheila Consaul of Reston, VA, who hired Opus Building of Chagrin Falls, OH as general contractor of the restoration project. Uninhabited since 1948, the classic four-square style working building constructed in 1925 in Buffalo, NY and transported to its current location aboard the steamer Wotan, is undergoing a top to bottom makeover. Among other things, the windows are being stripped and the glass replaced. The plaster walls are being repaired and the tile and hardwood floors are being cleaned and refinished. The lower level storm shutters, which have been stuck closed due to rust and other weathering, have been opened and are being refurbished. Missing or broken parts of the shutters will need custom manufacturing. Modern plumbing and electricity will be installed as will a fully-equipped kitchen, three bedrooms and other casual living space. A fresh coat of paint will be added inside and outside the structure.

In addition to continuing to serve as an active aid-to-navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, the lighthouse houses a National Weather Service weather detection system (Station FAIO1) that shows current marine weather observations.

Once renovated, the lighthouse will be used as a vacation retreat and summer get-a-way for its new owner. It will also be open to the public for tours, visits and community events.

About FAIRPORT HARBOR WEST BREAKWATER LIGHT

FAIRPORT HARBOR WEST BREAKWATER LIGHT is a working lighthouse located in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. It was purchased by Sheila Consaul of Reston, VA in 2011 from a General Services Administration auction. First lit on June 9, 1925, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The beacon continues to serve as an active aid-to-navigation and is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The structure also houses a National Weather Service (NWS) weather station, Station FAIO1, which provides continuous weather data to the NWS, commercial and recreational boaters of Lake Erie.

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