Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse

Bascule Liftbridge view from Point Park

(Courtesy of B. Baker)

Modern Ashtabula history begins in 1796 with the arrival of Moses Cleaveland’s survey party in Conneaut harbor. Situated along 27 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, it is the largest county, areawise, in Ohio.

The Harbor Historical District, locally designated in 1976, preserves and celebrates past history of the harbor's business and residential centers. The restored  1935 Bascule Lift Bridge over the Ashtabula River leads to the 1890's commercial center, with restored shops and restaurants (eg., Hil-Mak Seafood Restaurant, Riverfront Trader). Two excellent museums overlook Lake Erie on Walnut Blvd. The Great Lakes Marine Museum chronicles the shipping history of Ashtabula from the mid-1800's to the present. The Hubbard House Museum portrays one of the proudest epochs in county history at the time of the Civil War when it served as a northern terminus for the Underground Railroad. A third museum, the Finnish-American Cultural Center is newly constructed and stands at W. 8th and Joseph Ave., on the site of the old Sovinto Hall, once recognized as the largest wood structure in the State. All the above, including Walnut Beach are easy walks from the Michael Cahill Bed & Breakfast.