Put-in-Bay Ferries Island Info
South Bass Island - Put-in-Bay
Located in the shallow western end of Lake Erie is a group of 20 or more islands. One of these, Put-in-Bay or South Bass, served as a base of operations for Oliver Hazard Perry. It was from the harbor called Put-in-Bay that Perry sailed to defeat the British fleet under Robert H. Barclay during the war of 1812. The American victory in the battle of Lake Erie gave the country and the United States Navy a memorable slogan of positive accomplishments, "We have met the enemy and they are ours..." Today there stands at Put-in-Bay a beautiful Greek Doric column, the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. This 352-foot granite shaft commemorates not only a naval battle but a peace which has lasted for more than 150 years. The 3,987-mile boundary between the United States and Canada is the longest unguarded international frontier in the world.
The brigs, ships, and sloops with their long guns and carronades are gone. Their place has been taken by yachts and sailboats. Many captains of these pleasure craft plot a course for Put-in-Bay seeking relaxation from the tensions of the city. Others -- yachtless landlubbers -- board the ferryboats or airplanes for their trip to an island in Ohio's Lake Erie vacationland, Urban and rural tourists have been coming the Put-in-Bay for over 100 years. From the top of the Perry Memorial the visitor can observe the site of the Battle of Lake Erie. He can also probe the depths of the caves, bicycle around the island, or sip locally produced wine or grape juice.
In its heyday, around the 1850s to the 1900s, several steamships, some holding up to 1.500 passengers, serviced the island on a regular basis. Tourists were treated to a variety of hotels, including 300 x 600 foot Hotel Victory with 625 guest rooms, at that time the largest resort hotel in America featuring the first coed swimming pool. Elaborate ceremonies were planned for the laying of the cornerstone of The Victory. Seven steamboats brought 8,000 people to the island. The Beebe house with a wide hall running 500 feet through the center had a dining room that could seat nearly a thousand diners. The hotel could house over 800 persons.
Put-in-Bay has been a summer resort for more than 100 years. Today Put-in-Bay is a vibrant tourist resort complete with bars, hotels, boating, fishing, a monument, caves and much more. For more information on the history of Put-in-Bay, we suggest you read Isolated Splendor by Robert Dodge where most of the information for this brief history page was obtained. Come visit the South Bass Island, or Put-in-Bay as it is better known, and see for yourself.
Kelleys Island
Kelleys Island is located in the western basin of Lake Erie about four miles north of Marblehead and twelve miles from Sandusky on the Ohio mainland. The entire island measures more than four square miles and is the largest fresh water American island in Lake Erie. A short drive from major cities makes Kelleys seem right next door, yet the Canadian Border lies only a few miles north of the island.
Remnants of the island's past can be seen throughout the island as the entire island is on the National Register of Historical Places. Tour the island by bicycle, golf cart, or stroll historic neighborhoods and view restored architectural styles, scenic treasures and natural wonders. The Glacial Grooves State Memorial is the largest and most spectacular example of glacial grooves left in the entire world. Walk the perimeter of this international study site to view a 400 foot by 35 foot wide gash of prehistoric glacial grooves scoured into native limestone bedrock by the advancement of the Wisconsin glacier 30,000 years ago.
Fishing from various piers or boats will thrill you in the "Walleye Capital of the World". Island shops sell supplies and licenses, and will aid any angler as to the current "hot" locations and lure selection. Also perch, catfish, smallmouth and white bass are caught in quantity in their respective peak periods. Constant lake breezes and small waves provide ideal weather conditions for jet-ski's, and sail or power boaters. As the quality and clarity of the Lake Erie waters steadily improves, shipwrecks from the 1700-1800's provide fun and excitement to both snorkelers and scuba divers.
Enjoy Kelleys Island's natural beauty. Abundant waterfowl (heron, egrets, ducks, geese, sea gulls, and an occasional osprey or eagle) add to the island bird population (blue birds, hummingbirds, and migratory species in both spring and fall). Monarch butterflies feast in milk weed each September as they migrate to Mexico for the winter. White-tailed deer with fawns are seen grazing at dusk and dawn. Catch glimpses of rare species like the Lake Erie water snake or Kelleys Island salamander tucked among the rocks.
The downtown area remains the heart of island activity. Browse amongst the unique gift and clothing shops. Enjoy miniature golf, a video arcade, or a seat in Memorial Park. No banks are on the island - although there are ATM machines located in the Island Market and the Village Pump. Several restaurants provide dining experiences inside or outside with a range from full continental cuisine to pizza or sandwiches. Weekends provide a variety of entertainment. Small groceries provide staples, incidentals, and snacks. Top off your stay with a hand-dipped ice cream cone or some fresh island fudge.
