Welcome to the oldest surviving home in Ottawa County, Ohio, the "Keeper's House". Located on the Danbury Peninsula near the Village of Marblehead, it was the home of the first three lighthouse keepers for the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes.
    Here on this website you will find a taste of the history of the house, learn about the focus of the Keeper's House Committee, get directions for your visit this summer, see the schedule of planned events, and find out how you can help the Keeper's House remain one of the best historical sites in the state of Ohio.

    The Keeper's House Committee was formed soon after the purchase of the home by the Ottawa County Historical Society in 1989. Several years later, the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The committee's goal has been and continues to be to see to the accurate restoration of the property to as close to its original appearance as is possible. Most of the major projects have been completed including replacing the roof with an historically accurate style, shoring of the north east corner of the building, complete restoration of the east and repair of the west fireplaces, and repairing portions of the floor. 
    The OCHS undertook to purchase some of the adjoining properties in order to protect the "big picture" of the original Wolcott home. The additional land has created a wonderful open feeling around the house and makes an excellent location for our many events, some of which are captured in photos for you to enjoy elsewhere in this site.
    The Keeper's House committee is made up of people who feel strongly about the importance of preserving our American history. Important sites, artifacts from our predecessors, and the written history of those who came before us are important for our understanding of the past. We welcome brand new recruits who have recently moved to Ottawa County, to lifelong residents and direct descendants of Benajah Wolcott, the "Keeper" himself who built the house in 1822.
    We welcome you to our website and we welcome you to visit the Keeper's House in person to learn much more than we can present here and to step back into the early 19th century to see what it was like for the hardy souls who made their homes on the Ohio frontier.

     While in the area, plan to visit the Ottawa County Historical Museum operated by the Port Clinton Heritage Society, 126 West 3rd Street, Port Clinton.  For hours call 419-732-2237.

 This site is underwritten by:
When planning your trip to visit the Keeper's House please consider patronizing some of the finer establishments in the area.

McKenna's Inn Bed and Breakfast - A truly relaxing retreat on Catawba Island

The Keeper's House is open afternoons till 5:00pm –
call the House to get the most up to date information
on hours of operation.

Publications available:

The Keeper's House, Coloring and Activity Fun, $4 each + $3 shipping

         The People of Ottawa County, Oral Histories Vol. I, How We Got Here, What We Did, $12.50 each + $3 shipping (temporarily unavailable)

          The People of Ottawa County, Oral Histories Vol. II, Recollections and Voices, $12.50 each + $3 shipping. 

      The People of Ottawa County, Vol. III, Across The Townships, $15,00 each +$3.00 shipping

The People of Ottawa County, Vol IV:  In Tapestry, $18.00 each with $3.00 shipping,  Due out in July 2008

For more information on the Keeper's House:
9999 East Bayshore Road
Marblehead, Ohio 43440
419-798-9339

ORDER ALL PUBLICATIONS FROM  RICHARD TAYLOR, 23685 WEST WALBRIDGE ROAD, CURTICE, OHIO  43412

info@thekeepershouse.org

Email to: pmoon@co.ottawa.oh.us