1873 – Sandusky Bay, Ohio.—Access to the city wharves is had from Cedar Point over a shoal through which the United States has been dredging, and will shortly complete a channel over the most favorable ground, but which will have two turns or elbows at present marked by buoys. These buoys are continually in danger of being carried away by rafts or barges, and when this occurs the channel is left undefined, often resulting in serious delays to shipping. These turning-points should be permanently defined, and it is therefore respectfully recommended to establish two day-beacons of construction similar to that located at Dunkirk, N.Y. An appropriation of $12,000 is required.

1874 – Sandusky Bay day-beacons, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—An appropriation of $12,000 was made at the last session of Congress for two day-beacons in Sandusky Bay. Plans and location are now being considered.

1875 – Sandusky beacons, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—The unexpended balance of the appropriation of June 23, 1874, for day-beacons in Sandusky Bay, was, by act of March 3,1875, continued and made available for range-lights at the same place, with the addition of a further sum of $8,000. The total amount now available is not sufficient for the necessary constructions, and therefore a further appropriation of $7,000 is asked. With the sum now available the cribs upon which the beacons are to be erected will be constructed as soon as the title to the sites in Sandusky Bay can be obtained from the governor of Ohio.

1876 – Sandusky Bay beacons, Ohio.—The original appropriation for day beacons in this harbor having been made available for lighted beacons, with an additional appropriation of $8,000, the necessary title to site and cession of jurisdiction were obtained from the State of Ohio, and the construction of the three cribs upon which the range-lights are to be placed has been commenced. It is hoped that these cribs can be placed in position during July.

1877 – Sandusky Bay Ranges, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—Three cribs, upon which the range-lights are to be placed, have been built, and sunk in the bay, and temporary lights have been established. Plans for the superstructure are now being prepared. It is expected that these structures will be erected this fall.

1878 – Sandusky Bay Ranges, Lake Erie, Ohio.—Contracts have been made for the completion of these ranges and the keeper’s dwelling. The central crib will contain the house, with one range-light at the corner, about 21 feet above the water, the house standing on iron columns 11 feet above the deck of the cribs. The structures on the other cribs will consist of hollow iron shafts through which the range-lights are to be hoisted, the lights being about 45 feet above the water. It is expected that these ranges will by November 1,1878, be erected and completed.

1879 – Sandusky Bay Range-beacon No. 1, Lake Erie, Ohio.—The keeper’s house was erected during the year and is now in use. It is necessary, to secure protection for the keeper’s boat and facility for landing, to build an artificial harbor by driving piles by the side of the crib on which the house stands.

1879 – 585, 586 Sandusky Bay Range-beacons Nos. 2 and 3, Lake Erie, Ohio.— The iron shafts have been erected and are in use. It is proposed to connect these two beacons with the central one, No. 584, by pile bridges, paying therefor from funds on hand. This will secure a passage from one to the other in stormy weather.

1880 – 594, 595, 596. Sandusky Range beacons, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—A foot-bridge between the center and west beacons was built. The crib of the main beacon was protected with boiler-iron on the north and west sides. The engineer of the district recommends an additional appropriation of $5,720 to connect the center and north beacons with a pile-pier.

1881 – 604,605, 606. Sandusky Range-beacons on cribs at main elbow of dredged channel of Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—A few alterations and repairs were made. The iron shafts on the north and west ranges are troublesome and inconvenient, and the hoisting apparatus frequently gets out of order. The present structures should be replaced by two small cast-iron beacons, at an estimated cost of $4,000. The elevated walk should be extended from the center to the north beacon at an estimated cost of $5,720

1882 – 609 Sandusky-Range beacon (main) at outer bank, at elbow of dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Ohio.—A new sheet-iron lantern was provided to exhibit a sixth-order light. The boat-house, pile-boat harbor, and the foot-bridge received extensive repairs, and various minor repairs were made. A foot-bridge connecting the main and north beacon, at an estimated cost of $4,000, is needed.

1885 – 715. Sandusky range beacon (main), on the outer bank, at the elbow of the dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—The boat-house and landing inside of the harbor were rebuilt. The southeast entrance of the pile boat-harbor was closed up by driving piles in the opening; the piles of the boat-harbor which were, more or less, pushed out of line by the ice, were straightened up, and new waling pieces were placed to hold them in position. The deck and joists of the pile landing in front of the dwelling were renewed.

1885 – 716. Sandusky Bay range beacon (west), Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—The foot-bridge connecting this range with the main crib was extensively repaired. The cluster of piles protecting the foot-bridge were replaced, and the old clusters were straightened up and properly secured with chains. The piles protecting the corners of the crib were replaced and properly secured. The lens-lantern of the shaft was replaced.

1887 – 832, 833. Sandusky Bay range beacons, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—The propriety of using gasoline as an illuminant at various stations, in order to dispense with elevated walks, was considered and it was proposed that these two ranges be adapted for that purpose; plans with an estimate of cost were made and proposals were invited and opened May 23,1887, and a contract was made for the metal, carpenter work, and gas machines.

1888 – 882. Sandusky range-beacon (main), dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—The pile-boat harbor and landing pier were thoroughly repaired and the boat-house was secured.

1888 – 883,884. Sandusky Bay range-beacons (north and west), Lake Erie, Ohio.— The work of introducing gasoline as an illuminant at these ranges was commenced under contract July 11,1887, and was completed September 20,1887. The gas-machines of these two ranges are working satisfactorily. The houses protecting the gas-machines are in good order. The cluster of piles protecting the two corners of the two cribs were carried away by floating ice, and piles to replace them on one corner of each crib were purchased and will be driven in place as soon as practicable.

1892 – 1056. Sandusky Bay Range, on the outer bank at the elbow of the dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—At this range the decking of the crib was renewed in places. Two outrigger spars, measuring 6 by 6 inches by 20 feet, and extending 12 feet beyond the crib, were secured to the top of the crib and fitted with rope and cleats for securing the keeper’s boat at times when it is impracticable, on account of storms, to enter the boat harbor.

1892 – 1057. Sandusky Bay West Range, Sandusky Bay, Ohio.—The timbers on the south and west sides of the crib, which were cut by the ice, were removed and replaced by new ones, and both sides of the face of the crib sheathed with 2-inch plank extending 4 feet above and below the water line. Some 25 oak piles were driven in front of the south and west faces of the crib and secured with heavy oak waling to protect the crib from floating ice and uneven settlement. The entire decking of the crib was removed and replaced by new, as well as the decayed deck joist. Various repairs were made.

1892 - 1058. Sandusky Bay North Range, Sandusky Bay, Ohio.—Four ladders were secured to the faces of the crib and 14 oak piles were driven at the corners of the crib to protect it from ice freshets. The clusters of spring piles were encircled with chains.

1893 – 1083,1084, 1085. Sandusky Bay Ranges, on the outer bank at the elbow of the dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Ohio.—As it was found that the beacons could be better lighted with lens lanterns, the use of gasoline at these ranges was discontinued and the beacons were lighted with 5-day lens lanterns. The gasoline machines were both sold at public auction and the net proceeds were turned into the United States Treasury. Various slight repairs were made. The new straight channel will, it is understood, be completed by midsummer, 1894, and may be ready for use in the fall of 1893. As it is wider, deeper, and more direct than the old channel the latter will be no longer needed. The range lights marking the old channel should, therefore, be moved at once, so as to mark the new channel. There are now two ranges formed by three beacons. Only one range of two beacons will be needed to mark the new channel. The third beacon may be discontinued. This range is very important, as the entire commerce of Sandusky is dependent upon it. The two beacons should be built anew and a dwelling for the keeper should be built near one of the beacons. The beacons should be located on the bar, in water from 5 to 7 feet deep, and on a good foundation. It is estimated that this work can be done at a cost not exceeding $25,000, and the Board recommends that an appropriation of this amount be made therefor.

1894 – 1105, 1106,1107. Sandusky Bay ranges, on the outer bank at the elbow of the dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Ohio.—The main crib and the boat harbor were repaired and strengthened, and five rooms in the dwelling were papered. The following recommendation made in the Board’s last annual report is renewed:
The new straight channel will, it is understood, be completed by midsummer, 1894, and may be ready for use in the fall of 1893. As it is wider, deeper, and more direct than the old channel, the latter will he no longer needed. The range lights marking the old channel should therefore he moved at once, so as to mark the new channel. There are now two ranges formed by three beacons. Only one range of two beacons will be needed to mark the new channel. The third beacon may be discontinued. This range is very important, as the entire commerce of Sandusky is dependent upon it. The two beacons should be built anew and a dwelling for the keeper should be built near one of the beacons. The beacons should be located on the bar, in water from 5 to 7 feet deep, and on a good foundation. It is estimated that this work can be done at a cost not exceeding $25,000, and the Board recommends that an appropriation of this amount be made therefor.
The new straight channel from Cedar Point to the east end of dock channel has now been practically completed. It is wider, deeper, and more direct than the old channel; the three beacons of the present ranges are of no value for the new channel and the old channel will hereafter be very little used. A new range of two beacons is needed at once to mark the new straight channel and when completed the old ranges of three beacons will be no longer needed. The new beacons should be located on the bar, in water from 5 to 7 feet deep. The recommendation for an appropriation of $25,000 for the purpose is therefore renewed.
NOTE.—An appropriation of $25,000 was made in the sundry civil appropriation act approved August 18, 1894, for moving and rebuilding the range lights and building a keeper’s dwelling. The work will be taken in hand at an early day.

1895 – 1124, 1125. Sandusky Bay range, Lake Erie, Ohio.—Contracts were made for building the crib foundations, the keeper’s dwelling, and both beacons for this light-station, to be completed during the present season. The act approved August 18, 1894, appropriated $25,000 for moving and rebuilding the range lights and keeper’s dwelling. Designs for the buildings and foundations were prepared, contracts were made for the construction of two cribs and stone foundations for the keeper’s dwelling and front and rear beacons. The contract for the first named provides for the completion of the work by October 30, 1895, and that for the second-named by April 1, 1896.

1896 — Sandusky Bay ranges, on the outer bank at the elbow of the dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Ohio.—The lights of these ranges were discontinued on the establishment of the Sandusky Bay Range (straight channel) light-station, Ohio.

1896 – 1237,1238. Sandusky Bay Range, on the bar, entrance to Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—Congress, by act approved August 18, 1894, appropriated $25,000 for the moving and rebuilding of these range lights and the keeper’s dwelling. The structures consist of a keeper’s dwelling and the tower, which is the front beacon, on cribs 50 and 40 feet square, respectively, and about 1,500 feet apart. The station was completed sufficiently to be occupied and lighted. The lights were exhibited on the opening, of navigation in 1896. The cribs were surrounded with brush mattresses weighted with stone. It was thought best to place additional mattresses and stone to cover a wider distance from the cribs. This work is to be done by contract, and will be completed in the ensuing summer.

1897 – Sandusky Bay Ranges, on the outer bank of the elbow of the dredged channel, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio.—With the exception of the two iron shafts with their balconies, and lanterns of the rear beacon, the old structures on the cribs were removed.

Keepers: Joseph A. Gibaut (1879 – 1882), John M. Ferguson (1882 – 1885), August Kirner (1885 – 1891), William M. Everett (1891 – 1893), Frank Ritter (1893 – 1895).

No lights exist at this location today.

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