Surrounded by water on three sides, Fairport Harbor, Ohio, was once a
gateway to the Western Reserve, welcoming more ships to its shores than
Cleveland. These ships brought immigrants-Irish, English, and others-who
saw the harbor's towering 1825 lighthouse, one of the town's two
lighthouses on the National Registry of Historic Sites, as a beacon for
freedom, hope, and opportunity. Indeed, the town served a prominent role
in the Underground Railroad, helping southern slaves along their way to
freedom in Canada. Ship building and Great Lakes shipping became the
major industries, and soon homes, warehouses, and businesses began to
flourish-Fairport Harbor was booming.
Fairport Harbor tells the story of the village's rich history with
captivating vintage photographs that capture all the natural beauty of
this lakeside community. Featured inside are the historic
landmarks-buildings, churches, and of course lighthouses that are so
identifiable with the village's past. Also featured are the people-the
fishermen, shipbuilders, and railroad workers who all helped build one
of the most picturesque harbor towns on all of Lake Erie's shores.