Local Millionaire Buys Ohio Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Oct 30, 2009 in Lighthouses For Sale, News 
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Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Sells For $77,000
After a flurry of bidding that ultimately went to the original bidder, nicknamed samsloan, the beautiful Fairport Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse ended up in the hands of a local millionaire and founder of the Osborne Construction Companies, Jerome T. Osborne, of Mentor, Ohio. For the money, Mr. Osborne gets one of the more attractive lighthouses that have come up for auction, and tentative plans at this time, according to the MSNBC station WKYC.Com, are to merely preserve and protect the station.
Also in the story, is the mention that local historical societies didn’t have the cash needed to “save the dilapidated lighthouse,” listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lighthouse News does tend to take exception with this wording, as the lighthouse isn’t exactly falling apart. It does need work, but it’s in surprisingly good shape, comparatively speaking, unlike other recent auction offerings.
From the story:
From the slender circular staircase to the lighthouse lamp, the building just needed too much work and too much money to return to its former glory. But when 87-year-old Mentor construction magnate Jerome Osborne found out that bidders from out-of-state had been making inquiries, he decided to answer the call for help.
The GSA disclosed that in the last four days, a bidding war erupted for the historic building. Thursday, Osborne was declared the winner with a bid of $77,000.
Bill Mackley, Secretary/Treasurer for the Osborne Company, said that his boss didn’t want publicity “Mr. Osborne has been quietly helping with public projects for years,” said Mackley. “He just continues to do it. Right here is a good example.”
Perhaps at some time Mr. Osborne will open the doors for tours, or maybe even overnight stays, but if not, it still is good to know that it looks to be in good hands. And if you have your heart set on owning a Great Lakes lighthouse for yourself, the Conneaut Lighthouse in Ohio will be coming up for auction again in the Spring of 2010. That light has reverted to the GSA after the purchaser, Gary Zaremba, was unable to get a lease for the bottomlands from Ohio. More to come on that soon.
Photo Credit: Fairport Harbor Lighthouse at Sunset by laslzo-photo. Some rights reserved.
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8 Comment(s)
By bague de fiancaille on Feb 7, 2010 | Reply
Such interesting read and information, thanks for sharing this post. I will check back to read your other new posts.
By Hekalit on May 17, 2010 | Reply
Not a bad price for such an amazing and not a conventional building, a lighthouse:)) I wonder how you can use it, live it is not likely.
By web-studia on Jul 29, 2010 | Reply
HI!
By Orso on Oct 5, 2010 | Reply
Its very nice topic! thanks
By hats this on Jun 21, 2011 | Reply
How many lighthouses are there in the world? How many actually matter? The fact that this person owns something unique and incredible for only 77k is amazing. Good purchase.
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By Joy on Oct 2, 2011 | Reply
A few years ago I visited the lighthouse at St. Augustine, Fl. What a neat place. Lots of steps and a magnificent view.
Joy
By Fifi on Sep 21, 2012 | Reply
Wow I would love to get one in the future. Like a holiday house is perfect. So I need minimum $77,000,00