Did you know there is a building that sits to the side of SR 53 toward the Catawba Island Peninsula, where you can stroll past an 18-foot light house? Or board a brig that is 21 feet long? These are only a few of the unique things to see and experience when you visit the Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center located in Port Clinton, Ohio! Opened to the public in 2003, the welcome center has worked to provide a wealth of area information for visitors and locals alike.
The land the welcome center is situated on has ties to the history of the Erie-Ottawa International Airport. The airport evolved with the history of the local use of the Ford Tri-motor airplane. The “Tin Goose” airplane flew what was once known as the “shortest airline in the world.” This route provided flights and services to the Bass Islands. The FAA put forth a proposal to change a parcel of land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use in the northeast quarter of the airport. In 2000, it declared there would be no impact from changing the use of the land, and the plan to build a visitors’ center came to fruition. In 2012, the Liberty Aviation Museum opened just adjacent to the welcome center. With a vast array of items to view in the museum, it has boosted the ability to preserve local history.
On the outside of the building a three-foot-thick silhouette wall runs a total of 199 feet long, which boasts carvings and designs. At its greatest height, the silhouette wall reaches 42 feet. The front façade is constructed of native limestone representing the maritime and agricultural legacy of the region. Shapes such as a silo, a lighthouse, and a tree can be found.
With a total square footage of 8,720 feet, there is plenty of room for displays, exhibits, information kiosks and more inside! Roughly 1,000 square feet is allocated to the main exhibit area; and even twice as much space dedicated to the information kiosks that dot the center. Mentioned above, the lighthouse is a model of the Marblehead Lighthouse, and the brig represents the USS Lawrence which played a role in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
In the welcome center there are currently eight large exhibits with permanent themes. Some of these include a miniature Lakeside Chautauqua Pavilion, a fish and wildlife display, and even a vine covered lattice dedicated to the history of grape growing in the region. These interactive exhibits help guests of the center immerse themselves in topics such as maritime history, ecotourism, and invasive species. Though you may spot a lamprey lounging in our expanse, don’t worry! He’s plastic and quite harmless (unlike the real ones – but that is a whole other blog!) Access to a touch screen podium to learn about shipwrecks on the Great Lakes is available near our reading nook. New to the center as of 2023 is a large native planting project on the outdoor grounds around the center. The project promotes native plants by type and helps our population understand the beneficial impact the cultivation of native species can provide to pollinators and lake health alike!
If you are a sightseer feeling overwhelmed by the extensive manifold of area activities or attractions, we can help! Our staff can help you narrow down what to see and do. We have materials that apprise locales from Elmore to Vermilion. As locals would attest, one aspect of living by the lake is that people come to visit! If you have guests coming, and need some extra space for your callers, our friendly travel counselors can help recommend rentals or a hotel room that will meet your needs.
Come pay a visit and appreciate the unique construction of our establishment. There are also exciting possibilities on the horizon for our space here at our west office. You will just have to pop in every now and then to be in the know. From long time locals to first time guests to the region, our center has something for everyone to enjoy and explore!
Oh, and yes, we do have maps!