Wayfarrow

Lorain West Breakwater Light

Lighthouse · Lorain County, Ohio

Lorain West Breakwater Light is a lighthouse in Lorain County, Ohio. Ohio has 21 lighthouses on record at Wayfarrow, 2 of them in Lorain County.

It was built in 1917, in the early 20th century, making it the 14th oldest of the 19 in Ohio with a recorded construction date; the tower stands about 51 feet tall (8th tallest of 12 measured in Ohio); its light sits 57 feet above the water; the light characteristic is recorded as Fl R 4s (a red flash every 4 seconds), with a range of about 6 nautical miles; it guards Lake Erie; it was deactivated in 1965.

Status check, 2026-11: The light was retired in 1965 and was slated for demolition before local preservationists saved it. It was relit in 2001 and is run by the Lorain Lighthouse Foundation. One source gives 58 ft, but that matches the height of the light (focal plane), not the 51-ft tower. Lorain West Breakwater Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands at 41.4776° N, 82.1905° W.

Key facts

Current structure built1917
Tower height51 ft
Focal height57 ft
Light characteristicFl R 4s
Range6 nautical miles
Deactivated1965
Body of waterLake Erie
Heritage designationNational Register of Historic Places listed place
National RegisterListed
Coordinates41.47760, -82.19050

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Nearby places

Questions

Where is Lorain West Breakwater Light?

Lorain West Breakwater Light is in Lorain County, Ohio, at 41.4776, -82.1905.

How many lighthouses are in Lorain County?

Lorain County, Ohio has 2 lighthouses on record at Wayfarrow.

Sources and licences

Facts marked "approximately" carry an uncertain date in the source. Text on this page is generated from the sources above; no encyclopedia prose is copied. Last updated 2026-11-05.