- Allen
- Auglaize
- Crawford
- Darke
- Defiance
- Erie
- Fulton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Henry
- Huron
- Logan
- Lorain
- Lucas
- Mercer
- Morrow
- Ottawa
- Paulding
- Putnam
- Richland
- Sandusky
- Seneca
- Shelby
- Van Wert
- Williams
- Wood
- Wyandot
The city of Huron is located on the shores of Lake Erie and just a few miles east of Sandusky. The community has all the charm of a New England village for good reason: it was first settled by Connecticut settlers looking for a new home after their homes and businesses were destroyed by the British in the American Revolutionary War. Huron is at the center of the historic Firelands District.
The Firelands District was a small section of land at the western end of the Connecticut Western Reserve. First, the Connecticut Western Reserve was land claimed by the colony of Connecticut when it was first created. The English king, King Charles II, gave the colony the right to lay claim to this land. King Charles II had no idea of what he was doing or how much land this claim awarded the colonists of Connecticut, but he did so anyway. After the Revolutionary War the state of Connecticut insisted this claim be honored so the state of Connecticut would actually stretch across what would later become northern Ohio. This idea was also implemented by many of the states. After the war, as the original 13 states were being organized, the federal government began to realize just how big our new country actually was, and that it was already inhabited. They they began to reign in the original states claims and authorized the formation of new states, like Ohio.
Connecticut claimed that they needed this land to pay off some citizens who had lost all of their possessions including their homes when England burned them during the war. The payoff was to be land located in the wilderness of the Ohio Territory. In time this land became known as the Firelands. Huron was one of those communities were Connecticut residents gathered to build a new life.
Housed in the McCormick Middle School in Huron, the Huron Playhouse is Ohio's oldest continuing summer theatre. The summer theatre curtain first opened on June 29, 1949 with the performance of John Loves Mary, a Broadway comedy. Over the years the Huron Playhouse has given 100s of students the opportunity to experience of stage acting.
Construction of the McCormick Middle School building is of particular interest beyond being home of Huron's middle school students and the Huron Playhouse. In 1939 when construction began there was a shortage of steel and the school was built almost entirely of concrete. Of special note is the architectural style of the school. In the world of architecture, it is known as the Art Moderne which was a new 1930s style of building that featured streamlined lines, flat roofs and originally, white walls. Another incorporated feature in the Huron Middle School are the concrete barrel roofs over the gymnasium-auditorium. These unique roofs were built in place. The school opened to students in 1943.
The school was originally designed to educate high school students on one side of the building and elementary students on the other.
Adam E. Cornelius docked in Huron River
Located just outside the mouth of Sandusky Bay, the Huron River made an ideal port for traders dating back to the mid 1700s when a French trading post was located here. Since those early days, the Port Huron and Lake Erie commerce has played an important role in Huron's commercial development. Much of this commerce revolved around the maritime industries which including shipbuilding, shipping, and commercial fishing.
During the War of 1812, the Huron River and harbor were used extensively to build both large sailing vessels used on Lake Erie, and small scows used to transport men and supplies on Sandusky Bay.
Several shipyards were located on Huron River's west bank. Railroad terminus were located on the east shore where railroad cars arrived regularly with iron ore.
Huron Harbor Lighthouse
Near the mouth of the Huron River, is the Huron Harbor Lighthouse. The current light was constructed in the 1930s and stands 75 feet above the end of the fishing pier. The design of the light house is Art Deco, which was a common building style of the 30s. Although the lighthouse is not open to visitors, it is possible to walk the approximate 1 mile long pier for close up views of this unique lighthouse.
Today the once busy port of Huron is home to 100s of pleasure boats and fishing charters. There are still 2 slips that can handle the large lake freighters.
Located just west of Huron is Sheldon Marsh Nature Preserve includes some of the last stretches of undeveloped shoreline in Sandusky Bay. The preserve includes natural habitat of plant and animal life that once existed all along this part of Ohio. The 465 acres of beach, marsh and woodlands attracts an estimate 300 different bird species and wildflowers. From about mid April into June are some of the best times to visit the marsh. The preserve includes a mile paved trail that is wheelchair accessible. There are other short side trails that are not paved, but are not designed for easy wheelchair access..
NOTE: Ohio has over a 130 State Nature Preserves. These diverse areas are all that remains of what Ohio was like before mass settlement began at the beginning of the 19th Century. These set aside lands are meant to protect the land and are not always easily accessible. They should not be confused with state parks that are designed for easy access, plenty of parking and amenities.
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