Huron’s harbor, from ore docks to a waterfront city
The Erie County city at the mouth of the Huron River was once a busy industrial port. Its harbor and lighthouse now anchor a quieter waterfront economy.
Huron, a small city on Lake Erie at the mouth of the Huron River, about 25 miles northeast of Bellevue, owes its existence to its harbor. For most of the 20th century, freighters unloaded iron ore there for steel mills inland, and the docks employed hundreds.
An industrial port
Huron’s ore docks and rail lines connected lake shipping to mills in central Ohio. As the steel industry shrank and shipping patterns changed, the docks closed. Like many small Great Lakes ports, Huron had to find a new role for its waterfront. The harbor is still maintained for navigation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District, which dredges Lake Erie harbors.
The lighthouse
The Huron Harbor Light, at the end of the breakwater, dates to the 1930s and is an Art Deco-style steel tower, distinct from the older stone lighthouses along the lake. It is a common walk for residents and visitors.
Today’s waterfront
Huron has turned toward recreation and residential development, with a boat basin, a public pier, parks and restaurants. Its location between Sandusky and Vermilion makes it a quieter alternative for visitors to the Cedar Point area. The city is also home to Bowling Green State University’s Firelands campus, which serves students from Huron, Erie and Sandusky counties, including some from Bellevue.
Dredging and the future
Keeping small harbors open depends on federal dredging money, which is often debated in Congress. Ohio’s delegation, including Rep. Marcy Kaptur on the Appropriations Committee, has fought for Great Lakes harbor funding.
More on the shoreline economy in our look at Lake Erie tourism and in Business.