Ohio Beach Towns - Ohio Magazine.com
Published by: Ohio Magazine
Written by: Megan Ayscue, Cameron Hoover & Sally Kershner | Photo by Kristen Jones
Original Article can be found here.
Fairport Harbor
Home to a bustling Lake Erie port during the 19th century, today this quiet village offers an inviting sand beach, waterfront recreation and plenty of history.
Walking the beach at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, it’s easy to see the appeal. Over your shoulder stands the town’s historic lighthouse, a constant for more than 190 years. In the distance, its replacement, the West Breakwater Lighthouse, beckons with its square white exterior and red roof. Children and dogs play on the beach, kayakers paddle in the harbor, and fishermen cast their lines.
The park is the main draw, but a short walk south gives you a clearer picture of the town. Its neighborhoods — arranged along a gridded, 1-square-mile street layout — offer evidence of this village’s role in settling the Connecticut Western Reserve that once stretched across what today is northern Ohio.
The land here was surveyed at the end of the 18th century, and over the 100 years that followed the harbor became one of the most popular ports on Lake Erie. Many Finnish, Hungarian and Slovak immigrants settled here, evidenced today by the local churches and memorials in the public park. History buffs can visit the Finnish Heritage Museum and Marine Museum and Lighthouse. Because everything in town is close by, you can hit the beach, check out the museums and enjoy a lunch along the water in just a few hours. When it comes to lakeside dining, head to Sunset Harbor Bar and Grille, with its picnic tables perched along a dock that has water on three sides.
“There’s nowhere you can go [in the area] and get a view like this,” says owner Tom Moore. “Everywhere else is in a shopping mall or looking at a parking lot or a street.” For directions and more information, visit fairportharbor.org.
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park: Managed by Lake Metroparks, this well-maintained sand beach, which is staffed Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, has become a destination for locals and travelers alike. Beachgoers can swim and boat on Lake Erie, and adapted programming is offered for visitors with special needs. Park amenities include two fire rings, picnic areas and two volleyball courts, as well as kayak and paddleboard rentals. 301 Huntington Beach Dr., Fairport Harbor 44077, 440/639-9972, lakemetroparks.com
Finnish Heritage Museum: Linda Katila and Veikko Malkamaki founded this museum in 2002 to preserve items reflecting Finnish heritage. It’s home to a collection of Finnish artifacts including photographs, kitchenware and textiles. Weaving demonstrations and group tours are offered. “You can learn about Finnish culture, but also experience the friendliness of the people in Fairport Harbor,” says Anne Pohto, a member of the museum’s genealogy team. 301 High St., Fairport Harbor 44077, 440/352-8301, finnishheritagemuseum.org
Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse: Even though this lighthouse was decommissioned in 1925, it still serves as a local beacon. Since 1945, visitors here have learned about the port’s history and enjoyed views from the lighthouse, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad. “If you look at how much history has occurred in this little corner of Ohio, you’d be shocked,” says museum trustee Dan Maxson. 129 Second St., Fairport Harbor 44077, 440/354-4825, fairportharborlighthouse.org
The Pompadour: Named for the owner’s favorite 1960s hairdo, this restaurant specializes in small plates inspired by traditional Spanish tapas and other Latin flavors. Chef and owner Rusty Phillips says the turkey albondigas (Mexican meatballs) and barbecue short ribs are two of the most popular dishes on his menu. “There wasn’t anything like it around the area,” he says. “We thought it would be a good idea to be different.” 320 High St., Fairport Harbor 44077, 440/639-0263, thepompadourbar.com
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