Winter Storm Turns Lighthouse into an Ice Castle

The Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse has been shining the way for ships entering the Cuyahoga River since 1911. But now, it has become a tourist attraction of its own, thanks to mother nature covering it in ice.

Since 1830, there have been three lighthouses. The first was replaced in 1870 with a taller version, which sadly burnt down. Finally, what we see today was erected at the end of the breakwall out into the harbor.

"The lighthouse is obviously accessible only by boat. Once you land on the breakwall, you'll enter the lighthouse through the door and just off to the right, there's a circular staircase and rooms throughout until you get up to the cupola where the lantern sits," said Lt. JG David Lieberman, of the United States Coast Guard.

In 1965 the light became automated, and for the first time no longer required a lighthouse keeper. Today, a solar powered light sits in its place. The original can still be found on display at the Great Lakes Science Center.

"This furnell lens here is the original lens from the West Pier Lighthouse that's encased in ice right now. This one's actually over 100 years old," said Matt Grabski, of the William G. Mather.

Throughout the day amateur photographers took advantage of the clear skies to photograph the lighthouse covered in ice.

"Last spring I had some pictures of an ore carrier moving through here while there was still some ice on the lake, but the lighthouse was clear, so I'll be looking forward to comparing it today," said amateur photographer, Kolma Rosenberg.

"I have a picture of it in the summertime from the water, and now I have a winter picture," said observer, Jess Hamilton.

As for its future?

"Right now the lighthouse is owned by the coastguard. In the past two years, they put a notice of availability out where people could try to bid on the structure, but right now, for the foreseeable future, the coastguard owns it," said Lieberman.