Put-in-Bay Harbor Celebrates Five Major Anniversaries in 2025
In 2025, five long-standing institutions connected to Put-in-Bay are marking milestone anniversaries, reflecting the island’s deep roots in history, science, recreation, and tourism.
The Inter-Lake Yachting Association (I-LYA) marks its 140th anniversary this year. Founded in 1885, I-LYA is a regional organization representing more than 130 boating clubs across the Great Lakes. While headquartered elsewhere, Put-in-Bay serves as its symbolic center, hosting regattas like the junior sailing event in mid-July and the adult sailing regatta, Bay Week, August 1–3.
Miller Boat Line, the island’s iconic ferry service, is celebrating 120 years since its founding in 1905. Now run by the Market family, the company began as an ice harvesting business. Today, it remains one of the island’s most vital transportation links, employing more than 100 people in the summer season.
At Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of the towering Greek Doric column overlooking the harbor. Standing 352 feet tall—nearly 50 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty—the monument honors the Battle of Lake Erie and the peace that followed between the U.S., Britain, and Canada. The memorial will close again in 2026 and 2027 for repairs to its base.
Stone Laboratory, Ohio State University’s freshwater research facility on Gibraltar Island, is marking its 100th year on the island. First established in 1895, the lab moved to its current location in 1925 after philanthropist Julius F. Stone donated the land in memory of his father. Stone Lab continues to lead in environmental science and education on the Great Lakes.
The Boardwalk, one of Put-in-Bay’s most recognizable waterfront restaurants, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Known as the “Lobster Bisque Capital of Ohio,” it has grown from a modest seafood shack into a multi-deck dining destination. A special promotion in June sold over 700 bowls of bisque in one day. A second event is planned for September.
Larry Fletcher, president of Shores & Islands Ohio, reflected on what these anniversaries mean for visitors and residents alike: “It’s a departure from the mainland in terms of physical distance and in terms of a person’s mindset.”
Wendy Chambers, executive director of the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce, noted, “The longevity of these Put-in-Bay businesses are all just wonderful assets to the Bay.”
As Put-in-Bay continues to evolve, 2025 offers a chance to reflect on the legacy of institutions that helped shape the island’s identity over the past century and more.
This article is a summarized rewrite of original reporting by Tom Henry for The Blade. Read the full story here.
