Put-in-Bay, Ohio–Visitors to South Bass Island once again have the chance to explore Lake Erie science and history summer tours at the South Bass Island Lighthouse, the Aquatic Visitors Center and on Gibraltar Island.
The South Bass Island Lighthouse, which was completed in 1897, is located at the southwest tip of the island and was in operation until 1962. The lighthouse grounds are open to the public dawn to dusk free of charge unless otherwise posted. Free tours will be offered from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10 and October 8, 2022. Visitors can climb the lighthouse stairs to take in the view from the top of the tower. Tours for groups of 10 or more may be scheduled April through November by calling 419-285-1800.
The Aquatic Visitors Center on South Bass Island
The Aquatic Visitors Center is an educational facility, giving visitors of all ages the chance to explore Lake Erie’s complex ecosystem through hands-on activities and aquaria containing live Lake Erie fish. Children ages 15 and younger can borrow fishing gear and fish for free off the 100-foot pier. A limited number of free life jackets, provided by the BoatUs Foundation, are available for loan. AVC tours are free and open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays June 15 through August 20, 2022. Group tour reservations are available mid-May through October at a cost of $5 per person by calling 419-285-1800.
Two science and history tours of Gibraltar Island are offered each Thursday from June 16 through August 18, 2022 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Groups tour the island, including Perry’s Lookout and the glacial 
grooves and see the outside of Cooke Castle before learning more about Stone Lab research. Tours can accommodate up to 70 people and are first-come, first-served. To attend, meet at 9:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. at the Boardwalk Restaurant dock, 341 Bayview Ave. in Put-in-Bay. Tours are $10 per person, $5 for children, plus $8 for round-trip fare to Gibraltar Island, payable to the water taxi driver.
Gibraltar Island and the South Bass Island Lighthouse are owned by The Ohio State University, and all three attractions are managed by Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory. For more information on scheduling your trip, visit go.osu.edu/tours.
Located on the 6.5-acre Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay harbor, Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and the research, education, and outreach facility of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. The Ohio Sea Grant College Program is part of The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. For information on Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu.
Text courtesy of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab
Put-in-Bay School Board confirms the hiring of a new school superintendent for 2022-2023 at a board meeting held on Tuesday, 17 May 2022. Mr. Scott Mangas, currently the Ottoville, Ohio, Local School District Superintendent, was in attendance at the meeting. He was joined by his wife, Jill. Mr. Mangas holds a Bachelor of Special Education and Teaching from Toledo University, and a Master of Educational Leadership from the University of Findlay.
Put-in-Bay School senior Kate Byrnes presented a video documentary to Put-in-Bay School Board today. Ms. Byrnes and Jacob King, accompanied by chaperone Mr. Green, visited San Francisco, California. The images below do not reflect the high quality and professionalism of the video, but offer a mere glimpse into the senior trip adventure. The video itself may be released by Put-in-Bay School in the near future.
Newspaper editor Horace Greeley said, “Go west, young man!” But have you seen the view to the east?
For more about Lake Erie access to South Bass Island, visit 
serenity of DeRivera Park and the 
