New state trail shows off local attractions

MARBLEHEAD — A new Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail that shows off Ohio's waterways heritage highlights many local attractions, including the Marblehead Lighthouse and the Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial in Put-in-Bay. The new trail, which seeks to call attention to more than 150 sites across Ohio, focuses plenty of attention on Lake Erie but also points to the Ohio River's role in state history and to Ohio's network of canals. For example, there are canal-related attractions in Cleveland, and the Cincinnati History Museum includes an exhibit on how Ohio River traffic shaped the city. It's the third in a series of trails created by America 250-Ohio, the state commission set up to help celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. next year. It follows upon the creation of the Ohio Air and Space Trail, which launched last year and includes Liberty Aviation Museum near Port Clinton, and the Ohio Creativity Trail, unveiled earlier this year. Look under "Programs" at america250-ohio.org to find maps of the three trails that have been created so far, including printable versions, and other suggestions for interesting places to visit in Ohio. "Lake Erie, the Ohio River and the canals were highways of hope," said Melinda Huntley, executive director of the Ohio Travel Association, America 250-Ohio Commissioner and co-project leader for the Trails & Tales program. "They built towns, attracted inventors, created jobs and brought people together. Today, their legacy flows through every scenic overlook, preserved towpath, and community that still thrives along their shores. The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail will help all Ohioans explore and connect with the waters that moved a nation," Huntley said. Travel on the trails Here are the local attractions featured on the new Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail: Erie County • Maritime Museum of Sandusky, 125 Meigs St., Sandusky • Goodtime Lake Erie Island Cruises, 109 W. Shoreline Drive, Sandusky • Jet Express: 101 W. Shoreline Drive, Sandusky • Cedar Point Lighthouse, 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky • Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve, 2715 Cleveland Road W. (U.S. 6), Huron • Huron Lighthouse, North Main Street, Huron • Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve and State Nature Preserve, 2514 Cleveland Road East (U.S. 6), Huron • Vermilion Lighthouse, 480 Main St., Vermilion • Milan Museum/Milan Canal Exhibit and Walking Tour, 10 N. Edison Drive, Milan • North Shore Alvar State Nature Preserve, Ward Road, Kelleys Island • Kelleys Island State Park, 920 Division St. Kelleys Island • The Kelleys Island German Reform Church, 224 Division St., Kelleys Island Ottawa County • Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, 110 Lighthouse Drive, Lakeside-Marblehead • Wolcott Keeper's House, 9999 E Bayshore Road, Danbury Township • Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Lines, 510 Main St., Marblehead • Lakeside Chautauqua, 236 Walnut St., Lakeside • East Harbor State Park, 1169 N Buck Road, Lakeside-Marblehead. • Miller Boat Line, 5174 E. Water St. (end of Ohio 53 north), Port Clinton • Port Clinton Lighthouse, West Ohio 163, Port Clinton • Jet Express, 49 Jackson St., Port Clinton • Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, 93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay • Put-in-Bay Aquatic Visitor Center, 360 W. Short Blvd., Put-in-Bay • Lake Erie Islands Historical Society and Museum, 443 Catawba Ave., Put-in-Bay • Stone Laboratory, 878 Bayview Ave., Put-in-Bay • South Bass Island State Park, 1523 Catawba Ave., Put-in-Bay • South Bass Island Lighthouse, 2368 Langram Road, Put-in-Bay • Oak Harbor Public Library, Local History & Museum, 147 W Main St., Oak Harbor • Magee Marsh Visitor Center, 13229 Ohio 2, Oak Harbor • Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 14000 W. Ohio 2, Oak Harbor