S. R. Kirby 116235

This vessel was built at Wyandotte, Michigan by the Detroit Dry Dock Company in 1890. She was 2338 gross ton. Until 1916, when she foundered about 8 miles north of Eagle Harbor, Michigan in Lake Superior May 8, 1916 with a cargo of iron ore, she was owned by the North Western Transportation Company of Detroit, Michigan. Two of the twenty-two crew members were lost.

Kirkwood II (Canada 178908)

This vessel, weighing 35 gross ton, was built at Prince Edward Island by Summerside in 1944. She was owned by the Minister of Lands and Forests of Toronto, Ontario from 1947 to 1953. That year she was purchased by Arthur W. R. Hill of Hamilton, Ontario. In 1960, Rentronic Corporation, also of Toronto, bought and owned her for the next three years. It is believed she was scrapped in 1969.

Dalrymple (Canada138187)

This vessel, weighing 1711 gross ton, was built at Collingwood, Ontario in 1923 by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company, Ltd. From that date until 1927 she was owned by the Main Transit Company, Ltd,, located in Collingwood, Ontario. In 1927 until 1960, when she scraped, she was owned by the Canada Steamship Lines, Ltd., of Montreal. During those years, she was known as the "Kinmount."

Kingdoc (Canada 149429)

The "Kingdoc" was built in 1927 by Swan, Hunter & Wighham Richardson, Ltd. of Wallsend-on-Tyne in Great Britain. She was of 1926 gross ton. Until 1950, she was owned by the Peterson Steamships, Ltd. of Fort William, Ontario. The following year and until 1961 when she was scrapped, she was owned by N. M. Peterson & Sons. Ltd. of Fort William, Ontario.

Beebe House

The Beebe House was one of the first hotels built on South Bass Island. Constructed in the 1860s, it was expanded by Henry Beebe in 1869. Situated on Main Street in Put-in-Bay, the hotel accommodated 400 guests. It housed a billiard room, bowling alley, and dance hall. Rates were $14,00 per week and $2.50 per day. Servants and children were half price.

The Round House

The Round House has been a prominent landmark at Put-in-Bay for more tthan a century. The building was built as a residence in Toledo, Ohio. It was dismantled and brought to South Bass Island and rebuilt at the corner of Delaware and Lorain Avenues, where it began operations in 1873 at the Columbia Restaurant. It remains one of the most popular bars on the island. At right is the Park Hotel.

Put-in-Bay House

The Put-in-Bay House was built in 1836 and opened as a rooming house in 1861. It featured a gymnasium, dance hall, and a 500-foot verandah. In 1878, the hotel burned. its successor, built in 1890, also was destroyed by fire in 1907.

Put-in-Bay Commercial District

Titled "Along the Pike, Put-in-Bay, O." this postcard features Delaware Avenue, the main commercial district of Put-in-Bay. The Hunker House was known by several names during its existence. Here it is the Hotel Delschlacer. In its final days of 1971, it was the Crescent Hotel.

Bay Side Scene at Cedar Point

This image shows the peaceful scene of the bay side of Cedar Point around 1885. In the distance can be seen the city of Sandusky, Ohio. A steamer docks nearby/

Sandusky Bay side of Cedar Point

The sheltered bay side of Cedar Point offered small boaters calm waters. During the 19th century, Cedar Point was heavily wooded as this picture shows.

Foot of Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio

The foot of Columbus Avenue in Sandusky, Ohio was the location of Lake Erie steamer service during the years from 1870 to 1930. As this picture shows hundreds of men and women have arrived and parked their automobiles and are preparing to board steamers for Lakeside, Kelleys Island, Cedar Point, and South Bass Island.

South Bass Island Toboggan Water Slide

This aerial view shows the toboggan water slide on South Bass Island. Many such water slides existed on bathing beaches on Lake Erie's islands during the 1920s. .

Steamers at Columbus Avenue in Sandusky, Ohio

During its heydey, the first decades of the 20th century, Lake Erie steamer service to the islands made Sandusky's Columbus Avenue a busy place. Boats carried visitors to resorts and beaches throughout the islands.

President William Howard Taft and First Lady Nellie Taft at South Bass Island

This picture shows President William Howard Taft and First Lady Helen Herron Taft readying to lay the cornerstone of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island in August 1912. The monument was built between 1912 and 1915 to commemorate Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's victory on Lake Erie over the British fleet in September 1813. It also represented the lasting peace between the U.S., Canada, and England.

The Steamer Pearl

This image, taken around 1880 shows the steamer "Pearl" readying to dock at the Put-in-Bay House on South Bass Island. Sandy beaches, warm waters, natural harbors, and wineries began attracting visitors to the Erie Islands in the 1860s. This picture shows the harbor at Put-in-Bay taken from Gibraltar Island.