An Unexpected Beacon in Ohio's Countryside: The Inland Eddystone Doppelganger

Way off the beaten path in rural Ohio, there's an oddity that's far from the coast - nestled on the banks of Grand Lake St. Marys. This strange version of reality, known as the Northwoods Lighthouse, is a nod to the illustrious Eddystone of England, but with a twist. While the real deal stands proudly next to the sea, this one stands tall over the inland waters of Grand Lake St. Marys, a sprawling lake, named for its thirst-quenching job for the Miami and Erie Canal.

So, in a roundabout way, this inland lighthouse is part of canal history, just not the ordinary kind. Hey, ain't no rule that says all gold comes from a treasure chest, right? Grand Lake St. Marys is the home to three lighthouses: one revealed by the Celina Rotary Club in 1986, another erected at the lake's south end in 2003, but the Northwoods Lighthouse, hidden in its secluded nook, remains as elusive as ever. The local landowners keep public access tight, keeping its rustic charm intact.

Built back in 1923, the Northwoods Lighthouse is a dead ringer for the famous Eddystone, sporting a dome of bronze and glass, with a decorative weathervane at the top. In 1982, the lighthouse's unusual Ohio roots were recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it a shining star in the region, and the only historic lighthouse around.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons