Formed during the second glacial age, the shoreline of Marblehead consists of solid limestone. During the 1800's, many stone quarries populated our town and served as the primary industry. Today, the only active quarry is LaFarge which occupies a majority of the midsection of Marblehead. Almost daily you can view freighters at the downtown dock loading their cargo of limestone. Fishing, farming and fruit growing were the other principal activities in the Village and surrounding area. Today, the focus is centered on tourism.
Freighter at Dock
Marblehead encompasses just over two and one-half square miles and is home to a permanent population of approximately one thousand. We enjoy an eclectic mix of summer cottages, permanent homes and lakefront condominiums. We are also home to the busiest Coast Guard station on the Great Lakes and the oldest continuously operating Lighthouse on the Great Lakes. This was the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes to have a female Lighthouse Keeper. The Marblehead Lighthouse has also appeared on a U.S. postage stamp.
From spring until fall, our town is bustling with tourists who enjoy fishing, boating and leisure time activities. Winter brings a peaceful stillness to Marblehead. When a fresh snowfall gently descends, one can hardly resist taking a photograph of this picture-perfect scene of a small-town winter. As Lake Erie freezes, the ice fishermen emerge and head onto the frozen waters in search of walleyed pike. The spring thaw brings welcome sunshine, Lakeside Daisies and city-weary weekenders in search of our peaceful atmosphere.
Biro Manufacturing
Marblehead is also home to Biro Manufacturing and Richmond Gallery, where world-renown artist Ben Richmond creates nautical images invoking memories of lake lore past.
The same services, and more, that are found in much larger cities are available here. We have a excellent public water system, sanitary sewers, police, fire and EMS, high-speed internet access, a ferry to Kelleys Island, a wealth of businesses catering to nearly every possible need, attractive parks and five different denominations of churches. The Village of Marblehead enjoys a deep-rooted history fashioned by a community of neighbors with values strong in family and rich in faith.