Kelleys Island, Ohio
Kelleys Island, Ohio | ||
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FIPS code 39-39662[3] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 1086065[2] | |
Website | kelleysisland.us |
Kelleys Island South Shore District Kelleys Island Historic District | |
Location | Water St. on the southern side of Kelleys Island (original) Entire island (increase) |
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Coordinates | 41°35′41″N 82°42′35″W / 41.59472°N 82.70972°W |
Area | 23 acres (9.3 ha) (original) 2,888 acres (1,169 ha) |
Architectural style | Italianate, Queen Anne, Gothic Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 75001380 (original); 88002734 (increase)[4] |
Added to NRHP | March 27, 1975 (original) December 15, 1988 |
Kelleys Island is both a village in Erie County, Ohio, and the island which it fully occupies in Lake Erie. The island has a total area of 4.41 square miles (11.42 km2) and was formed by glacial action on limestone and dolomite.
As of the 2020 census it has a year-round population of under 300 and is primarily a vacation destination with a large seasonal influx of visitors and workers.
History
Kelleys Island was previously occupied by
After the Kelley brothers purchased the land, there was commercial development through extraction of the island's
Today, Kelleys Island is primarily a vacation destination, and is visited by thousands of people each summer. Notable attractions include its various beaches, parks, and campgrounds. Several
Native Americans and Inscription Rock
Kelleys Island is a
On the south shore of the island (near what is now the downtown-village area), there is a large limestone rock featuring
Many different items and scenes are cut into the large flat top side of the rock, which measures 32 feet (9.8 m) by 21 feet (10 by 6 m). Over time, most of the inscriptions on this rock have been eroded away. The indigenous peoples who are thought to have inscribed these images are said to have been annihilated about 1665 by Iroquois nations from the New York area, who were trying to conquer territory to control the fur trade.[7]
Early European settlers
This island is called "Sandusky Island" on maps produced in the latter half of the 18th-century.[8] (Prior to U.S. occupation of this area, the name "Cunningham's Island" seems to have been applied to present-day "Catawba Island", which was then also a true island.)[9] In the late 1790s the Connecticut Land Company surveyed the south east shore of Lake Erie.[10] A more thorough survey was completed in 1806, when this island was officially designated as "Island Number 6".[11] Later the name "Cunningham's Island" was used to refer to this island.
There is a legend that the first European American resident of this island was a man named "Cunningham" (supposedly a "Frenchman" or French-speaking Canadian).[12][13] He was said to have traveled to the island in 1803 with the intention of making his home there, at a time when it was still inhabited by Native Americans.[13] For a while, Cunningham enjoyed friendly relationship with the native people: he built a log cabin near their village, socialized with their hunters, and traded goods with them on a regular basis.[13] But (as the legend goes) Cunningham had a disagreement with the Native Americans, and a group tore down his home, stole all his possessions, and attempted to kill him.[13] He escaped to the Ohio Peninsula via canoe, but died shortly afterward from his wounds.[13] For many years after his death, the island was known as Cunningham Island.[13] [ However, the legend of Mr. Cunningham might instead apply to present-day Catawba Island, which seems to have been formerly named "Cunningham's Island" by the British, prior to 1804.[14]) (*-Also note that the surname 'Cunningham' is not typically of French origin, but is recorded as of Scottish origin.)] Prior to the War of 1812, several other white adventurers are documented as trying to settle this island, but all of them were eventually being driven away, either by the native people,[13] or by the incoming U.S. pioneers and land-owners. By the time the war had ended, the few remaining Native Americans had finally also vacated the island.
During the War of 1812, the west shore of Cunningham Island was developed as a military rendezvous post by US General William Henry Harrison.[13] In 1818, a man named Killam briefly attempted to start a logging company, but abandoned the island after the large steam-powered boat he used to transport wood to the mainland wrecked and sank.[13] Around 1826, people slowly began settling on the island; by 1830, six families made up its entire population.[13]
About the year 1833, Ben Napier, a
Acquisition by the Kelleys
In 1830, John Clemons and his brother began mining the island's limestone, and opened its first quarry.[18] They built a dock on the north side in order to ship the rock to the American mainland.[19] Shortly afterward, brothers Datus and Irad Kelley became aware of the island's potential worth, and slowly began purchasing its land in parcels.[19]
Datus and Irad Kelley were born in
The brothers quickly began improving and expanding the island's docks to export limestone, fruit, and
The quarries were the origin of the Kelley Island Lime & Transport Company, which was once the largest producer of limestone and lime products in the world, operating between 1896 and the early 1960s. Numerous ruins of these operations and quarries now dot the island.
In 1842, Charles Carpenter (son-in-law of Datus Kelley) of Norwich, Connecticut, began growing and harvesting grapes for wine on Kelleys Island. By the early 20th century, the island was annually producing 500,000 gallons of wine per year.[13]
The small village grew quickly, and soon a library and post office were erected. In 1901, the Estes Schoolhouse was built at a cost of $15,000.[13]
Recent history and modern day
Kelleys Island is heavily forested except for several
Kelleys Island has a cemetery located on Division Street, about a mile north from the center of downtown.[25] Although the cemetery is relatively small, several hundred people are buried or have memorial headstones there.[25] Burials include that of Datus Kelley.[26]
In 1975, 23 acres (9.3 ha) on the island's southern shore were designated as a
Kelleys Island is one of 20 members of the
Tourism
Kelleys Island is primarily a vacation destination. It is one of only 17 islands in the Great Lakes that has a year-round population.[28]
Beaches and wildlife
Kelleys Island features a number of public
.In August 2010, a report from
Businesses
The most common types of establishments on Kelleys Island are pubs and restaurants, almost all of which have a summer season from May into September. The island also features a coffee shop, miniature golf course, several small general/convenience stores, and a large number of gift shops. No liquor is sold on the island outside of bars or restaurants, but several shops do sell beer and wine.
The island is also home to The Kelley's Island Wine Company, established in 1872 and at one time one of the nation's largest wineries. It stopped operation after two major fires eventually destroyed its facility during the
Camps
Kelleys Island State Park contains a large campground.[32]
Camp Patmos, a Christian youth camp, is located on the northeast side of the island. Camp Patmos was purchased in 1952 from Nativity B.V.M. Parish of Cleveland as the site of a faith-based summer camp for youth.[33]
The Erie County
Transportation
Ferries
The first ferry to regularly serve the island was the Neuman Ferry, founded in 1907 by John Paul Neuman.[34] The boat originally provided transport from Lakeside, Ohio to what is now the island's East Harbor State Park.[34] At its peak, the company operated a fleet of four ferries: the Commuter, the Corsair, the Kelleys Islander, usually running out of Marblehead; and the Challenger running out of Sandusky.[34] The company folded in the first decade of the 21st century due to financial mismanagement, excessive growth with low market share, and steep price competition by the recently established Kelleys Island Ferry.[citation needed]
The Kelleys Island Ferry is the only line that runs year-round (weather permitting) between the island and the mainland. The line is owned by James "Jim" Palladino and his family.
A competing ferry line named the Jet Express runs during the season many times daily from Sandusky to Kelleys Island.[41] The boat line started in 1988; it operates from May through October. It is a passenger-only ferry, and does not carry vehicles. The Jet Express runs from Sandusky, Ohio and makes stops at Cedar Point, Kelleys Island, and Put-In-Bay.[42] The Jet Express boat takes approximately 20 minutes for the trip from Sandusky.[40]
Airport
Airline and destination
Airlines | Destinations |
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Port Clinton |
Highways
Kelleys Island is served by Ohio State Route 575. The route was created in 1937 and has not changed since, and is one of Ohio's only state highways to be disconnected from the rest of the system.
Other
Due to the island's small size, many people use
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.41 square miles (11.42 km2), of which 4.35 square miles (11.27 km2) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) is water.[45]
Geology
Kelleys Island consists of Middle
Overlying the Lucas Dolostone, is the Columbus Limestone, which consists of the lowermost Bellepoint Member, middle Marblehead Member, and uppermost Venice Member. The Bellepoint Member consists of
The Devonian limestone and dolomite that comprise Kelleys Island has been deeply eroded and scoured by the
Munro-Stasiuk and others[5] argue that the giant glacial grooves and the depression, in which they lie, were eroded by highly turbulent, high velocity, sediment-laden meltwater flows. Judging from similar tortuous, giant, glacial grooves, which are found all over, and between, the Lake Erie islands on high and low areas, the erosional features are interpreted to have formed during a subglacial meltwater megaflood that took place before or near the Last Glacial Maximum.[5]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1900 | 1,174 | — | |
1910 | 1,017 | −13.4% | |
1920 | 708 | −30.4% | |
1930 | 638 | −9.9% | |
1940 | 564 | −11.6% | |
1950 | 324 | −42.6% | |
1960 | 171 | −47.2% | |
1970 | 175 | 2.3% | |
1980 | 121 | −30.9% | |
1990 | 172 | 42.1% | |
2000 | 367 | 113.4% | |
2010 | 312 | −15.0% | |
2020 | 289 | −7.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[47][48] |
2020 census
The 2020 census showed a population of 289 with a median age of 65.9, in 149 households.[48]
2010 census
As of the
There were 175 households, of which 10.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 1.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.4% were non-families. 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.78 and the average family size was 2.34.
The median age in the village was 58.8 years. 9.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 1.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 11.2% were from 25 to 44; 43.6% were from 45 to 64; and 34.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 52.6% male and 47.4% female.
2000 census
Largest ancestries (2000) | Percent |
---|---|
German | 28.0% |
English | 15.9% |
Irish | 15.3% |
8.9% | |
6.1% |
As of the
There were 183 households, out of which 15.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.55.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 15.0% under the age of 18, 2.2% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 40.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $35,500, and the median income for a family was $49,375. Males had a median income of $29,643 versus $26,071 for females. The
Education
Kelleys Island School serves the island and is located on Division Street.[50] The village has a public library, a branch of the Sandusky Library system.[51]
See also
- Populated islands of the Great Lakes
Notes
^ a: The actual area of the expanded district is 2,888 acres (1,169 ha),[4] which is mathematically equivalent to the island's area 4.6 square miles.
References
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kelleys Island, Ohio
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b c "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c Munro-Stasiuk, M.J., Fisher, T.G. and Nitzsche, C.R., 2005. The origin of the western Lake Erie grooves, Ohio: implications for reconstructing the subglacial hydrology of the Great Lakes sector of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Quaternary Science Reviews, 24(22), pp.2392-2409.
- ^ a b c Kelleys Island Historical Society page for Inscription Rock Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce page: "[1] Archived August 30, 2023, at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ A Survey of the South Shore of Lake Erie commencing at the Narrows at Fort Erie, and ending at the entrance of Detroit River taken in 1789 by Hy. Ford Naval Offr. Pk. McNiff Asst. Surv. by Order of His Excellency The Rt. Hon'ble. Lord Dorchester Governor
- ^ A short topographical description of His Majesty's province of Upper Canada in North America to which is annexed a provincial gazetteer, by Sir David Wm. Smyth, publ 1799
- ^ a b Touring Ohio page: "Kelleys Island Archived September 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ Fire Lands Pioneer, series; publ.1858 by Firelands Historical Society
- ^ a b Lakewood, Ohio Public Library page: "Local History Files: 7: Biography K-L Archived 2008-08-29 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Lake Erie Islands: Sketches & Stories of the First Century After the Battle of Lake Erie by Michael Gora - pages 108 - 125 Archived August 30, 2023, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ The American Gazetteer, by Jedidiah Morse - 1804
- ^ Archive.org article: "Full text of "Sketches and stories of the Lake Erie islands" ", Internet Archive.
- ^ William Henry Van Benschoten, Concerning the Van Bunschoten Or Van Benschoten Family in America by - page 266 Archived August 30, 2023, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ The Plain Dealer article: "The outlaw of Kelleys Island Archived 2012-02-19 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ THE STEAMER ADVENTURE and the KELLEYS ISLAND, OHIO LIMESTONE INDUSTRY[permanent dead link], Ohio Sea Grant, Ohio States University.
- ^ a b The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center article: "Paper Trail - No. 9 SEPTEMBER 2004 - QUARRYING ON KELLEYS ISLAND Archived 16 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ a b c d Kelleys Island Historical Society article: "Irad Kelley Archived 2008-05-18 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ a b Kelleys Island Historical Society article: "Datus Kelley Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ Ohio: A History page 79 Archived August 30, 2023, at the Wayback Machine at Google Books.
- ^ Port Clinton Herald article: "Sports take spotlight at Kelleys Island homecoming[permanent dead link]."
- ^ "News Briefs: Kelleys Island Homecoming set for weekend". The News-Messenger. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b USGenWeb Archives Special Projects: Kelleys Island cemetery information.
- ^ Kelleys Island Historical Society page for Datus Kelley Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Great Lakes Islands Alliance". Great Lakes Islands Alliance. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "KBJR: Island living poses unique challenges, Great Lakes Islands Initiative sets to create solutions". Northland College. June 26, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b The Plain Dealer article: "Kelleys Island ranked among most ecologically threatened Great Lakes island ecosystems Archived August 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine."
- Toledo Blade article: "Report: Region's islands precious but threatened Archived November 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine."
- ^ a b ConserveOnline page: "Islands of Life: A Biodiversity and Conservation Atlas of the Great Lakes Islands Archived September 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ "Kelleys Island State Park". parks.ohiodnr.gov. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- ^ Kelleys Island Historical Association Home Tour Guidebook
- ^ a b c Neuman Ferry website: "History Archived July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine."
- ^ "Circus is coming again! Kelly Miller Circus to appear on Kelleys Aug. 9 & 10 Archived 2006-11-13 at the Wayback Machine", Kellys Life newsletter
- ^ Cleveland Scene article: "The Mafia Plot To Kill Dennis Kucinich - A Former Cleveland Police Chief Finally Tells The Whole Story Archived 2007-07-08 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ ClevelandMob.com article: "War of Waste Archived February 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ Cleveland Scene article: "Feeding The Machine: A Quick Look At Who Gives To, And Who Benefits From, Bill Mason's Campaign Treasury Archived July 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine".
- Plain Dealer
- ^ a b c Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce page: "Kelleys Island FAQ Archived 2010-07-18 at the Wayback Machine."
- ^ jet-express.com page: "Purple Schedule Archived 2013-01-26 at archive.today."
- ^ jet-express.com page: "About Jet Express Archived 2010-07-30 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ kelleysisland.us page: "Airport Archived May 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ a b c Feldmann, R.M., and Bjerstedt, T.W., 1987. Kelleys Island: Giant glacial grooves and Devonian shelf carbonates. In Biggs, D.L., ed., Centennial Field Guide Volume 3 - North-Central Section of the Geological Society of America. Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colorado, p. 395-398.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ a b "Census profile: Kelleys Island, OH". Census Reporter. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Kelleys Island School". Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
- ^ "About us". Sandusky Library. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.