Cleveland Lighthouse or Mouse Island?
Which would you choose — Cleveland Lighthouse or Mouse Island? Both are surrounded by water, but these ultra-exclusive properties each offer their own challenges and opportunities.
Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse
lighthousefriends.com | Cleveland
Location: Downtown Cleveland, roughly 3,500 feet from shore at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.
Cost: Free to qualifying nonprofits; otherwise heads to public auction — again.
The Backstory: Active since 1911. A 2023 public auction bid of $425,000 fell through when the buyers failed to close.
What Your're Getting: About 1,800 square feet of multi-level, circular living space, including a kitchen and sleeping quarters.
The Catch: Accessible only by boat. Completely lacks modern heating, plumbing and electricity.
Possible Uses: A museum or community center of some sort if acquired by a nonprofit. If sold through an open auction, a summer retreat, boutique rental or personal office.
Status: The General Services Administration is reviewing applications from six nonprofits to determine if a qualified steward can be found. If none are approved, a public auction will be held.
Mouse Island
howardhanna.com | Port Clinton, Ohio
Location: About 1,000 feet off the northern tip of Catawba Point in Ottawa County, Ohio.
The Cost: Just reduced to $3.8 million from $5 million.
The Backstory: Acquired by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1874 as a summer retreat. Sold in 1966 to a Rocky River, Ohio, woman for $16,500.
What You're Getting: Seven acres of raw land. (The cabins, boathouse, icehouse, dock and tennis court were lost long ago to vandals, neglect and the elements.)
The Catch: Zero utility access. Absolutely no existing electricity, sewer or water infrastructure.
Possible Uses: A hyper-private family compound or a small residential development subject to local zoning.
Status: Listing agent Kyle Recker says that, while interest has been high, the right buyer has not come along yet.
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