Main Street Vermilion is honored to be a part of the America 250-Ohio Program - Trails & Tales - Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail.

About America 250-Ohio:
In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.

Find more stops and events in the Shores & Islands Region for America 250-Ohio here.

Historic Preservation

The Vermilion Lighthouse

Newly designated as a stop on the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail to celebrate America 250, the Vermilion Lighthouse stands as both a navigational landmark and a symbol of our city’s connection to Lake Erie. It represents Vermilion’s maritime heritage and offers visitors a chance to experience a piece of history while enjoying one of the most picturesque views on the shoreline. Stopping by the lighthouse isn’t just about seeing a structure, it’s about connecting with the story of the lake and the community that has grown alongside it.

Main Street Vermilion's historic preservation efforts included aiding the Lighthouse Preservation Committee with the conservation and upkeep of this important landmark. Nothing is more iconic to the local landscape than the Vermilion Lighthouse, which looks out over Lake Erie at the foot of Main Street. There's a rich, deep history to this marvelous structure and a dedicated, ongoing effort to preserve it for generations to come.

Formed in 2014, the Lighthouse Preservation committee, later joining Main Street Vermilion under the Historic Preservation committee served as guardians of the lighthouse for six years to educate the public about the historical significance of lighthouses. Within two years, the committee raised funds to have a 5th order Barbier and Fenestre Fresnel lens fabricated. Installed in September 2016, the structure now stands as an active navigational aid. A lighthouse keeper was appointed the same year to carry on the tradition of keeping the structure in good order and the light shining.

Visitors are welcome at the lighthouse any time of day. Nearby is a favorite photo spot for locals and tourists. The familiar 5-ton propeller from the Tug Pennsylvania and the popular anchor salvaged from a Great Lakes cargo vessel.

Today, the lighthouse, propellor and anchor are all under the care of the City of Vermilion.

Guided Presentations

For groups of 10 or more, Main Street Vermilion can arrange guided presentations of the structure that includes the history, restoration and a closer look at our most popular landmark. Contact Main Street Vermilion at mainstreetvermilion@gmail.com. [Visitors cannot access the interior of the Main Street Vermilion lighthouse.]

Lighthouse Passports & Souvenirs

Main Street Vermilion is one of 450 locations across the country where you can buy passports and get it stamped with the Vermilion Lighthouse insignia. Other Vermilion Lighthouse souvenirs include stickers, magnets, key chains, post cards, tote bags and more! Stop in the Main Street Building , 685 Main Street to add to your collection. 

Vermilion’s first settlers came from New England in 1809, carving clearings for their log cabins in the immense forest of the Firelands - a section of Connecticut’s Western Reserve - and leading to a surge of growth at the mouth of the Vermilion River. The name Vermilion is derived from the French word, vermeil, which translates to any red dye. Local Indian tribes used the red clay along the river’s banks to make paint, and 1700s French explorers recorded the river’s name as Vermilion.

With a natural harbor to encourage shipbuilding, exporting, importing, and fishing, the community prospered and was incorporated as the Village of Vermilion in 1837. For the next century, Vermilion was a thriving port town with a busy shipbuilding industry producing some of Lake Erie’s finest old sailing vessels and, later, steamboats. Shipping boomed with farmers importing longed-for commodities from the East, and businessmen exporting great loads of quarry stone, black walnut timbers, and various iron products. At the fishing docks, anglers brought in catches of whitefish, sturgeon, muskellunge, and perch. Skilled craftsmen-built shops and homes, and a peaceful small- town atmosphere prevailed. Vermilion became known as the “Village of Lake Captains” thanks to the substantial number of Great Lakes ships’ captains who chose Vermilion as their home port. 

Due to the shallow river and the need for larger steamboats, shipbuilding eventually moved to cities with deeper rivers such as Lorain and Cleveland. Vermilion escaped the industrialization of the riverfront and has remained a charming and quaint town. 

Historic Register Plaque Grant Program

Main Street Vermilion is proud to offer the Historic Register Plaque Grant Program, designed to make it easier for local property owners to celebrate and preserve the historic character of their homes and properties.

Through this program, eligible Vermilion property owners can receive a grant covering 50% of the cost of an official Historic Register plaque. Property owners are responsible for the remaining 50%.

Eligibility

• Open exclusively to Vermilion property owners in the Historic District.

• The property must be listed on the Vermilion Historic Register.

• Applications are reviewed and approved by the Historic Register Committee.

How It Works

1. Submit an application (see link below).

2. Once approved, Main Street Vermilion will order the plaque on your behalf.

3. The property owner will provide a check for their half of the cost.

4. Main Street Vermilion will cover the other half through the grant.

About the Vermilion Historic Register

The Vermilion Historic Register has been a committee of Main Street Vermilion since 2010. Its mission is to research and record historic structures that are 50 years or older, located in Vermilion, and to encourage their preservation for future generations through education and recognition.

Why It Matters

Historic homes are part of what makes Vermilion unique. Displaying a plaque not only honors the history of your property but also strengthens community pride and preserves the beauty of our neighborhoods for generations to come.

For questions or more information, please contact:
Main Street Vermilion
mainstreetvermilion@gmail.com
440-963-0772

Vermilion History Museum Floating Exhibit

Main Street Vermilion is proud to host a floating exhibit featuring items from the Vermilion History Museum at the Main Street Vermilion building, 685 Main Street. “At its core, Main Street Vermilion is a historic preservation organization,” says Carolyn Hill Chair of the Historic Preservation Committee. “Our mission includes celebrating the rich history of Vermilion.”

The display will be changed seasonally to reflect what might have been happening during that season in Vermilion.

The inaugural display includes: Photographs of Vermilion River, historic Main Street Beach, and Kishman Fish Company. A Baker Compass Co. marine compass is also included in the collection to represent the nautical history in Vermilion. Other items include a South Shore Spanish Olives Bottle and a Mauer-Wikel Inc. Bottle which are products specific to Vermilion and pamphlets for the Vermilion Garden Club, The Vermilion Tailorettes 4-H Club, and the Business and Profession Women of Vermilion Club which were all organizations for women to be involved in the Vermilion Community.

This project is a collaboration between Main Street Vermilion and the Vermilion History Museum. To view the complete collection of memorabilia, visit the museum at 727 Grand Street. Call 440.967.4555 for hours or visit www.vermilionhistory.org/museum.

Preservation Guides

Whether you’re a home or a business in Vermilion’s Historic District, we encourage you to be mindful of historic and preservation efforts when upgrading or restoring your home or building. All façade improvements including painting, and repair, the addition of signage or changes to your storefront must be brought before Vermilion’s Historic Design and Review Commission, which meets the first Wednesday of every month. Before you begin your project, you may find it helpful to review these short, project specific guides that address why preservation is important and how to approach signage, painting, and storefront remodeling in the historic district. If you have additional questions or need guidance, please call Main Street Vermilion at 440.963.0772. Click on your specific area of interest to view or download.

Historic Preservation: Includes the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation

Storefront Design: Architectural appropriateness

Painting: Choosing the right color

Signage: Creating good signage