Following the lines of a familiar Bible verse, beating swords into ploughshares, the original Vermilion Lighthouse tower utilized the cast iron from Civil War era Fort Sumter cannons. A pacifists dream, the 1877 light became a replacement for an old wooden structure that was quickly giving way to the elements. The lighthouse received its name from the nearby river and the Ohio city Vermilion. The solid structure, complete with a red beacon, stood guard on Lake Erie and the river entrance.
   As a youngster, Ted Wakefield was first to notice the demise of the cast iron light tower as it tilted on its pierhead. As a grownup, Ted followed his passions and went on to initiate construction of the Inland Seas Maritime Museum (now closed and slated to be demolished). He also rallied the townspeople for a replica Vermilion Lighthouse, being a big part of his favorite childhood memories. By 1991, Ted saw his dreams turning into reality. The light was dedicated in June 1992. Complete with its red glass cylinder, the lighthouse was once again added to the U.S. Coast Guard's list of active navigation aids. Not long after the new light's dedication, Ted discovered that his long lost light, thought to have ended in a scrap heap, had been renovated and put back into service on Lake Ontario at the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway.
   Even though the museum has closed and moved to Toledo, the lighthouse remains in place and received a replica 5th order Fresnel lens. Thanks to the Lighthouse Preservation Committee this restoration effort, a re-lighting ceremony was held on September 15, 2016.

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