The lighthouse, located at the southern terminus of Langram Road at the southernmost tip of South Bass Island in Put-in-Bay Township, is a Queen Anne-style brick home with two-and-a-half stories of living space, a full basement, and an attached 60-foot light tower. In 1967, The Ohio State University assumed care of the home and grounds while the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light. In 1990, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The 3-acre site is open for foot traffic and features a butterfly garden and historic marker. A fence lines the steep bluff, prohibiting access to the water.

The 1,588-acre South Bass Island is only eclipsed by Kelleys Island in size among the Ohio Lake Erie islands. It receives the heaviest visitation of any island in the lake, Ohio, or otherwise, thanks to the popular Put-in-Bay community. The year-round residents only number about 130, but their ranks are swollen by thousands of visitors from April through October.

As with the nearby islands, birding can be fabulous on South Bass Island, especially during migration when the trees can be full of songbirds. Tourist traffic is also lighter in early to mid-May and September when migrant numbers and diversity peak. The island is too large to readily cover by foot, but golf carts can be rented, or autos can be brought over via ferry.

Restrooms at South Bass Island State Park and Perry’s Memorial.