Lakeside and Marblehead, Ohio

The rain has relented in favor of high temperatures and humidity. We wanted to explore a local town that was a bit different, Lakeside, Ohio. This turns out to be not an incorporated town or village, but rather a closed community that seeks to feed the whole person with its life style. It is modeled after the Chautauqua community in western New York State. It is a bit hard to describe, it is part summer resort, entertainment center, and residential area and claims to strive to fulfill the whole person. You can own a house there, but the land belongs to the community and the association must approve all home sales or leases. It has been operating in this manner since 1872. The residents must pay all local government taxes and assessments along with the assessments of the governing board. They get no support from the government, as it is not an actual town but rather, all private property.

It is a gated community and you may not enter without paying a fee. It has homes, shops, numerous churches, hotels, bed and breakfast places, rental cottages, beaches and various entertainment forums for all to use.
It was interesting to walk around and it appeared very neat and relaxed, however, it seemed a bit out of place with the modern world-and indeed perhaps that is the very idea.

After using up our limited approved time to be inside the community, we headed to Marblehead, Oh to revisit the Marblehead Lighthouse and enjoy the views of the lake and islands. Once operated by the Lighthouse service and then the U S Coast Guard, as an important lighthouse and rescue station, it is now a state park. It has been carefully cared for and a pleasure to visit. It has some significance for me, in that, one of my former shipmates was living in the lighthouse keeper’s home, while serving as the Officer in Charge of the Marblehead Search and rescue Station.

Tomorrow we are underway again for a short trip to Bascom, Ohio for a Winnebago owners get together. We can only hope that the weather will get a little better. In any case, I am sure it will be a good time.