This beautiful bridge was completed in 1925, a single-leaf bascule bridge that carries Ohio route…read more531 over the Ashtabula River in Ashtabula. It is a Strauss bascule bridge that is one of two remaining drawbridges in service in the state. (The other is the Charles Berry Bridge in Lorain, between Cleveland and Sandusky.) The bridge consists of a lot of steel and rivets that join together quite a number of pieces, all balanced by a massive concrete counterweight that uses electric motors to raise and lower. I hung around for a while but no boats came along to cause the bridge to lift. Bummer! [Review 1373 of 2024 - 291 in Ohio - 22396 overall]

First time saw a lifted bridge, as the bridge is so low, seems even a normal family touring boat…read morecan't pass the bridge without lifting the bridge. It's interesting, and seems the bridge has a schedule to lift.

Located near the Ashtabula Lift Bridge, this marker tells the story of the area. They have also…read moreinstalled a number of caption signs that detail the history of the river and its recovery from pollution. The front of the marker reads, "When the Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Ashtabula Railroad was finished in 1873, Ashtabula's harbor became a direct route to ship iron ore to the booming steel mills of Youngstown and Pittsburgh. On the west side of the Ashtabula River, a brush-filled gulley became Bridge Street. New buildings and bridges attest to the harbor's importance as a commercial and shipping hub from the late 19th through mid 20th centuries. Fires destroyed wood-frame buildings on the block closest to the river. A fire in 1886 nearly cleared the north side of Bridge Street. Another fire swept over the south side in 1900. Fire resistant brick buildings replaced frame structures and over the course of rebuilding, the level of the street rose approximately eight feet. In 1889, a swing-span bridge replaced the original pontoon bridge over the river. A bascule lift (draw) bridge replaced the swing bridge in 1925. And on the reverse, "Demand for labor in Ashtabula brought Swedish, Finnish, Irish, Italian and other immigrants to the city. Bridge Street served these and other residents, and the marine and railroad trade. Businesses on Bridge Street included department stores, barbers, grocers, attorneys, undertakers, and restaurants, as well as pool halls, saloons, and brothels. Ashtabula's harbor was one of the busiest ports on the Great Lakes, even surpassing Cleveland as an ore receiving port. It was also reputed to be one of the toughest ports in the world, sharing that distinction with Shanghai and Calcutta. Machines gradually replaced stevedores and this process was accelerated with the installation of Hulett ore unloaders on the docks in 1910. By the late 20th century, mechanization progressed to the point that, under a crew's guidance, ships unloaded themselves. The City of Ashtabula placed the harbor commercial district on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975." This is marker number 12-4 and it was erected in 2010 by the Ashtabula City Port Authority and The Ohio Historical Society. There is parking nearby in the marina. [Review 1372 of 2024 - 290 in Ohio - 22395 overall]

That's a hard no. The Ashtabula Lighthouse stands at the end of a rough breakwater that is, I…read morebelieve, about a mile long. Not paved, it's loose rip rap and it might be nice to walk all the way out there, but you still need to walk all the way back. First lit in 1905, the 40 foot tall rectangular house has a red cylindrical tower at the top. If you do make the walk successfully and return, let me know. I have no problem making a regular walk for a view but this? I'm too clumsy. There is a parking area nearby and a small rocky beach. This is my 5th lighthouse on Lake Erie and the 100th lighthouse in my collection, https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g [Review 1370 of 2024 - 289 in Ohio - 22393 overall]

Because I love covered bridges so much, Chris planned a day-long driving tour of Ashtabula county's…read more16 covered bridges. Creek Road covered bridge is a smaller one, but still worth the visit. It spans Conneaut Creek in Conneaut, Ashtabula Cty. It is drivable, and walkable. It's a single span Town truss design. The bridge's WGCB number is 35-04-12,[2] and it is located approximately 3.4 mi (5.5 km) southwest of Conneaut.

We are not from the area and we visited Squires Castle on a busy weekend. The place was packed!…read moreEven though there's what seems like ample parking, it was so full when we arrived that it was a little tough to find a spot. Before we came, we read that the castle is a stone ruin from the late 1800s and thought it would be interesting to explore but there was so much going on while we were there, that proved quite difficult to do. There were multiple people and families doing photo shoots in and around the castle... Like professional photo shoots. They had cameramen and lighting. There were lots of children running around and playing and people picnicking on the green space in front. There were just lots of people everywhere. We even saw a bunch of young people doing a full-on LARPing session and sword fighting just adjacent to the castle near the trees. It was really cute. Although we were just there for a short visit on our way, we did see lots of signs for trails and people walking and even though I didn't want to fight the crowds of people, my husband did go up and go inside one of the rooms in the castle and peek out the window at me. There were also benches and tables, but almost all of them were occupied. Like I said, there was a ton of people the day that we decided to stop but that didn't stop us from having a nice time. I'm glad we had a chance to stop here, but I definitely wish it had been quieter and we had had at least a moment to ourselves. I can see from other people's photos that this can be achieved by visiting at the right time, so if you can, I totally suggest stopping and enjoying this cool relic!

'm so glad I decided to visit Squires Castle--it was absolutely breathtaking, especially in the…read morefall! The vibrant autumn leaves created a stunning backdrop that made the entire experience feel magical. The castle itself is a captivating sight, but it's surrounded by scenic paved walking paths, vast open spaces perfect for picnicking, sports, and simply soaking in nature. It's clearly a popular spot for photography, as I saw multiple sessions taking place while I was there. The ample parking made the visit even more convenient. The castle's exterior is impressive, and the inside has a rustic, hollow charm that adds to its character. Whether you're looking to relax, explore, or capture the perfect photo, Squires Castle is an absolute gem during the fall season.

I don't know why people complain about this place. I don't mind going here there's usually no wait…read more All the people are friendly and helpful. I can't say enough about geauga county employees. They all do a good job! And I believe they all like their job! Keep up the good work!!

No wait, clean facility and incredibly professional employees! What more does a 70-year old woman…read moreneed or want?