This Fascinating Cleveland Coast Guard Station Had Been Abandoned And Reclaimed By Nature For Decades
By Nikki Rhoades|Published March 08, 2023
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Cleveland has undergone a transformation in recent years, and even the most iconic landmarks have been impacted. In fact, forgotten, abandoned places reclaimed by nature have, in recent history, been taken back by man once again. The old Joseph and Feiss factory has since been reimagined as a school, and the old Sidaway bridge has been preserved as a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, we’re going to take a look into the history of one additional spot that Mother Nature became the only resident of… until Clevelanders stepped in to renovate. You guessed it: we’re taking a virtual visit to the Historic Cleveland Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island! To understand its story, we’ll have to wade back into a history forgotten by many. Let’s dive in!
From 1876 to 1976, the United States Coast Guard was stationed on Whiskey Island.
When they first became active on the southern shore of Lake Erie, the Coast Guard was known as the U.S. Life-Saving Service. And they certainly did save lives! These local heroes aided those in need, whether it was from shipwreck, flooding, or storm. They also transported food to areas in need and corrected navigation hazards. While doing all this, they operated in a series of smaller wooden structures on Whiskey Island... but a more permanent base of operations was finally unveiled in 1940.
When the Streamline Moderne structure was erected, it was completed at a cost of $350,000.
Adjusted for inflation, that would be equivalent to circa $7.3 million today. Of course, this investment was put to good use... the 60-foot observation tower, garages, and other spaces served their purpose. But it was also a work of art, and its shape was reminiscent of a boat. What a fine nod to the careers of its occupants!
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Of course, nothing gold can stay. The Coast Guard eventually relocated its base of operations to the East 9th Street pier.
For a handful of years, the Cleveland Division of Water operated laboratories here in the Coast Guard's absence. Then, in 1984, the building was put up for auction. It remained largely abandoned throughout the coming decades.
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For a brief period of time, the structure at the end of Whiskey Island's 1,000-foot pier was a nightclub. But then it fell victim to vandalism.
Back in the 1990s, a few partiers had the pleasure of seeing the interior of this mysterious structure. But that era was gone in a blink, and nature took over. Plants tore through the concrete, and the winds and waters of Lake Erie picked at the decaying structure.
By the 2000s, the building looked... well... it wasn't quite so pretty for a little while.
Curious trespassers often broke into the building, scattering its storied halls with beer cans and cigarette butts. Vandalism and graffiti changed the face of the structure. Clevelanders watched as it decayed, whispering that it would cost too much to restore and was too far gone to ever be beautiful again.
This milestone in its history preserved a future for the building. The big event happened in 2013, and it designated the local landmark as a cultural icon worth preserving.
In 2016, the Cleveland Metroparks stepped in to start renovating the building.
Despite the wear and tear, the historic structure had good bones. Debris was cleared out, unstable walls were removed, and the entire structure was cleaned.
Fortunately, renovations took the Historic Cleveland Coast Guard Station from this...
Structural improvements, landscaping, and even docking ports have been improved or added to breathe new life into the structure. The $1 million renovation was officially unveiled in 2018, and it looks lovelier each year. Clevelanders love visiting it during the annual Burning River Fest and during curated events hosted by the Metroparks.
The improvements have turned the old abandoned station into a gem on Lake Erie's shore.
Now beautiful, this structure is a source of pride for Clevelanders once again... Just like when it was first unveiled.
Want to take a peek at the renovation process? Check out this video from WKYC Channel 3:
Nowadays, the Coast Guard Station enjoys new life. Want to visit it in person?! Keep an eye out for on-site upcoming events from the Cleveland Metroparks.
The Historic Cleveland Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island looks a bit different nowadays, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! Now, this gorgeous structure is a sparkling pearl on Lake Erie’s shore, and it has a bright future ahead of it.
Believe it or not, this structure is one of just two Streamline Moderne buildings in Cleveland. The other is a historic Greyhound bus station, which you’ll find right in town on Chester Avenue.
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