The Ghost Of The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Is Arguably The Cutest Ghost Story Anywhere Near Cleveland
By Nikki Rhoades|Published January 16, 2020
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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.
Any animal lover and tell you that the connection we share with our pets is one that transcends words. Our love for them is deep and their loyalty to us is unwavering. Sometimes, even death won’t do us part. Don’t believe us? There is a lighthouse with a ghost cat near Cleveland that can make a believer out of you. The love one kitty-cat shared with his human in Fairport Harbor has kept him pitter-pattering through the structure a century after his death.
The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse was constructed in 1871.
Marine artifacts blend perfectly with the charm in this historic structure. The museum opened in 1945 and dazzles each and every visitor who stops by. Click here to plan your trip in the warmer months or to schedule a special tour.
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Some visitors, however, get to experience history in a way they weren't quite expecting.
Back when the lighthouse first started operations, Captain Joseph Babcock was the Head Keeper. He and his wife and children resided on the second floor of what is now the museum. Babcock's wife, Mary, became bedridden at one point. Her husband got her cats as company. Sentinel, a gray cat found in the basement of the lighthouse, was said to be her favorite.
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Perhaps Mary Babcock was dying of heartbreak, as her son had passed away in 1889. Whatever the reason, she stayed in bed most days with Sentinel at her side.
The kitty became her constant companion. Sentinel was a familiar sight in the brand new lighthouse, but he would soon become a part of its lore. You see, when Mary finally passed away, her kitty disappeared.
Following her death, Babcock continued his duties around the lighthouse. He still had a daughter and a son to take care of. They must have adored the opportunity to grow up in such a unique structure. Could they have wondered about Sentinel's whereabouts?
And yet, as time passed, people continued to report catching glimpses of Sentinel.
Gray cats are common, right? It could have just been a stray. If Sentinel was born in the area, the strays seen for years could have even been his kin. But just as you are thinking right now, those that spotted the cat insisted that it must have been the ghost of Sentinel.
This may sound like nothing more than local lore. However, unlike most campfire stories, this one is true.
In 2001, the museum in the process of upgrading its facility. Trustees decided to install air conditioning, a feat that required a worker to access cramped, tight spaces. While in the crawl space in the basement, he solved a century-old mystery. The mummified remains of Sentinel were discovered, still recognizable as a beloved gray cat.
Some say ghosts are attracted to water, so perhaps his love for his human and a connection to Lake Erie kept the phantom feline around long after his story should have concluded.
Today, this unusual ghost is something of a celebrity. He's been featured on a number of television specials and his story has persisted despite the passing of time.
Sentinel’s story started and ended in the lighthouse basement, it seems. Nonetheless, his spirit has chosen to hang around. Have you ever had any ghostly encounters? Tell us about them in the comments!
Want to dive deeper into the world of local lore and hauntings? Check out the site of the Ashtabula railroad disaster.
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