Today’s column continues the story of the Ashtabula Lighthouse keeper, Captain Orlo Mason, that I began on Aug. 19 before leaving for St. George Island, Florida, and leaving you with two past columns I thought you would find interesting.
In the warm summer month of June in 1893, Captain Orlo Mason, with his wife, Belle, transferred from the Mamajuda Island Lighthouse on the Detroit River in Michigan. They left behind their daughter, Maebelle, who became famous with her rescue as a teenager of a distressed man and his boat. The rescue came while her father was away buying supplies and it was determined she was small enough to fit into the boat that Maybelle would use in the rescue. Maybelle married and had a son whom she named Orlo to honor her father.
It was a grand time to come to Ashtabula Harbor that summer of June, 1893. I imagine the sky was bright blue with cotton-candy clouds and a great view of Lake Erie. It would be three years before the new keeper’s cottage would be built. But the wait would be worth it, as its location at 10 Walnut Street provided spectacular views of the surrounding area sitting high above all the Harbor’s activity. The house is still standing today and is now the home of the Ashtabula Marine and Surface Transportation Museum.
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