Catawba Island Historical Society

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Catawba Island Historical Society We're open for visitors:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 10am to 4pm
Every second and fourth Saturday of the month 10am to 4pm

To preserve, protect, promote and provide access to the artifacts, relics, documents and information related to the rich history of Catawba Island, Ohio. *Please note our SATURDAY HOURS are the 2nd and 4th Saturday each month

Catawba Waterfowling History 🦆With duck season opening tomorrow, October 17th, we are throwing it back to the 1940s when...
10/16/2026

Catawba Waterfowling History 🦆
With duck season opening tomorrow, October 17th, we are throwing it back to the 1940s when Catawba Island was a major migration highway for waterfowl!

Long before modern motorized outboards dominated the marshes, local hunters relied on quiet determination and traditional wooden push-poles to glide stealthily through the dense wetland vegetation. Pictured here is a group of hunters proudly posing after a successful day out in the Catawba marshes. Photo donated by Don and JoAnn Rhodes..

What a great crowd last night at the Township Hall!Over 70 people joined us for our Fall Speaker event featuring Preside...
10/15/2026

What a great crowd last night at the Township Hall!

Over 70 people joined us for our Fall Speaker event featuring President George Washington (portrayed by Dale Fellows). We love bringing history to life, and we are so grateful for such an amazing community turnout!

Thank you to everyone who attended! See you at the next event! 📜✨

A heartfelt thank-you to John Gibson for his service to the CIHS Board! As one of our founding members, John has been pi...
10/15/2026

A heartfelt thank-you to John Gibson for his service to the CIHS Board! As one of our founding members, John has been pivotal to our mission from the very beginning.

We loved celebrating John and his wife, Mary Jane, at a thank-you luncheon at The Orchard. Thank you, John, for your years of dedication! 🎉👏

🥗 Celebrating a Wonderful Season at 1812!Our volunteers and docents are the heartbeat of the Museum at Union Chapel. To ...
10/08/2026

🥗 Celebrating a Wonderful Season at 1812!

Our volunteers and docents are the heartbeat of the Museum at Union Chapel. To celebrate a fantastic 2026 season, we recently gathered for our end-of-the-year Docent Lunch at 1812!

We are endlessly grateful to our dedicated volunteers and members—your passion and hard work are what make the CIHS mission possible every single day.

❤️ Thank you for an unforgettable season!

Meet George Washington! 🇺🇸✨Have you ever wanted to chat with our nation’s very first president? Now is your chance!Join ...
10/03/2026

Meet George Washington! 🇺🇸✨
Have you ever wanted to chat with our nation’s very first president? Now is your chance!

Join the Catawba Island Historical Society for a special Fall speaker event on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00 PM at the Catawba Island Township Community Hall (3307 NW Catawba Rd, Port Clinton).

George Washington himself will be in attendance for a meet-and-greet and a fascinating presentation sharing his incredible story. Whether you’re a lifelong history buff or just looking for a fun evening out, this is an event you won't want to miss! 📜🏛️

📍 Where: Catawba Island Township Community Hall (3307 NW Catawba Rd, Port Clinton, OH)
🗓️ When: Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free and open to the public! (Feel free to share and bring a friend!)

Meet Dale Fellows as George Washington! A passionate history enthusiast. Dale has brought the father of our country to life with "We Made History" in NE Ohio since 2013.

Built in 1945, the South Shore was an iconic workhorse for the Miller Boat Line, transporting passengers, cars, and frei...
09/25/2026

Built in 1945, the South Shore was an iconic workhorse for the Miller Boat Line, transporting passengers, cars, and freight between Catawba Island, Put-in-Bay, and Middle Bass Island. Her mid-century runs were the heartbeat of summer island life, carrying crowds back and forth until the autumn cool signaled the seasonal wind-down.

⏰ Last Call! This Saturday, September 26, is your very last chance to explore the CIHS Museum at Union Chapel before we ...
09/24/2026

⏰ Last Call! This Saturday, September 26, is your very last chance to explore the CIHS Museum at Union Chapel before we close our doors for the 2026 season. Whether it’s your first visit this year or your tenth, come step back in time with us one last time this weekend! 🏛️✨
📍 Open this Saturday: 10am – 4pm
As we wrap up, we want to send a big THANK YOU to all of our incredible members, donors, volunteers, guests, and wonderful docents who made this season so unforgettable. We appreciate every single one of you! ❤️

📸 Flashback Friday: Old Orchard Beach Pool & Dance Hall (1924)Step back to the roaring twenties at Old Orchard Beach! Op...
09/18/2026

📸 Flashback Friday: Old Orchard Beach Pool & Dance Hall (1924)

Step back to the roaring twenties at Old Orchard Beach! Opened in 1924, this beloved hot spot was the ultimate place for summer dancing and lively dance contests. The pool was legendary for its unique overhead swing basket, which carried swimmers across the water before letting them drop in with a splash! 🏊‍♂️✨

The park was owned by LuLu Barclay—granddaughter of the famous local winemaker Gideon Owen. Local lore even credits LuLu with introducing the very first hot dog to the area! 🌭

⭐ Fun Fact: In 1925, silent film star Juanita Hansen—known as the "Blond Queen of the Screen"—appeared in person at Old Orchard Beach, making her the very first movie star to ever visit Port Clinton! 🎬🌟

Address

5258 E Porter Street
Port Clinton, OH
43452

Telephone

(419) 967-5363

Website

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