Story Ideas

Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island) and Middle Bass Island, Ohio

• The Lake Erie Islands are centered along a major American bird migratory path, making for excellent birding. Over 492 bird species have been identified on South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay). A pair of bald eagles have an established nest on Middle Bass Island. For additional information contact Lake Erie Islands Black Swamp Conservancy 419-285-5811.
• Franz Theodore Stone Lab, Gibraltar Island, is the nation's oldest freshwater biological field station and is the Island campus for Ohio State University. Tours to Gibraltar Island are conducted weekly throughout the summer. 419-285-2341.
• At the turn of the century one of the nation's largest resort hotels, the Hotel Victory, boasted over 600 rooms plus the country's first "co-ed" swimming pool. Destroyed by fire in 1919, remains of the hotel stand in the woods of the South Bass Island State Park.
• "We Have Met the Enemy and They are Ours..." In September, 1813 (War of 1812) the harbor of Put-in-Bay sheltered the American fleet. During the Battle of Lake Erie, Oliver H. Perry helped secure the Great Lakes region by defeating the British. For more information contact Perry's Memorial 419-285-2184.
• The name "Put-in-Bay" is probably derived from a Captain's knowledge that he could "put (his vessel)  into the bay"  for refuge from most high winds. Also, a British map created in the 1700's of Lake Erie's Western  basin and islands show the harbor of Put-in-Bay labeled as "Pudding Bay" perhaps because the the harbor is shaped like a pudding bag, which was commonly used in the ship's galley. 
• Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial stands 352 feet high, the fourth tallest national monument in the country. (St.Louis Arch, Washington Monument and San Jacinto Monument are taller.) Perry's Monument is also the most massive Doric column on earth....The Memorial will celebrate it's 100th Anniversary in 2013. In 2009 the memorial will undergo massive repairs and maintenance in preparation for the Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial in 2013 and the century mark of the opening of the memorial.
• Centered in the heart of "Lake Erie's Grape Belt", Heineman's Winery celebrates its 121st year on Put-in-Bay and endures as Ohio's oldest family owned winery. Call 419-285-2811.
• Put-in-Bay Events 

Miller Boat Line and Islands - Quick Facts

• Of Ohio's 262 miles of Lake Erie Shoreline, 43.2 miles are island shoreline. (Source; "Resources of the Lake Eire island Region. Cooper / Herdendorf). 
• Miller Boat Line is the only scheduled means of transporting freight, cars and commercial vehicles to the islands of Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass. It is the only scheduled service to Middle Bass Island.
• Since its beginning, Miller Boat Line has been family owned. Started in 1905 as a fishing charter, water taxi and ice harvesting business, the company has grown to become the largest ferry service on Lake Erie.
• William (Bill) and MaryAnn Market bought the boat line from Mary Miller in 1978. As a tribute to the founders and the company's long standing reputation in the ferry service, the name "Miller" remains today.
• Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island, Ohio are located halfway between Cleveland and Toledo in the western basin of Lake Erie.
• Miller Boat Line employs 75 people during peak season. Several employees have been working for the company for more than twenty years. 
• Put-in-Bay is three and a half miles long, about a mile and a half wide.
• Year round Put-in-Bay population is about 450 and Middle Bass is 45.
• Approximately 750,000 people visit the islands of Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island, Ohio each year. 
• Put-in-Bay School on Catawba Avenue, is home to 86 students (2007-2008) with fourteen full time and two part time teachers. Four students from Middle Bass Island and two students from North Bass Island commute via motorboat or plane daily to Put-in-Bay for classes. Six students graduated from PIB School on June 6, 2008.

   

  For all press inquiries, please contact
  Julene Market
  Miller Boat Line
  PO Box 239
  Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
  email: lakeeffects@aol.com
  Telephone: 419-285-2421 ext.23
  Fax: 419-285-2032
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