Catawba Island Historical Society

06/19/2026

📸 : The Rise and Fall of Catawba’s Lime Kiln 🏛️
Catawba Island sits on a goldmine of limestone, making it seemingly perfect for the 19th-century cement boom. The Sandusky Cement Company even built this impressive Lime Kiln from native stone to turn that limestone into quicklime.
The problem? Chemistry wasn't on their side. Standard cement needs calcium carbonate, but Catawba’s rock is calcium magnesium carbonate. The result? A much weaker cement.
While the company closed up shop in 1855, the physical kiln stood tall as a landmark in the Cliffs neighborhood until 2012. Thank you, Bob Kyle for the photo!
What are your memories of seeing the Lime Kiln in the Cliffs? Share them in the comments below! 👇

06/15/2026

Matters Monday! Individual memberships are the backbone of our organization. They provide the consistent, reliable support that allows us to plan for the future while honoring the past. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a seasonal visitor, your membership says that Catawba’s story is worth telling. Learn what others believe about the importance of CIHS membership below.

Join us in making history today:
👉 catawbaislandhistoricalsociety.com

06/12/2026

🌊 Flashback Friday: Every Aquatic Sport on Catawba 🌊
Before the modern jet skis and high-tech gear, the waters of Catawba Island were already the place to be for summer thrills! ☀️
This week, we’re heading back to circa 1951-52. This captures the essence of the "Every Aquatic Sport" era on the island—just a boat, the open water, and some serious skill on the skis. Summer fun was alive and well in our community over 70 years ago.
Some things never change—Catawba is still the gold standard for summer fun! 🚤⚓️

06/09/2026

🦆Everything is just Ducky at the CIHS Museum! 🦆✨
Our duck hunting decoy exhibit just got a major upgrade. Thanks to a donation from Jeff Brown, we have added some very rare, 19th-century wooden decoys of local origin to our display.
🦆These beautiful pieces offer a unique peek into our area’s rich waterfowl and hunting history. Each of these decoys represents generations of local craftsmanship. Come visit us at CIHS Museum at Union Chapel to see the intricate details up close!

06/08/2026

🎣 Hooked on history? Reel in some fun this Wednesday! 🎣
Looking for the perfect mid-week catch? Join us for our After Hours: Gone Fishing event at the Museum! Whether you're a master angler or just looking for a fun night out, we've got something for everyone.
🗓️ THIS Wednesday, June 10 from 4:00 – 7:00pm
Where: CIHS Museum at Union Chapel
An evening of exploration, community, and a little bit of friendly competition.
🐠 What's the Catch?
We’ve hidden cutout fish all around the gallery! Test your tracking skills with our museum-wide Scavenger Hunt. Cast a wide net, explore the exhibits, and see how many you can spot.
🏆 Small prizes will be awarded to our successful fish-finders!
Grab your friends, bring the family, and come join the fun. We can't wait to see you there!
FREE

06/05/2026

📸 Flashback Friday: Class of 1949 📸
It’s time to dust off the archives and take a trip back to the halls of Port Clinton High School! Today, we’re spotlighting a true local legend from the 1949 Revista Yearbook. The Man of the Hour: Don Rhodes

Check out this sharp senior photo of Don! By the time 1949 rolled around, the seniors were ready to make their mark on the world—but not before leaving behind their "Last Will and Testament," a classic PCHS tradition. The Senior Will in the 1949 Revista, the Senior Will reads: "Don Rhodes leaves... and is he glad to get back to 'God's Country'—Catawba."

It seems even back then, Don knew exactly what we all know now: there’s no place quite like Catawba Island. Even in 1949, his heart was firmly planted in the peach orchards and shorelines of the place he called home. Later he was instrumental in establishing the CIHS Museum at Union Chapel.

06/02/2026

05/29/2026

🍎 Flashback Friday: Take a trip down memory lane to the Catawba Island School hallways! Today’s flashback features the 5th-grade class of 1960-1961. It was a year of growing up on the Island, likely filled with recess by Lake Erie and lessons in the classic classrooms we remember so fondly. Leading the way that year were two legendary educators Principal Hilda Nelson and Teacher Margaret Heidorf.
👀Take a close look at those faces! Whether you were in this class or recognize a sibling, neighbor, or friend, we’d love to hear from you.
A huge thank you to Nancy Mackey for donating this wonderful piece of our Island's history to the archives!

05/28/2026

🔔 The Bell Has Rung: We are officially OPEN! 🔔
Summer is finally here, and the Catawba Island Historical Society Museum at Union Chapel is back for our 9th season! Our President, David Wonnell, kicked things off yesterday by ringing the Union Chapel bell to signal the start of another great year of history and heritage.

📸 Opening Day Highlights:
The Big Ring: David Wonnell officially opened the doors!

A Grand Prize: Our Trustees and Curator were on hand to greet everyone and draw the winner of our Private Tour Raffle. One lucky member just won an exclusive tour for themselves and 6 guests!

First Guests: A huge shoutout to the Reith family from Marysville, Ohio, our very first visitors of the season! While visiting family nearby, their daughters took on our museum scavenger hunt—it was a hit!

🏛️ Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re a local history buff or just visiting for the weekend, there is something for everyone at the museum. From the scavenger hunt for the kids to our deep-dive exhibits on island life, it’s the perfect way to spend a beautiful day.

Location: Union Chapel, 5258 East Porter Street, Catawba Island

Admission: Free (Donations & Memberships always appreciated!)

Come out and see us— history is waiting!
Mon-Wed-Thu; 2nd & 4th Sat; 10am - 4pm; Evening Hours: 2nd Wed of the month 4-7pm