The Village of Kelleys Island is located in the western basin of Lake Erie, north of the Marblehead Peninsula and Sandusky. Roughly equidistant between Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio, it is accessible by Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line from Marblehead, and private boats and planes. The island is also served by Griffing Flying Service (located off-island). The Village owns and maintains a municipal airport on Monaghan Road. (Private plane pilots should see link for applicable landing and overnight parking fees)
The quiet, friendly community offers glacial grooves, walking trails, beach and boating facilities, and a strong Audubon society. Information about restaurants, gift shops, hotel and bed & breakfast accommodations is available from Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce.
The State of Ohio operates a State Park on Kelleys Island; for information call 419-746-2546. There are two churches on Kelleys Island: Zion United Methodist Church at 103 Chapel Street (419-746-2514) and St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church at 219 Chapel Street (419-746-2481).
Glacial Grooves and Inscription Rock reveal ancient geography and civilizations. Historic industries include limestone quarrying, commercial fishing, dairy farming and planting, and cultivating vineyards. The island attracted immigrants from Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, and other Eastern European countries to these industries, creating a year-round community with a secondary seasonal residential population.
The island gets its name from the Kelley brothers who purchased acreage around 1833. It had been previously known as Cunningham's Island. Originally a township, on July 27, 1887, the island was incorporated by the State of Ohio as the Village of Kelleys Island in Erie County. A 100-year-old school continues to serve students K-12, and Erie County Library maintains a branch housed at the school. EMS, police, and volunteer fire department serve island safety needs.
Kelleys Island is roughly 2.5 by 4 miles, and approximately 18 miles in circumference. Walking trails skirt old quarry sites. Its beach has been featured as one of the best on Lake Erie, where boats anchor on summer days and ice shanties appear when winter ice thickens.
Kelleys Island Glacial Grooves
