Kelleys Island (Erie County, OH), the largest American island in Lake Erie, lies some four miles off the coast of the mainland at Marblehead.  First settled by the Erie Indians nearly a millennium ago, its first Anglo-American settlers arrived during the first decade of the 19th Century.  However, the “Historic” era did not begin until the 1830s when the entire island was purchased by Datus and Irad Kelley (two brothers from the Cleveland area).

Under the guidance and leadership of the Kelleys throughout the 19th and well into the 20th Century, a diversified, productive, and profitable economy was built.  General farming, viniculture and wine-making, quarrying, and commercial fishing drew settlers from both the United States and abroad.  By the 1880s, a number of summer hotels and boarding-houses dotted the south shoreline, servicing the needs of vacationers from the United States, Canada and Europe.  Preserved guest registers attest to both the famous and infamous visitors to the island.

By 1900 the permanent island inhabitants exceeded 2,000, most of whom were employed in the quarrying and vineyards, and wine-making operations dotted throughout the island.  Foundations of houses and remnants of once well-traveled roadways lie silent among the second and third growth timber of these areas (southeast and south, a west of Division, and on the northwest portion of the island). 

Well into the 1920’s, the island could boast of a thriving, and pretty much self-sufficient economy.  For years timbers cut from island forests fueled the steamboats of the Great Lakes.  Over 23 wineries, varying in size from family-run enterprises, to large operations, sent their wares throughout the world.  Limestone, quarried in the west, north, and east quarries, was shipped out to build the break walls of major Lake Erie ports and roads on the mainland.  For many years, pelts of mink, fox, squirrel, and raccoon found lucrative markets.  Commercial fishermen raised their nets to full catches two or three times a week in the waters around the island, supplying fresh fish to much of Ohio and neighboring states.

By the same token, the island people, from diverse cultures and backgrounds, engaged in an active social, cultural and religious life.  The Kelley family’s building of the large stone Town Hall in 1860 provided a space for theatrical and other public events, the records of which are found in the island’s archives.  By the end of the 19th Century, the Himmelein family of theatrical impresarios had established summer homes on the island and counted among their regular guests some of the greatest artists of drama and music, many of whom demonstrated their skills to local audiences.

A network of elementary schools was established in various parts of the island and, by 1901, an imposing school building was erected to take care of all grades of the burgeoning school population.

Various ethnic and nationality groups formed their own religious organizations:  Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox, German Reformed, Presbyterian, Methodist, Evangelical United Brethren.

The “town,” on the central south shore, included grocery stores, a butcher shop, a furniture and hardware store, a shoe shop, a bowling alley, various saloons, and private social clubs.  Local farmers delivered their produce and milk to the islanders’ homes, peach and apple orchards abounded, and a local physician attended to the islanders’ health needs.

By the 1930s, however, the island had gone into a decline.  Prohibition had nearly wiped out the vineyard and wine-making industry.  Quarries, opened on the mainland, competed effectively with the island’s stone and gravel business.  By the late 1940s, the one remaining industry, commercial fishing, fell prey to both changes in the law and lake pollution.  With its economy in a shambles, the island population dropped precipitously.  By the 1950s, the permanent, year ‘round residents, mostly retired persons, numbered less than 100.  Most of the schools closed; all of the remaining students—often no more than a dozen--were gathered under the single roof of the Estes School building.  Churches closed and many of their buildings were either torn down or used for other purposes. 

By 1950, there were only two left—one serving the Roman Catholic population and the other the Protestant congregation.  Attempts to revive the economy failed miserably.

For a short while, a portion of the quarrying operation was attempted, but, badly financed, it went bankrupt.  Even an attempt to establish a mouse-trap factory came to naught. 

While the other islands of Lake Erie, without the same economic background as Kelleys, thrived on the tourist trade, Kelleys languished.  Without a population base to serve the growing tourist industry—or the funds to support this new endeavor—the climb back to prosperity was slow and, at times, precarious. 

During the most recent decades, Kelleys has made major strides at establishing a well-balanced economy, which capitalizes on showcasing its uniqueness, while preserving its beauty, peacefulness, and historic nature.  The development of parks and campgrounds by the State of Ohio, the building of excellent marinas, the opening of fine bed and breakfast hostelries, and the upgrading of old and building of new tourist and village-oriented businesses have been a major part of this renaissance.  The reopening of a well-financed, state-of-the-art quarry operation helps measurably to support the new economy.

Though the year-’round population has grown slowly—now just over 350—seasonal residents expand the numbers to over  3,000 during the spring, summer, and autumn months.  Construction of scores of fine residences throughout the island have noticeably strained public services, but the widened tax base helps to offset the increasing demands upon the village coffers.  Both air and water transportation to and from the island have kept up with the growing population needs.  Even off-season, when the boat can no longer run, both high school students and other residents regularly use the air lines to attend school, go shopping on the mainland, and for total transport of goods to and from the island. 

While there is no island doctor, a full-time paramedic is provided by St. Vincent/St. Mary’s Hospital of Toledo and well-trained island volunteers serve as ‘round the clock EMTs.  Emergency health services, throughout the year, depends mainly on the air connection.  Though hunting and fishing remain the principle pursuits of the tourists, more and more camping, hiking, and just rest and relaxation are activities engaged in by  island visitors.  In 2001 Kelleys was designated as an Important Birding Area.  Because of its location the island is an important stopping point for birds migrating to the south or north in the fall and spring.  Bird watchers of all skill levels are enjoying the island more each year.

The tourist economy has “snowballed” in the past twenty years.  On some summer weekends, it is estimated that more than 8,000 persons come to the island to enjoy what it has to offer.  Excursion boats arrive daily and visitors wend their way along the tree-lined streets and by-ways, stopping at the geologic, archaeological, and historic sites with which the island abounds.

It was in the midst of and because of this rapid growth in tourism that, in 1980, the Kelleys Island Historical Association was organized.  Its major purposes from the beginning have been to preserve the significant relics of the past and to inform both island residents and its visitors of the island’s unique heritage.

The association’s first major project was the total restoration of the German Reformed Church, known locally as the “Old Stone Church.” This facility served as a museum, gift shop, meeting place, and headquarters for the Historical Association until 2006.  It drew visitors and friends, quite literally, from around the world.  In the next few years, the finishing touches will be made to the association’s most proud achievement to date—the all new Historical Museum next to the Old Stone Church.  This new facility will house a growing collection of island artifacts.

Among the Historical Association's other activities are a lecture series, publication of a newsletter and historical items, design and sale of historically inspired mementoes, and a full schedule of fund-raising and social activities. 

Most recently, the Historical Association has restarted an annual tour of island homes and buildings. In the last decade, the association has grown from a mere handful of interested residents and friends to a membership of well over 200, from throughout the United States and Canada.  Governed by an elected Board of Trustees, the association charts the evolution of the island—to preserve and inform.

Kelleys Island began its history uniquely as a refuge for the Erie Indians from their Iroquois adversaries.  Today, it is still a refuge for modern man from the hurly-burly of the outside world.  Few places can claim such an especial and rich heritage!