West Lake Shore Road

Though there were some who lamented the destruction of the huge old dock structure in the Spring of 1989, it had been a major Island landmark for nearly eighty years. The fact was that this was only one more phase in the evolution of the West Dock.

First constructed about 1842, it had undergone a number of changes prior to the building of the late bin-type (or "pocket") structure in 1910. At that time, it was the most innovative type of dock on the Island. Stone and gravel were hauled by train up an incline from the eastward, then across a steel and wooden trestle to the waiting bins. Here the products of both east and west quarries were stored until boats arrived along either side of the dock to take on their heavy cargoes. Chutes, hand-opened and closed by two men, directed the stone into the waiting boats and barges.

Fifty years later, the West Dock was altered and a belt-line was suspended under the bins to carry the stone directly to the boats. Time and weather ravaged the structure to the point that it became dangerous and unstable. Thus, with new ownership of the West Quarry, the old loading facility was demolished, the dock completely rebuilt, and, today, boasts the latest developments in stone products handling.

From Kelleys Island, A Tour Guide