Imagine owning a lighthouse—a tall sentinel standing guard over the vast expanse of water, a sign of history and hope. Sheila Consaul, a 65-year-old historic preservation enthusiast, didn’t just envision it—she made it a reality. Sheila bought an abandoned lighthouse in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, for $71,000. Since then, she’s invested over $300,000 to transform it into her dream summer home. Living in a lighthouse is anything but ordinary. The first thing you notice is the isolation. There’s no driveway to the main entrance. Instead, you park a half-mile away and carry all supplies—food, water, even gasoline for the generator—by hand. But once there, the experience is unique. Sheila’s journey began with a desire for a cooler summer retreat and a love of historic preservation. When she heard the government was auctioning off lighthouses, she saw an opportunity to combine the two.
The lighthouse was in a state of disrepair when she bought it – broken windows, crumbling plaster and in desperate need of renovation. But Sheila was undeterred. She took out a home equity loan and embarked on a renovation journey that would be both challenging and rewarding. The renovation process was anything but easy. The lighthouse’s remote location meant that all building materials had to be transported by boat and lifted by crane. The challenges didn’t stop there; the lighthouse was completely off the grid. Sheila had to rewire the entire electrical system and rely on a gasoline-powered generator for power, with gasoline being another item on her long list of supplies.
Despite the obstacles, the transformation is astonishing. The lighthouse now has a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and modern appliances. The electrical and plumbing systems have been completely overhauled, and the windows – once broken and unusable – are now fully functional and even feature beautiful stained glass windows. Yet it’s not just about the physical changes – it’s about preserving the history. Would Sheila do it again? Probably not. The journey was fulfilling but also exhausting.
She is happy with her unique summer home and has no plans to rent it out, although she doesn’t rule out the possibility in the future. For now, she is enjoying the fruits of her labor and the unique experience of living in the lighthouse. Sheila’s story shows what can be accomplished when passion meets perseverance. She didn’t just buy a property. She bought a piece of history and has lovingly restored it for future generations. Check out the full tour of the lighthouse in the video below! Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
