Picture owning your very own lighthouse, a majestic beacon overlooking a vast bay, embodying both hope and history.
Sheila Consaul, a 65-year-old aficionado of historic preservation, turned this dream into reality.
For a sum of $71,000, Sheila purchased a derelict lighthouse in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, and embarked on a journey that would see her invest over $300,000 in transforming it into her dream vacation home.
Living in a lighthouse is far from ordinary; solitude greets you at every turn.
Forget about a driveway leading to the front door; instead, you park half a mile away and transport everything you need by hand, from groceries to generator fuel. Yet, the experience, once embraced, is unparalleled.
Sheila’s journey began from her passion for historic preservation and a desire for a unique summer retreat.
Upon discovering that the government was auctioning off lighthouses, she saw an opportunity to merge her interests.
Though the lighthouse she acquired was in a sorry state, with cracked windows and peeling plaster, Sheila remained undeterred.
With the aid of a home equity loan, she embarked on a challenging yet fulfilling renovation project.
Renovating the lighthouse presented numerous challenges; every construction material had to be hoisted by crane and transported by boat due to its remote location.
Furthermore, being entirely off the grid posed additional hurdles; rebuilding the electrical system and relying on a gasoline-powered generator were just a few of Sheila’s tasks.
Despite these obstacles, the transformation is remarkable.
Today, the lighthouse boasts a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and modern appliances.
The plumbing and electrical systems have been overhauled, while the once-broken windows now showcase stunning stained glass.
However, preserving its historical essence was equally paramount.
Original features like dark brown floorboards and cast-iron stairs remain intact, alongside innovations such as a rainwater collection system.
Since 2012, Sheila has welcomed guests to the lighthouse, hosting annual open houses and sharing this community treasure with others.
Maintained by the Coast Guard and still serving as a navigational aid, the lighthouse stands as a testament to community and heritage.
Would Sheila embark on this journey again? Perhaps not, but the rewards have been immeasurable.
While she currently has no plans to rent out her unique summer home, she remains open to the possibility.
For now, she revels in the fruits of her labor and the extraordinary experience of lighthouse living.
Sheila Consaul’s story exemplifies what happens when perseverance and passion converge.
She didn’t just acquire a property; she rescued a historical gem, ensuring it endures for generations to come.
Take a virtual tour of the lighthouse in the accompanying video below!
Feel free to share this remarkable tale with your loved ones.
In 1965, a powerful warning was broadcast to the world; 54 years later, it has unfortunately become a reality.
Paul Harvey, the iconic news commentator and radio pioneer, captivated millions of Americans with his unique delivery style, reaching over 24 million listeners at his peak. His words always carried weight, but no one could have predicted just how prophetic one of his speeches would become.
Today, when I reread his famous broadcast from 1965, I was struck by how eerily relevant it is to our present times.
The speech, titled “If I Were the Devil,” was first aired on April 3, 1965. In it, Harvey imagines what he would do if he were the Devil, detailing a cunning strategy to lead society astray. Sadly, many of the warnings he issued back then reflect the very struggles we face today.
EVERYONE should listen to this. Paul Harvey was alarmingly accurate 54 years ago.
In his fictional narrative, Harvey, as the Devil, outlines how he would whisper lies to people, corrupt young minds, and undermine moral foundations. He speaks of a world where values are flipped upside down, where faith is diminished, and materialism reigns. He envisions a society where chaos spreads through drugs, media, and weakening family bonds.
Listening to it again, it’s hard not to feel a chill as you realize how much of what he predicted has come to pass.
I grew up hearing Paul Harvey on the radio with my mom in the 1970s, and now, more than ever, his words seem to ring true. Everything he warned of 54 years ago seems to be happening now
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