The docks and Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad yard were completed in 1882. Soon coal, lumber and other bulk goods began arriving by boat and train. Initially the primary cargo was coal, but by 1884 the first shipment of iron ore arrived in Huron. Over the next 100 years the docks underwent many improvements.
The Eastern States Farmers Exchange was completed in 1952. After changing hands several times, the grain elevator was last operated by ConAgra Foods. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources bought the site in 2006 and then sold it to the city. It was demolished in 2012. (Video: Legacy of the Huron Docks, 2011)
The Eastern Hero was one of many vessels that loaded grain and beans at the Pillsbury Grain Elevator. Pillsbury owned the elevator by 1972 and used it as a Great Lakes and international grain shipping terminal. The first ocean vessel that sailed to Huron was the French ship Penchateau, which docked in Huron on August 28, 1972. After receiving a load of beans from Pillsbury the boat went to Toledo for another load and then continued to Spain.The electric Huletts were installed at the Huron docks in the winter of 1949-50 at a cost of $1,600,000. The Joseph Thompson was a frequent visitor to the docks, coming about 40 times a year.The Huron Lime Plant was erected in 1966-67 after the coal dock closed. The plant converted shiploads of limestone into hydrated lime for steelmaking. The first ship, the Joseph Young, arrived Aug. 23, 1977. It was bought by Carmeuse Lime and Stone in 2018 and closed shortly after.An electric coal dumper was installed on the north side of slip #1 in 1937. It was the most modern coal dumper on the lakes at the time. It ceased operation in 1964.
Back
Play Video
Stop Video
Back to Topic Choices