Johnson’s Island is located by Marblehead and can be accessed by a private bridge that takes curious travelers onto the island. Johnson’s Island has a unique history in that it was the location of a Confederate Officer Prison.
Its historical significance brings genealogists, Civil War historians, and military enthusiasts to the island. The island was once a bit more open to the public, but over the past 20 years, there has been an influx of wealthy property owners to move onto the island.
The island provides quick access to Lake Erie, privacy, unbelievable views, and an excellent summer getaway.
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Johnson’s Island Security
When I first came back to the area in 2005, I took a drive through Marblehead.
During the drive, I was blown away by the real estate improvements to the area over the last 10 years, and then I passed this Ohio Historical Society sign, and it caught my interest.
It was a sign talking about Johnson’s Island Confederate Prison. I saw the bridge and drove down the lane. There is a small toll required to access the island, so I payed it, the gate went up, and I was on my way to the island.
Immediately, I came across the Confederate Cemetery with a large Confederate monument standing as a memorial to the fallen soldiers.
The graveyard was well-kept, and the headstones were easy to read, but I didn’t see the actual prison, so I continued to drive.
Boy, was I surprised about what I saw next? Houses…huge houses…I guess they would be mansions lined the coast of Johnson's Island.
I had no idea they were even there, and I guess they wanted to keep it that way because I was quickly tailed by security.
I continued to drive around the island (I guess my 1997 Chevy Cavalier didn’t fit in), being followed until I reached the Confederate Cemetery again.
Tourism
There really is not that much to see at Johnson’s Island outside of the Confederate Cemetery. The rich folks keep the place locked down pretty well, and the official museum for the island is located at the Veterans Home in Sandusky.
Still, it is a nice place to visit and pay your respects. If you are a family genealogist and have an ancestor buried there, then you will not have a problem seeing their headstone.
However, there are no places to eat or sleep on the island, so your trip should only take 30 minutes to an hour, and then you can head back to Marblehead or Port Clinton, Ohio.