Ballast Island (Lake Erie)

[citation needed] George William Gardner purchased Ballast Island from Lemuel Brown in 1874 according to Ottawa County records.

After completing his purchase of Ballast, George W. Gardner sold to his friends, including Henry Corning, Will Claflin and Civil War General James Barnett, undivided interests with the right to build a cottage.

A large hotel and dining hall were constructed high on the cliffs of the north side of the island.

During the 1890-early 1900 time span the southeast corner of Ballast facing Buckeye Point on South Bass was adorned by a boat house.

Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, James Garfield and Grover Cleveland all have visited Ballast.