Rattlesnake Island (Lake Erie)

Put-in-Bay was a strategic location during the War of 1812, when Oliver Hazard Perry - Commodore of the United States fleet on Lake Erie - rendezvoused with General William Henry Harrison at Sandusky Bay, and following discussions concerning the upcoming campaign the commanders selected Put-in-Bay harbor for the American naval base.

From this strategic location Perry was able to observe British fleet movements, and eventually engaged and defeated them.

Perry's victory gave the Americans control of Lake Erie and a relative calm prevailed amongst the islands.

In 1854, Abigail Dunning of Hartford, Connecticut, sold Rattlesnake Island to Horace Kelley of Cleveland, Ohio.

The summer staff, mostly from Eastern Europe, numbers around 25 and there are separate dorms for the employees working there.

Any non-members will immediately be turned away by armed security guards in one of the island's two boats before the intruders even have time to dock.

[5] For many years, service was provided by way of a Ford Tri-motor which shuttled mail between the island and the mainland.

The RILP lay dormant until life long Port Clinton resident, Dave Gill relaunched the local post with the first new issue on 11-10-2022 of Commercial Vessels servicing the Lake Erie Islands.