"The Walleye Capital of the World"

The "Whistling Bridge", a bascule type drawbridge located on the Portage River in Port Clinton

After Commodore Perry succeeded in capturing the British fleet on Lake Erie in 1813, a small village began to form and in 1828 was named Port Clinton in honor of Dewitt Clinton.  The river that flowed through the village was named the Portage River in honor of the DeLery Portage.  The town began to grow.  There was shipbuilding and commercial fishing.  In 1904 the US government purchased land just west of Port Clinotn because it was ideally suited as a firing range.  It is known as Camp Perry and became the site of the National Rifle Matches in 1909.  The competition is still held here every summer and is also used for National Guard training.    From 1906 to 1974 Port Clinton received world-wide fame as the home of the Matthews Boat Company which produced thousands of custom made wooden motor yachts in the 38'-60' range.  They were of such high quality that they were in great demand and some are still in use today.

During prohibition, Port Clinton became known for a boat of another kind.  Long, narrow and fast, they operated only at night.  Garwood and Dart speedboats capable of traveling at 60mph sped between Canada and the US with their illegal cargos of whiskey.

Sport fishing has increased over the years and Port Clinton is now known as the "Walleye Capital of the World", but , smallmouth bass and white bass also are plentiful in this part of Lake Erie. Western Lake Erie serves up more than 8 million pounds of fish annually, attracting professional and amateur fisherman from around the world who compete for more than $75,000 in prize money each spring.

Port Clinton is located on Lake Erie, 65 miles west of Cleveland and 35 miles east of Toledo, and lies within a 500 mile radius of America's major markets.  Population is approximately 7,106 (1990 Census)

Magruder Hospital serves over 21,800 outpatient visits, 11,700 emergency room visits and 1850 inpatient admitted yearly. It is a community leader in health and wellness programs, prevention and screening programs.

Real Estate taxes are assessed at 35% of Market Value.  Income Tax is 1.5% in the  City of Port Clinton (net profits and wages)

African Safari Wildlife Park