Whether you’re a long-time resident or you’re just passing through, everyone will agree that there’s a lot to love about Catawba Island, Ohio.
Catawba Island is a peninsula in Lake Erie that is home to many of the characteristics of Ottawa County that make our region special: natural areas and parks, dining, wineries, and craft brewing, museums, boat access, and so much more.
Take a look at Catawba Island’s rich history and present-day offerings as one of Ottawa County’s staples for fun and sun.
Attractions
One of Catawba Island’s main attractions is its famous views of Lake Erie. From the Catawba Cliffs you can spot Perry’s Monument at Put-in-Bay, and Kelley’s Island not far away. Catawba Island is home to beautiful beaches and boat launch access at Catawba Island State Park, a 10-acre park on the west side of the island that offers boating, fishing, picnicking, and lake access. Another local attraction is Schwan Orchards, a family-owned and operated peach orchard that celebrates the history of one of the greatest peach growing regions in the country. Schwan’s is always open for visitors to explore, and is known for their produce stand and home-made muffins.
Restaurants & Breweries
Catawba Island is home to a celebrated selection of restaurants, wineries, and breweries that locals and tourists return to year after year. When it comes to breweries, Twin Oast Brewing is a local favorite. As a family-owned brewery and restaurant, they have a beautiful property where children can play, while adults relax on the patio, enjoy a craft beer, and listen to live music by local musicians. Twin Oast also features a delicious menu of quality, fresh, and local favorites that will fit any appetite.
Other local restaurants and breweries include Catawba Island Brewing, Orchard Bar & Table, Gideon Owen Wine Co. (Previously Mon Ami), and the Catawba Inn Pub.
Schools System
For families and students residing in the Catawba Island area, the school system provides a quality education, supportive community, and enriching extracurricular activities to give students a memorable learning experience. Students in Catawba Island attend Port Clinton High School, located in Port Clinton, OH. The school district also boasts close-knit primary, intermediary, and middle schools. The goal of Port Clinton’s school district is to “inspire excellence in character and performance in every student by providing a safe, supportive, and challenging environment, using community resources, and empowering students to positively impact society.” For students looking to get involved in extracurricular activities, the high school provides a variety of men’s and women’s sports, and clubs.
Employment Opportunities
Catawba Island’s location on Lake Erie makes it an opportune spot for employment opportunities. For those looking for part-time or seasonal employment, there are positions open every summer with Miller Ferries, a historical and locally-owned and operated ferry that operates daily trips to the Lake Erie Islands. Other popular employers include the Catawba Island Club, a beautiful private club offering golf, tennis, swimming and lake access, boat docking, fine dining, and private events that is always looking for dedicated and talented team members.
Learn more about employment opportunities in Catawba Island by visiting Ohio Means Jobs Ottawa County.
Arts & Culture
Catawba Island is also home to the Catawba Island Historical Society, a group whose goal is to “educate and inspire present and future generations by collecting, preserving, and displaying artifacts of the area’s early American Indians and those who followed as contributors to Catawba Island’s rich history and development.” The society also runs the Catawba Island Historical Society Museum at Union Chapel, located only a few blocks from the Miller Ferry boat terminal. This renovated chapel now serves as a museum for local artifacts and education programming.
For more information about Catawba Island and to research attractions, restaurants, and activities, click here.
About Ottawa County It’s All Here
The Business Advisory Counsel of Ottawa County, Ohio is excited to continue our Ottawa County It’s All Here campaign. This campaign focuses on showcasing everything that our region has to offer, with the goal of promoting employment, local businesses, and economic development. The Villages of Ottawa County Campaign is part of this initiative to highlight the places that make our community special. You can learn more by visiting our about page.