HEADLANDS BEACH STATE PARK
The trademark of Headlands Beach State Park is its mile-long
natural sand beach, the largest in the state. In addition to its
popularity during the summer season with picnickers and
swimmers, the area is home to many plant species typically
found only along the Atlantic Coast.
Headlands Beach Park Map (pdf)The northern shoreline of Ohio displays the dynamic effects
Lake Erie has on our changing landscape. The lake has been
a dominant force, shaping Ohio's natural and cultural
development for thousands of years. Erie, meaning wildcat ("it
is long-tailed") is derived from the tribal name of the Indian
culture who inhabited this area until 1655.
Lake Erie was originally much larger than it is today. As an eastern outlet opened via the Niagara River, the lake
drained down to its present size. Sand beaches from the former lake are still found along the northern shore. The
swamp lands adjacent to the beaches were once part of the lake itself.
Plants more common to the Atlantic coastal plain region can be found growing in the surrounding sand dunes. Sea
rocket, beach pea, seaside spurge, beach grass and purple sand grass persist on the dunes.
Lake Erie was a principal avenue of transportation for Indians and frontiersmen alike. The Lake Trail, a heavily used
Indian path, ran along the south shore of the lake. Originally, the trail was used by the Iroquois. Later other Indians
and settlers found it provided access to the Ohio country.
Northeastern Ohio was given to Connecticut in an agreement by which that state gave up claim to all other land
running west to the Pacific Ocean. Connecticut named the 3.8 million acres the "Western Reserve." Proceeds from
the sale of this land were to benefit Connecticut schools. The Connecticut Land Company purchased the land for
roughly 35 cents an acre and began selling tracts of land. Easterners moved west, and by 1800 the population of the
Reserve was approximately 1,300.
Nearby Fairport attracted Finns and Hungarians, later Slovenians and Slovaks, who came to fish and unload coal
and ore from boats onto railroad cars by hand. The lake influenced development, and the harbor was a gateway for
settlers and trade. Fairport Harbor is one of the best located on the lake with access possible when other harbors are
closed.
Lake County, Ohio's smallest county, covers 231 square miles. With the lake's effect on the weather, the county
developed a substantial nursery and fruit growing industry utilizing the prolonged growing season. The county claims
one of the highest points in the Western Reserve. Known as Little Mountain, it is located about seven miles south of
Painesville and offers excellent views of the surrounding area and Lake Erie.
In 1951-52, the state of Ohio began acquiring land west of Fairport to create a state park. Originally opened in 1953
as Painesville Beach State Park, the name was changed to Headlands Beach two years later. Its large beach has
attracted huge crowds consistently since the opening. In 1957, the beach was closed when Lake Erie's waves and the
undertow created safety problems. For a while, the public enjoyed swimming in the creek until the area was filled in.
Capital improvement projects started in 1967 created numerous parking lots, concession buildings, restrooms,
change booths and a treatment plant. Headlands Beach State Park remains very popular with swimmers and
sunbathers.
- T Walker
Ohio does not have an annual pass and does not charge entrance fees to state parks.
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