I Bought An Abandoned Lighthouse For $71K & Spent $300K Making It A Home | Unlocked 

She pays the federal government for lease on the land, yet the government still uses the property as an active weather station and navigation aid? They should be paying her for maintaining and preserving the historic (and vital) infrastructure! Someone make it make sense!

WOW! The local community where this lighthouse is located owes Sheila a huge, "Thank you!" for spending her money, labor, and time to restore and maintain this lighthouse so it can serve as a functioning, well-maintained navigation aid, a place to visit, and a treasured addition to the landscape...

I looked into purchasing this lighthouse when that federal program first started, but they would only sell it to historical societies. I'm happy this woman got it and she has done an amazing job renovating it.

I was at Fairport Harbor Coast Guard Station 1970-1974. We serviced this Lighthouse many times during that period. I made a few trips up that great old spiral stairs to the main light in those days. Great to see someone taking interest in this restoration. Maybe I will make a trip back and visit sometime soon.

Shouldn’t they be paying her as a lighthouse operator? Or not charging her for her efforts?

This woman has got to be the bravest and most capable woman I've ever heard of. I wouldn't have what it took for her to get everything done to make this lighthouse livable. Money, "know-how" , strength and guts ! She's a very strong woman and I envy her ! Especially at her age !

I haven't been by this light house over fifty years. As a kid we'd climb the rocks to get all the way out to the pier to fish with my dad and grandpa. Dad went into the marine business and we boated around many years. However I thought Sheila was crazy to buy, but she has done a beautiful job on it. Thank you Sheila.

Bless her and her compassion for the property. I doubt rather she would ever get the investment back but she does deserve a medal for being the 'keeper'.

She's the real deal. Now the Master of a Ohio Light House.

That’s serious ambition and patience right there! Well done!

It's interesting that the lighthouse was "abandoned" so long ago but there is still a working beacon maintained by the Coast Guard! Surprising that the Govt. just didn't properly shutter the building and its windows to prevent deterioration and vandalization. Thanks to Sheila for her restoration!!!

Good for you Sheila, I was a forestry lookout in New Zealand for 5 years, loved the lifestyle, the peace, the flora and fauna, life alone can be busier than people imagine but I loved it.

I'm betting her "winter" home is quite special too!!!!

God Bless you for your love for this lighthouse.

I've walked the break wall so many times since I was younger. I couldn't believe someone had bought it. Unfortunately I missed the tour when I visited last but look forward to seeing it next time I pass through Fairport.

I’m happy she’s happy 💯❤️

She seems to have a lot of personality. She seems very confident in herself.

She’s living my dream. Kudos to you Sheila.

Coolest video seen in a while. Dedication off the charts. And best view. No neighbors.

This woman is awesome!!

I'm so proud of you not letting anything stand in the way of your dreams 🙂

She did an awesome job and that cast iron staircase! Wow.

A million-dollar view. Glad you had the financial means to renovate this beautiful property.

I grew up in Mentor-on-the-Lake not far from Fairport and I remember seeing the lighthouse. It was wonderful seeing it again and how much love this lady put into it. I last saw it 52 years ago......my, but the memories it brought back.

Love the stairs and the exposed brick. What a cool house

What a fantastic renovation!

She's really very lucky! I've always wanted to live in a lighthouse. I find them fascinating for some reason, and I really think they would be a lot of fun!!!

I love your vision and how you saved this historic building. You've done a wonderful job making this your home. Much admiration and respect to you.🤩

Wonderful interview / tour - inspiring woman. Greetings and respect to all from Durango Mexico 🇲🇽

I’d get a golf cart for that half-mile trek.

Those stairs are totally awesome - Will most likely get difficult to climb later on.

A dedicated project of the heart.

The lighthouse near Cleveland Browns stadium is for sale. I mention it to my coworkers that you will know when I win the lottery, because my first purchase will be that lighthouse. The second will be a boat because that's the only way to get to it! Ever since seeing Pete's Dragon, I've wanted to live in a lighthouse. And when I talk about all of this, everyone mentions your home. So glad to see this video. It is truly wonderful. I need to drive by soon.

She did a good job restoring the light house I live about 10 miles from the light house. I’m glade someone is using it.

Wow...its a wonderful thing to save a lighthouse and a piece of history AND then live in it!! Thank you for sharing ❤❤🙏✌️

What a nice lady ! ❤

Amazing story-even more amazing woman! What a work of service.

You are living my dream Sheila . Great job 👏 love it

We had a live aboard boat moored at a marina. The round trip from the parking lot to the boat and back was a quarter mile. It is fine during nice weather but horrible in any sort of cold windy rainy snowy weather

Awesome! I have an Army buddy that he and his wife live in an old pump house in Gulf Shores Alabama, they bought it 25 years ago when the city closed it down and built it into a rental house and then when their youngest child graduated high school 2 years they decided to sell their huge house and move into the pump house.

What a really cool investment! This would make a FABULOUS option for an AirBnb, and yes, it makes a really cool summer home.

I got an Erie feeling right away.

Its just beautiful. She thought of everything including compost toilets generator solar panels rain water storage. The light is bright...the whole lighthouse is so comforting

She's very determined. To be walking half mile to bring groceries and other items to the house. 300k renovation wowsers!

This lady is a force! Love her and her lighthouse!

She has a great attitude about everything. Probably the best match for it. Not at all cozy and too hollow for me, but to each his own.

Absolutely amazing! The renovation managed to preserve and enhance the character of this unique place. As opposed to outright gutting, modernizing, and destroying it.

Sheila, you are an amazing woman. The lighthouse looks very beautiful since you did the restoration. I live in California and I have never been to Ohio but other places on the East Coast. Keep yourself safe, enjoy your new summer home, and enjoy your life. Thanks for putting this on You Tube for many people to enjoy. God Bless You.

I admire what she's done. It's a home, after all. Wonderful features.

This could be my dream Airbnb!

What a labor of love! Such a unique summer home.

Ya gotta bow down to her for seeing the project through. What an amazing home. Wonder how wild it would be to spend a winter there.....just gorgeous.

From the other side of the world 🙃, well done to Sheila and her family and friends who have renovated the lighthouse. Personally I've always loved the thought of living in a lighthouse, but alas its probably not to be. I'm glad to see ones like this have been given new life 🙂

What an incredible spirit this lady is.

omg this is my never-come-true dream. A great work and a beautiful journey she had. So jealous and happy for her.

Very cool to see what she did eith the lighthouse! While not an undertaking I would want. Its nice to see ppl following their passion and in the process restoring/perserving a historical building.

Absolutely beautiful, what a commitment! You have done an extraordinary job, what a great love. Thank you for preserving this gem. 🤗♥️

That tower at the edge of the jetty beyond the lighthouse is where we used to dive off into Lake Erie back in the late '70's -early 80's

I would live and take care of it, but I think I'd have to think of a way to the Lighthouse from the parking lot. Maybe a heavy duty electric bike.

This was one of my favorite spots to swim and fish off the breakwall. Super cool home . Always wanted to see what the inside looked like. Thanks for posting

She's very creative, the lighthouse turned out to make a beautiful home. I Love her creativity, she's an inspiration! I'm very surprised to see that she only pays $26.00 per month for insurance, especially with it surrounded by water. It's a shame that the average home now costs about five times what she paid, minus the renovations.

I remember when the government was selling the lighthouses. I didn’t have the money at the time, but it was tempting.

That's so cool! It's great to see a local place show up on RU-vid like this (we're neighbors)! Thanks for sharing!

Really Amazing home. I bet Amazon can deliver to her front door 😊

What a fantastic renovation. I admire what she's done!

WORTH EVERY NICKEL... WORTH EVERY STEP...

Love it, staying there for a vacation would be a dream!!!😎🥰😁

Thanks to to this woman this building has been preserved. It seems the multiple layers of public servants were not motivated to protect public property.

Wow, loved this. Thank you Sheila and thanks CNBC!

I was just thinking that looks like the lighthouse I've taken pictures of and that I've been seeing all my life growing up. It is THE lighthouse!

I love Lucy! Ive had two golden retrievers in my life, and i am of the opinion they are the world's best companion dogs. I miss them both so much.

Awsome lighthouse!🤙

Outstanding refurbish of a light house!

As someone who lives in Boston surrounded by vintage former cold water flats built to house the waves of immigrants, I was enthralled by all the natural light available. I went to college at Marietta, nothing like your "neighborhood." Shiela, you are a model of perseverance and imagination. Might you write a book about your adventure? Not that I underestimate any of the HARD work you did. Hope you get many years enjoyment from your home. Good that the Coast Guard maintains the light. Do they bring some supplies for you? Maybe if you had coffee and cake waiting?

I can only imagine living in a Gorgeous lighthouse. Takes my breath away just thinking about it.

Great job! Thank you for preserving the lighthouse.

Another great video and story, really love watching them. Thankyou. ❤

I am from Ohio but live in Georgia have to say you are living my dream living in a light house! Have to say I do miss home when I retire like to come back.

She is a hardy soul. And for that God bless her. Lovely renovation too.

I envy you fornhaving a lighthouse...cool property, it must be so peaceful there...

My goodness you’ve done an exceptionally great job. I wish I had the know how to do something like this. This is truly a beautiful lighthouse

Wow! One of the best videos I've seen on RU-vid in a long time. You are such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing!!!!

You are truly one of a kind dear Sheila.

She could harness solar energy and wind turbine energy though for electricity.

Literally being watching GSA auctions looking for the perfect lighthouse I hope this video doesnt drive prices up

How wonderful! What an interesting lady.

Oh how cool! I live right nearby and see the lighthouse sometimes from the beach park! 🥰 so that’s who the owner is and how it looks! Super neat

I love this.

Why not add a solar array and battery system instead of gas generator. Way easier and nothing to block the sun near by.

It was worth it!😊 Thankyou for maintaining a little bit of history 😊❤

I am 100% in favor of restoring any historic building. The place looks great but it's cured me of the romantic notion of wanting to live in a lighthouse. I have to hand it to this woman, she's got moxy.

Living in an abandoned lighthouse has always been low key a dream

She’s very creative and a visionary. She sees it as it can be, not what it is.

Good job on collecting rain water and sunshine!

Respect!

I love this lighthouse project, and that it’s still a working part of the Army Corps of Engineers and US Coast Guard. Maybe there’s room for a little garden somewhere to grow lettuces and tomatoes, herbs, even if hydroponic and indoors. I hope she has many happy years there.

Amazing accomplishment! Love how you restored it, so homey and efficient. Kudos and enjoy!

The Airbnb potential of this place is insane

lighthouses are a big responsibilty, but beautiful and magical too.

I love this kind of thing, when someone brings something back to life, original, actual restoration instead of changing everything to modern etc. You've done a beautiful job here and congratulations! Question for you though.... You said you have to carry everything 1/2 mile from parking lot to the light house. I don't understand why you wouldn't just drive a 4x4/offroad type of vehicle. I'm sure you'd be able to park something like a (Suzuki/Kawasaki/who ever makes the...) Mule there while you would do shopping and fill it up with the goodies and have it at the light house to go back and forth. Now, I'm not a lazy man though not exactly in my earlier years of active abilities like I was not so long ago, in my mind. However, I am a man with common sense and having a UTV doing the hard work for you just seams like it would make that, so called common sense instead of dealing with the damage it would do to someone at the age you and I are today! lol Sand and that type of UTV don't argue with each other what so ever. You'd not get it stuck. It would have plenty of space for what you described and a reliable source of that type of short transportation Just a thought I thought I'd share......