It’s called Island House Historic Vacation Rentals for a reason.  Located in downtown Port Clinton, Ohio, the cornerstone for the building was originally laid in 1886.  Since then, the Island House property has played host to stars of the silver screen and small screen; the athletically gifted as well as state and national political officials; the famous and some of the most infamous names in American history.
 
Maintaining all of that original charm from the 19th Century, each of the 39 privately owned guest suites features at minimum a 32” TV, FREE WiFi, mini-fridge, coffee maker, iron w/ board, AC/heat & well-appointed private bath thereby keep today’s guests firmly planted in the 21st Century. 
 
Guests will find themselves just a two block walk to the beach, a one block walk to ferry boats serving the Lake Erie Islands and smack dab in the middle of Downtown Port Clinton’s Entertainment District featuring the Stage on Madison Street with over 100 performances by some of the best entertainers passing through these parts.  Not to mention playing host to countless community based activities in, on and around the street during the summer season!
 
Columbus based J-Liu Bar & Restaurant is slated to open in 2025 bringing light, life and libation back to this historic venue.

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Looking to arrive today or tomorrow? 
​Please call our rental office at 419-732-1111 as on-line bookings are blocked for same or next day arrivals.

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Suite 2201 - Humphrey Bogart
Queen Suite
A legend of the silver screen, Humphery Bogart stared in 1940s classics like ‘Casablanca,’ ‘The Maltese Falcon’ and ‘To Have & Have Not.’  Accompanied by his wife and fellow actor Lauren Bacall, this Hollywood power couple often found their way to the Island House.

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Suite 2202 - Lauren Bacall
​Queen Suite
An Academy Award-Nominee, Lauren Bacall stared in such classics as ‘The Big Sleep,’ ‘How to Marry A Millionaire,’ ‘The Fan’ and ‘The Mirror Has Two Faces.’  She and husband Humphrey Bogart often found themselves at the Island House while passing through the area or for a relaxing retreat from the limelight.

Suite 2203 - Sheriff Conrad Gernhard
​Queen Suite
Orphaned at 11, Conrad worked his family farm and became prolific at producing railroad ties from trees he felt on his land.  At 18, he had saved enough money to open a saloon.  Given his age and business savvy, Conrad was propelled into the public eye and eventually, with encouragement from friends, ran for and was elected to Sheriff of Ottawa County.  In the last months of his term in office Conrad began another enterprise when he began to rebuild the Island House after the original building was destroyed by fire.  Conrad’s vision was a luxury accommodation that would draw celebrities and ordinary citizens. 

Suite 2204 - Jason Liu
​King Suite
Asian born, entrepreneur, philanthropist and businessman, Jason Liu is living the American dream.  With multiple businesses in the greater Columbus, Ohio area, Jason is now expanding his empire to include holdings along the southern shore of Lake Erie -specifically his newest venture at the Island House.

Suite 2205 - J Paul Getty
Queen Suite
An American-Born British Industrialist, was once referred to as “The richest man in the history of the world” by Ridley Scott.  J Paul was given a loan from his father and invested in oil wells in 1906 and the company formed from this initial investment – Getty Oil Company - made Getty his fortune.  At his peak, Mr. Getty owned the controlling interest in almost 200 businesses, including drilling rights in Saudi Arabia.  In 1949 his wealth was estimated at $2-4 billion (approximately $26-52 billion today).  J Paul made at least one stop in Port Clinton and found the Island House to his liking.

Suite 2206 - Julie Andrews
Queen Suite
Dame Julie Andrews is a highly accomplished British actress of stage and screen.  Her extraordinary abilities have earned her two Tony nominations for her Broadway role in ‘Camelot’ and ‘My Fair Lady’ and an Oscar statue for her portrayal of the title character in ‘Mary Poppins.’  No one is quite sure why she made her way to Port Clinton.  However, she did spend time at the Island House while in town. 

Suite 2207 - William Randolph Hearst
​King Suite
A businessman, publisher and politician, Hearst was twice elected to the US House of Representatives and at one time operated the nations largest newspaper chain and media company.  He must have loved this area as he often found his way to the Island House.

Suite 2208 - Yogi Berra
Queen Suite
Professional baseball player (catcher), manager and coach.  Berra was an 18-time all star and 10-time World Series Champion as a player.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.  Amidst all of his accomplishments, Yogi found time to visit the Island House in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Suite 2209- Bob Dylan
​King Suite
This region is known for its live entertainment.  Although there is no record of Bob Dylan performing in the area, his name can be found in the hotel registry for the Island House.  Influencing folk and rock and roll music from the 1960s, his writing style earned him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016.

Suite 2210 - George "Babe" Ruth
​King Suite
There aren’t too many professional baseball athletes, or for that matter any professional athletes, from any era that hold the prestige as does “the Sultan of Swat.”  Even some 80+ years after retiring from the game, “The Babe” holds outright, or is at the top of many professional baseball records.  Kids today still pretend to be him in sandlots and parks and rec fields in all parts of the baseball world.  Fans of the Boston Red Sox still lose sleep over the trade that lead to the legend of “the curse of the Bambino.”  One of, if not the best, to ever play the American pastime, George Ruth too found his way to the Port Clinton, Ohio and the rooms at the Island House.

Suite 2211 - Virginia Mayo
Two Queen Suite
Stepping away from Hollywood to the shores of Lake Erie, this talented actress found her way to the Island House.  Appearing in over 40 films during her career, her talent was marked by a stunning charm and sensuality.  Her beauty, grace and sense of humor were trademarked in her roles in ‘White Heat,’ ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ and ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.’  Off screen Virginia was an strong advocate for causes she found true to herself and often worked to support the American Cancer Society.  

Suite 2212- Arthur Godfrey
Queen Suite
A familiar voice on the radio in the 1930s & 40s.  He made the jump to TV in 1949 with the CBS hit show Arthur Godfrey and Friends which systematically secured his place in early TV history through the 1950s.  His travels often brought him to Port Clinton and the comforts of the Island House.

Suite 2213 - Dr. Charles Bainbridge
​King Suite
Port Clinton was plotted in 1828, but did not have its first Mayor until 1870.  Dr. Bainbridge was not only that first Mayor but he was also the first fire chief when he established the Bainbridge Hook & Ladder Company in 1870.  On January 1st of each year, residents and shop keepers in Port Clinton and the surrounding farmland were asked to contribute $2 to the Hook & Ladder Company.  In return they were given a placard to hang above their front door.  If the property caught fire and the placard was displayed the fire was extinguished; if there was no placard displayed (i.e. no donation to the Hook & Ladder Company) the firemen insured the neighbors houses with the placard did not catch fire and let the original structure burn.  An original Bainbridge Placard and other fire related historical items are on display at the PCFD located at 1755 E. State Street.

Suite 2214 - Marilyn Monroe
​King Suite
A pop culture icon and muse for Elton John’s ‘Candel in the Wind,’ Marilyn Monroe was a star on the big screen and pages of magazines.  Her fame exploded with a string of box office successes: ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, ‘How To Marry A Millionaire and ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business.’  Marilyn’s marriage to baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio and suspected flings with others of the era solidified Ms. Monroe’s persona as a sex symbol that lives even to today.  Marilyn and Joe wondered the corridors of the Island House in an attempt to escape the ever present cameras of the big cities.​

Suite 2215 - Joe DiMaggio
​King Suite
Arguably one of the all-time best professional baseball players of his generation - if not any generation!  “Joltin’ Joe” still hold the record for consecutive games with a hit (61).  While off the field Joe hit a home run when he married Marilyn Monroe.  The couple visited Port Clinton frequently and called the Island House home when they did.  No wonder, Joe grew up in an Italian family who earned a living fishing off the east coast.  Guess he liked the perch and walleye in Lake Erie too. 

Suite 2216 - General Ammon B. Critchfield
​Two Queen Suite
One of the youngest Adjutant General in the history of the State of Ohio, General Critchfield is known as the Father of Camp Perry.  Through the General’s efforts, the Ohio Legislature appropriated $25,000 to acquire land along the shore of Lake Erie just west of Port Clinton to develop a National Guard rifle range.  Since 1907, Camp Perry has not only sharpened the skills of millions of marksmen in the U.S. Armed Forces, but it has also played host to the National Rifle and Pistol Matches.  Known as “the Olympics of shooting sports,” this month long event draws sharpshooters and hobbyist from around the world to compete at distances up to 1000 yards.

Suite 2217 - General John Pershing
​Queen Suite
An 1886 graduate of West Point, John “Black Jack” Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during WWI.  The General’s connection to Camp Perry is evident; and while visiting the base, General Pershing would call the Island House home.  Over his illustrious military career, General Pershing conducted operations against Geronimo and the Chirichua Apache in the southwest, oversaw operations in the Dakota Territory, was an Instructor of Military Science at the University of Nebraska, an Instructor of Tactics at West Point, lead expeditions in Mexico searching for Pancho Villa, served in Cuba during the Spanish American War, organized the Bureau of Insular Affairs in the Department of War, spent time in the Philippines, served as military attache to the US embassy in Japan, spent time in Manchuria during the Russo-Japanese War and served as Governor of Moro Province in the Philippines.  

Suite 2218 - General Douglas MacArthur
King Suite
A 5-Star U.S. Army General best known for his role in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, General MacArthur was literally born into military life on an military post in Little Rock, AR.  Graduating at the top of his class at West Point, he served in WWI, WWII and Korea.  During WWII MacArthur fled the Philippines just before the Japanese overran his HQ leading to the infamous Bataan Death March.  Perhaps it was this area’s connection to Bataan or the strong connection Camp Perry holds with the military that lead General MacArthur to the Island House on several occasions. 

Suite 2219 - Nicolai Nissen
Two Queen Suite
An immigrant from Denmark, Nicolai was a local businessman and farmer in the mid to late 1800s.  Some of his efforts still stand strong in the community today.  A cobbler by trade, he constructed the buildings at 115 Madison (currently Moonwycks) and later 115 Madison (now Mary’s Blossom Shoppe) for his shoe business.  After his death in 1901, his son and later grandson continued the cobbler trade until the mid-1950s.  The Nissen family name can still be found in the Port Clinton area.

Suite 2220 - DeWitt Clinton
​King Suite
Port Clinton was originally plotted in 1828 and named for then New York Governor DeWitt Clinton.  Governor Clinton was instrumental in promoting and building the Erie Canal which connected the Great Lakes to the US East Coast.  Although no official record exists, it is presumed that his death, just days before the official plot of the new town was recorded, that pushed the decision makers of the time towards the name Port Clinton.

Suite 2221- George True 
Two Queen Suite
George A. True was born in Port Clinton in 1865 to O.J. and Eunice True. He was the Principal of Port Clinton Schools and attended the University of Michigan Law School where he graduated in 1893.  He was a practicing attorney, President of the School Board, Ottawa County Prosecutor and founding member of the Port Clinton Yacht Club.  His parents owned a farm which stretched from Fulton Street to Maple Street and from the lake to the railroad.  George A. built his family home at the corner of Fulton Street and Perry Streets beginning in 1900.  Construction was completed in 1903 and the house stands there today.  His family was instrumental in building the Port Clinton Water Works, the True Flour Mill and the Port Clinton Lumber Company.  He and his wife, Agnes, donated Lakeview Park, located on Perry Street, between Ash Street and Cedar Street, to the city of Port Clinton.

Suite 2222- Ringling Brothers 
Two Queen Suite
During the late 19th and early 20th Century the Ringling Brothers transformed their small touring company of performers into one of the largest circuses in the USA.  As a traveling circus travels, the Ringling Brothers passed through the area frequently and often found themselves spending a comfortable evening at the Island House.

Suite 2223 - Betsy Mo-John
Two Queen Suite
Port Clinton is the county seat for Ottawa County – named for the Ottawa Indians that originally settled in this region of Ohio.  Betsy Mo-John was the last of the Ottawa Indians to reside in the area.  Her black walnut log cabin residence remains standing today and can be found at the Giddeon Owen Wine Company located on Catawba Island Township.

Suite 2224 - Carl R. Keller
King Suite
Mayor Keller served the citizens of Port Clinton in the 1930s & 40s.  He was instrumental in creating the Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport (call sign PCW) located approximately 3 miles east of town.  Servicing the mail, freight and passenger needs of the islands and military demands of Camp Perry were the primary reasons for the construction of PCW.  In 2013, the airport was licensed by the FAA to receive international flights thereby earning the “international” designation.  Averaging approximately 150 aircraft operations daily, Keller Field is one of the busiest general aviation airfields in the Great Lakes Region.

Suite 2225 - Port Side
Two Queen Apartment Suite
When underway, the Port Side of the vessel is the left side of the boat.  Prior to ships having a rudder on the centerline, they maneuvered with the help of a steering car on the right side of the vessel.  With this addition to the vessel on the right, boats docked with their left side on the harbor or port.

Suite 2226 - Starboard
Two Queen Apartment Suite
When underway, the Starboard Side of a vessel is the right side of the boat.  Before boats had a rudder on their centerline they were steered with a steering car on the right side of the ship.  The old English steerbord, meaning the side in which the ship was steered eventually evolved to Starboard.

Suite 3301 - Milton Hershberger
Queen Suite
An aviation pioneer given the unofficial title of “The Lifeline to the Islands,” Milt built a fleet of Ford Tri-Motor planes with his Island Air Service.  Running twice daily on a loop that included Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass, North Bass and Kelleys Islands; once a week the planes would stop at Rattlesnake Island as well.  In 1938, Milt purchased the entire inventory of Ford Tri-Motor spare parts to insure uninterrupted year-round delivery of food, medicine, supplies and mail to the residents and visitors of the islands.  Before Milt, crossings in the winter were only undertaken during dire emergencies – death by drowning and exposure were common occurrences.  In nineteen years of servicing the islands, Milt only missed 14 days due to weather.

Suite 3302 - Oliver Hazard Perry
Queen Suite
Born into an American naval family, it’s only inevitable that Perry’s would be victorious on September 10th, 1813, in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.  Joining the US Navy at the age of 14, Perry served in many capacities.  However, it’s his assignment to Lake Erie that solidified his position in history.  Perry not only commanded a fleet of nine ships on Lake Erie but oversaw their construction as well.  With his victory, naval access to Lake Erie opened the door for American recapture of Detroit and an invasion of Canada by forces under the command of William Henry Harrison that were transported by Perry’s fleet of American and captured British ships. 

Suite 3303 - William Henry Harrison
King Suite
Immediately after Perry’s victory, General Harrison’s Army marched to the banks of Lake Erie and were ordered to free Detroit and prepare for an invasion of Canada.  Harrison’s men set up an encampment in the area of what is now Perry & Fulton Streets.  Perry’s fleet of ships (now including several captured British ships) ferried Harrison troops across the lake leading to a decisive American victory at the Battle of the Thames.  The boats were unable to transport all the horses under Harrison’s command into battle.  Consequently, a long fence was constructed by his troops along the east side of Fulton Street (then a simple foot path) from the lake to the Sandusky Bay. Many horses were allowed to roam free on what is now the Catawba and Marblehead area.  They were later collected by the troops returning from their successful invasion.  Two historical markers were erected to denote Harrison’s Trail.  One the northern side of the intersection of Perry and Fulton Streets and the other at the southern end of Fulton near the Sandusky Bay.

Suite 3304 - The Purple Gang
Queen Suite
This Probation Era street gang created by four brothers – Abe, Izzy, Raymond (photo) and Joe Bernstein – the Purple Gang made its mark in the Detroit underworld through murder, truck hijacking, kidnapping, vice, gambling and bootlegging.  Not wanting a conflict with Detroit, Al Capone made a business arrangement with the Purple Gang that resulted in a nearly endless supply of Canadian Whiskey to the Chicago area.  The Purples found their way to Port Clinton as a result of their ever-expanding circles of influence and connections in the cross lake bootlegging efforts of the time.  Their criminal enterprise fell apart after the murder conviction of Raymond in 1931 resulted in infighting amongst Purple Gang members and the ever-present harassment from other criminal entities.

Suite 3305 - John Zetzer
Queen Suite
Port Clinton businessman, philanthropist, pilot and bootlegger, John Zetzer had connections with the Purple Gang in Detroit, Capone Gang in Chicago and many others.  His boat named The Rumrunner is undoubtably one of the fastest privately owned water crafts to ever ply the waters of Lake Erie.  On “mail runs” to Canada, Zetzer, later in life, admitted privately to piling boxes of Canadian liquor in plain sight of law enforcement and Coast Guardsmen patrolling the waters … Zetzer just simply out ran them on his way one of his many shoreline hiding places in and around Port Clinton.  In 1935, Zetzer flew Alvin Karpus (FBI Public Enemy #1) from Port Clinton to Arkansas after Karpis robbed a train in Garrettsville, Ohio.  Although Zetzer denied to his time of death he didn’t know his passenger, he was convicted of aiding and abetting and spent five years in federal prison.  Local lore also has it that Zetzer flew the hitman that killed Jimmy Hoffa from Port Clinton to Detroit and back in 1982 – a detail that was portrayed in the 2019 movie “The Irishman.” 

Suite 3306 - Al Capone
King Suite
With hundreds of newspaper articles, books, TV shows and movies writing about Al Capone, we all are familiar with his life and times.  What many don’t realize is that when “it got too hot in Chicago”, Al found his way to Port Clinton to “let things cool off a bit.”  Although no official record exists of his stays in the Island House, many locals can attest to his presence.  Room 3306 offered the ideal view of the lake & Portage River as well as Perry and Madison Streets.  Lookouts and body guards could be placed at strategic locations in and around the building as lookouts, protectors and aides to escape if “Johnny Law” came a-calling.

Suite 3307 - Alvin Karpis
Queen Suite
Public Enemy #1 in 1935, and leader of the Barker-Karpis gang.  Although his life was filled with criminal activity, he is probably best known for the “last great train robbery” when he and members of his gang robbed a train in Garrettsville, Ohio on November 7, 1935.  After the robbery, Karpis and others found their way to Port Clinton where the group split up.  Karpis and at least one other train robber were flown from Karl R. Keller airfield just east of town to Missouri where they were captured.

Suite 3308 - Ms. Rose Pasco
King Suite
Lovingly referred to as “Dago Rose”, Ms. Pasco ran a world-famous brothel located on the east side of town until the mid-1970s.  As a matter of fact, the building stood at the corner of State and Buckeye until it was raised in January 2024.  For a period of time, the unofficial slogan of visitors for Port Clinton was “Wine, Women & Walleye” as this area was well known for its many vineyards, world class fishing and the unique hospitality that could only be found at Rosies.  For the record, we still have the wine and walleye – you are on your own for the rest!

Suite 3309 - Company C
King Suite with Jacuzzi
One of three Companies of the 192nd Tank Battalion sent to Manilla just prior to the outbreak of WWII.  Company C was a National Guard unit from Port Clinton.  After multiple tank to tank skirmishes with Imperial Japanese forces, multiple Allied Troops, including Port Clinton’s own Company C, surrendered after an organized retreat to the Bataan Peninsula on April 9th, 1942.  Surrendering Allied Forces were then forced to participate in what became know as the Bataan Death March and remained prisoners of war until the close of the Allied invasion of the Philippines.  Bataan Memorial Elementary School holding grades K-5 is located on West 6th Street in Port Clinton as tribute to those that faught, died and lived to tell the story of their time in Bataan.​​

Suite 3310 - President William Howard Taft
Queen Suite
An Ohio attorney and judge, Taft was US President from 1909-1913.  He also served as Governor of the Philippines Territory and Secretary of War under President Theordore Roosevelt. A run for a second term in office was not successful.  However, a lover of the law, Taft was appointed as Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.  Somehow, President Taft was able to find his way to the Island House for an occasional break at the lake. 

​Suite 3311 - President Rutherford B. Hayes
Queen Suite​​
Born and raised just 15 miles from Port Clinton, the Hayes family had always maintained strong ties to the community.  So, it’s no wonder he found himself staying at the Island House on occasion.  Mouse Island, just a few hundred feet off shore from the Miller Ferry on Catawba was once owned by the Hayes Family.  The Hayes Presidental Museum in Fremont is a great place to soak up some local history and learn more about our 19th President.

Suite 3312 - President James A. Garfield
Queen Suite
Civil War hero, attorney, experienced politician and Ohioan, Garfield followed Hayes as the 20th US President.  Garfield succumbed to an assassins bullet just six months after being sworn in to office.  However, he still found an opportunity to make his way to the shores of Lake Erie and the hospitality of the Island House.

Suite 3313 - Ohio Governor John Bricker
Queen Suite
A graduate of The Ohio State University, John was a WWI veteran, attorney and Republican nominee for USVP in 1944 on the Thomas Dewey ticket.  He served as Ohio Attorney General and was the 54th Ohio Governor serving from 1939-1945.  In 1946 Ohioans sent Bricker to Washington as a US Senator.  Additionally, Gov. Bricker found his way to the luxury of the Island House on several occasions.