Name/Title
Photo of Koster's DockEntry/Object ID
2022.2.27.20Description
This photograph of Kosters dock and wine cellar in the year 1898 hangs on the wall in the Kelleys Island State Park’s main office.Context
German immigrant Herman Koster built a wine cellar on Kelleys Island in 1883. Koster then built the dock in 1889 to ship his wine to the mainland. The wine cellar burned in 1932 and was demolished in 1933. Koster’s winery eventually went out of business and the dock was used by many other companies, including Sweet Valley, Monarch, and Meiers Wine Company, as well as Kelleys Island Lime and Transport Company. The Lay Brothers Fish Company and Kelleys Island Fish Producers Co-op also used this dock as a transfer station.
The pound stake piledrivers shown in this photo were used to set up pound nets. This began another profitable business for the islanders. Bigger pound nets were set in lines that would progressively increase as well as move deeper and deeper into Lake Erie.
Koster's Dock is now owned by the Unique Markers Yacht Club and continues to be an important historical landmark. The dock has also been used as a marina and for sportfishing charters.
https://kelleysisland.com/listing/unique-marker-yacht-club/Location
* Untyped Location
Kelley's Island State Park