South Bass Island is a small island in western Lake Erie, and a part of Ottawa County, Ohio, United States. It is the southernmost of the three Bass Islands and located 3 miles (4.6 km) from the south shore of Lake Erie. It is the third largest island in the Lake Erie Islands, and is part of Put-in-Bay Township. The island is a popular recreation spot.
South Bass Island is approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide and comprises 1,588.3 acres (642.8 ha). The island is 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the nearest point on the mainland (Scott Point in Catawba Island Township) and approximately 10 miles (16 km) NNE of Port Clinton, Ohio, and 14 miles (23 km) NNW of Sandusky, Ohio. As of the 2000 census there were 631 residents on the island. The only incorporated community is the village of Put-in-Bay.
The village of Put-in-Bay is a popular tourist stop during the summer. The island is often referred to as the "Key West of Lake Erie". Put-in-Bay is served by ferry from nearby Port Clinton and Sandusky. Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, including Perry's Monument, commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie is located on South Bass Island, near Put-In-Bay. The island is also the annual host of the Inter-Lake Yachting Association regatta, known as Bay Week.
In the bay of South Bass is Gibraltar Island, home to the Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory.
Transportation via car, bike, or walking to the island is provided by ferries from the Miller Boat Line (departing from the northern point of Catawba Island), and Jet Express (departing from Port Clinton, Ohio, Sandusky, Ohio, and Lorain, Ohio), and many more including various charter boat companies in the area. The island also has a small airport. Golf carts are a popular method of transportation on the island.
Famous quotes containing the words south, bass and/or island:
“The South Wind is a baker.”
—Vachel Lindsay (1879–1931)
“How are we to know that a Dracula is a key-pounding pianist who lifts his hands up to his face, or that a bass fiddle is the doghouse, or that shmaltz musicians are four-button suit guys and long underwear boys?”
—In New York City, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“I ... would rather be in dependance on Great Britain, properly limited, than on any nation upon earth, or than on no nation. But I am one of those too who rather than submit to the right of legislating for us assumed by the British parliament, and which late experience has shewn they will so cruelly exercise, would lend my hand to sink the whole island in the ocean.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)