Picture owning your very own lighthouse, a majestic beacon overlooking a vast bay, embodying both hope and history.
Sheila Consaul, a 65-year-old aficionado of historic preservation, turned this dream into reality.
For a sum of $71,000, Sheila purchased a derelict lighthouse in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, and embarked on a journey that would see her invest over $300,000 in transforming it into her dream vacation home.
Living in a lighthouse is far from ordinary; solitude greets you at every turn.
Forget about a driveway leading to the front door; instead, you park half a mile away and transport everything you need by hand, from groceries to generator fuel. Yet, the experience, once embraced, is unparalleled.
Sheila’s journey began from her passion for historic preservation and a desire for a unique summer retreat.
Upon discovering that the government was auctioning off lighthouses, she saw an opportunity to merge her interests.
Though the lighthouse she acquired was in a sorry state, with cracked windows and peeling plaster, Sheila remained undeterred.
With the aid of a home equity loan, she embarked on a challenging yet fulfilling renovation project.
Renovating the lighthouse presented numerous challenges; every construction material had to be hoisted by crane and transported by boat due to its remote location.
Furthermore, being entirely off the grid posed additional hurdles; rebuilding the electrical system and relying on a gasoline-powered generator were just a few of Sheila’s tasks.
Despite these obstacles, the transformation is remarkable.
Today, the lighthouse boasts a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and modern appliances.
The plumbing and electrical systems have been overhauled, while the once-broken windows now showcase stunning stained glass.
However, preserving its historical essence was equally paramount.
Original features like dark brown floorboards and cast-iron stairs remain intact, alongside innovations such as a rainwater collection system.
Since 2012, Sheila has welcomed guests to the lighthouse, hosting annual open houses and sharing this community treasure with others.
Maintained by the Coast Guard and still serving as a navigational aid, the lighthouse stands as a testament to community and heritage.
Would Sheila embark on this journey again? Perhaps not, but the rewards have been immeasurable.
While she currently has no plans to rent out her unique summer home, she remains open to the possibility.
For now, she revels in the fruits of her labor and the extraordinary experience of lighthouse living.
Sheila Consaul’s story exemplifies what happens when perseverance and passion converge.
She didn’t just acquire a property; she rescued a historical gem, ensuring it endures for generations to come.
Take a virtual tour of the lighthouse in the accompanying video below!
Feel free to share this remarkable tale with your loved ones.
A famous star was hospitalized.
A representative for Oprah Winfrey just revealed on Instagram that the author will be making an appearance on CBS Mornings to discuss her most recent book recommendation.Sadly, over the weekend, the well-liked host contracted a stomach virus.Gayle King assumed command and gave the reason behind Winfrey’s absence.A spokesman for Winfrey told CNN in a statement on Tuesday that “Ms. Winfrey is recovering from a stomach virus and was given an IV due to dehydration at the recommendation of her doctor.”
“She is getting more rest and improving every day.”Winfrey admitted to her best friend and journalist that she “couldn’t keep enough water down to stay hydrated” in a video chat that was shared on Gayle King’s Instagram page. This ultimately caused Winfrey to visit the hospital.King assured viewers that despite the health setback, Winfrey will eventually “be OK.”
She said, “I hope sharing that detail doesn’t bother her.”During a joint interview with the New York Times in January, Winfrey and King expressed their deep relationship and gave one other high accolades.She tells the truth with brutality. Even if it’s not what you want to hear,” King once observed in reference to Winfrey.
“[We] really, really enjoy each other.”In January of last year, Winfrey demonstrated that, at seventy, she is still in excellent physical shape.The media titan was seen running on the beach with her dog and another woman in the footage that she shared on Instagram.She thanked everyone who had sent her birthday greetings in the caption, praising health as the greatest gift.
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