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Built on a
ridge near Perry's Lookout, construction of the limestone mansion
began in the spring of 1864, under the supervision of Jay Cooke's
brother Pitt Cooke. Construction of the 15 room mansion was no
small venture. Materials had to be shipped over water, and labor
workers had to travel across the bay to the Gibraltar Island construction
site. Jay's father, Eleutheros Cooke, was concerned over this
issue and wrote this passage in a letter to his son...
"Your building will cost you terribly. White saw Pitts scow
man this morning from Port Clinton, who wont carry over the stone
for less than $4.00 the cord & mechanics most of them - insist
on $3 & board to go out there." Eleutheros Cooke, April 19, 1864
Events related to the Civil War also created problems. On September
19, 1864, the sailing vessel called the Island Queen was on route
to the Gibraltar Island construction site with a load of lumber.
The sailing vessel had left Sandusky, but was intercepted and
sunk by Confederate raiders.
The house was completed as the Civil War was ending, and the first
visit by the Cooke family to their newly built island home was
on June 15, 1865. The landmark feature of the house is the octagonal
tower that stands high above the island, allowing for a magnificent
view of the lake in all directions. A view very reminiscent of
the view that Perry and his men might have witnessed during the
War of 1812.
"The glorious old flag waved from the top of the tower..."
June 8, 1866, The Gibraltar Records
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The American flag was hoisted to the top of the pole to welcome
incoming guests to Gibraltar, and at other times, the flag would
be lowered to express sadness in the event of a loved one departing
the island...
"...we discovered to our sorrow that Miss Kitty Cooke, was
about to leave us...went to the tower of the Gibraltar mansion,
and placed the American Flag at half-mast, as some slight-expression
of our feelings..." July 10, 1871, The Gibraltar Records
Inside the tower at the base, bookcases made of cherry wood were
crafted to contain the Cooke library. The Cooke library was extensive
due to the fact that reading was a favorite pastime enjoyed by
the family members and to many of their guests. Also within the
tower library, stood a grand old organ that would have certainly
brought the sounds of inspirational old hymns, and other 19th
century music to the halls of the mansion. The organ still exists
today and is on display at The Ohio State University.
After the death of Jay Cooke in 1905, family visits to the mansion
became less and less frequent. The house and the island eventually
became part of The Ohio State University, through a generous gift
from Julius F. Stone. Currently the university is in the process
of restoring this historic old structure to the original 19th
century grandeur that it once had.
Cooke Castle stands high upon Gibraltar Island overlooking the
great Lake Erie. It was once a glorious mansion...and has stood
upon it's foundation for nearly a century and a half.
To once again provide shelter from the elements...to once again
fly the flag up high from atop the tower...to once again hear
the grand old organ music resonating through the halls. The future
of Cooke Castle is hopeful, and this grand old structure will
once again be a magnificent historic castle.
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