Gibraltar Island

"We have opened our eyes on a beautiful day - such nectar to breathe! Never was there such an atmosphere as that of Gibraltar & Put in Bay - ..." Jay Cooke, The Gibraltar Records, 1866 June 11, Monday

During the time of Jay Cooke and his family, Gibraltar Island had been visited and cherished by both the Cooke family and their many friends. The island, of nearly eight acres, had been purchased by Jay Cooke from J.D. Rivera St.Jago, on January 27, 1864 for the sum of $3,001. In the spring of 1864, Cooke began construction of the Cooke Mansion, better known as the Cooke Castle. The island and it's peaceful surroundings, became a haven of retreat for the Cooke family and their acquaintances during the hard times of the Civil War.

The nineteenth century spirit of the island will forever be remembered within the hand written pages of the Gibraltar Records. The records contain journal entries written by Jay Cooke, his family members, and various other visitors to the island. A couple of passages written between the summer of 1866 and the summer of 1867, provide us with a glimpse of the island from a time long past...

"On approaching the Island the scene was almost fairy like the waters were quite smooth- & the Islands dressed in their loveliest summer garb- The glorious old flag waved from the top of the Tower- another from the Boathouse, whilst the little fleet of boats anchored off the dock- those of them having masts were also gaily decked- On the lawn in front of the Mansion- bay side- a band of musicians were playing a welcome- some beautiful pieces & very well performed..." ..."Is it sinful to be so happy here--? & to while away days so deliciously? I think not -- for it gives us health & strength--..."

The island is situated in the waters of Lake Erie and is a part of Put-In-Bay. Gibraltar Island received it's name because the eastern edge of the island rises out of the water in a similar manner to the more famous rock of the Mediterranean.

Gibraltar Island supports the highest land elevation in the Put-In-Bay area. This allowed the island to become a lookout point for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the fight against the British during the War of 1812. Perry and his men defeated a fleet of British sailing vessels during the famous Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. As a result, the lookout point on Gibraltar Island became known as Perry's Lookout.

In 1925, the island was sold to Julius Stone by the Cooke-Barney family, daughter and son-in-law to Jay Cooke. Julius Stone, an Ohio State University trustee at the time, donated the island to the Ohio State University to be used as a Lake Laboratory for the purpose of teaching, learning, and research. The Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory was built on the island in 1929, and was named in honor of Julius Stone's father. Today, Gibraltar Island continues to be the home of the Stone Laboratory, and is a place for freshwater research and teaching through The Ohio State University.

The little island of Gibraltar witnessed war and cannon fire early in the nineteenth century with Perry's battle. Later in the same century Cooke Castle was built, and although worn and weathered, this massive stone structure has survived to our present day. Gibraltar Island and everything on it was a gift from the past...from Julius Stone and his vision of a great research facility...to Jay Cooke and the stone masons who built the great castle with 19th century hands. The gift of Gibraltar Island will continue to benefit many generations well into the future.

Map of the Gibraltar Area
Period Map Showing Gibraltar Island in Relationship to Other Islands
- Full Scale Map

Celebrating the Battle
The Battle of Erie
September 10 1813.
Oliver Hazard Perry, "We have met the enemy and they are ours"
This day was duly celebrated at Gibraltar Monday September 10 1866 by the hoisting of flags, and the firing of guns from the "Commodore Perry" and the "Sherman".
-- September 10, 1866 Journal Entry from the Cooke Family Gibraltar Records, University Archives

Journal Entry by Jay Cooke
- A Day At Gibraltar (1887 October 01)

Gibraltar Island, a Gift to the University
- The OSU Board of Trustees Proceedings for July 6, 1925