Kelleys Island, Ohio

Kelleys Island is both a village in Erie County, Ohio, United States, and the island which it fully occupies in Lake Erie. Originally known by the British as "Sandusky Island", but later officially designated by the U.S. as Island Number 6 and Cunningham Island, it was renamed 'Kelleys Island' in 1840 by brothers Datus and Irad Kelley, who had purchased nearly the entire island.This island was previously occupied (probably seasonally) by Native Americans, and whose ancient "graffiti" (which was inscribed on a large boulder), can still be seen, here. During the beginning of The War of 1812, this island was utilized as a military rendezvous post, initially by the British, and also later by the US Military. During the early 19th-century, the island was mostly uninhabited. After the Kelley brothers purchased the island, the population began to grow (mainly as a result of commercial extraction of the island's limestone and lumber resources, and also grape-growing). In the 21st-century, the population was 312 at the 2010 census.Today, Kelleys Island is primarily a vacation destination, and sees thousands of visitors each summer. Notable attractions include its various beaches, parks, and campgrounds. Several ferries provide regular transport for most travelers; the island also features a number of marinas, as well as a small airfield for private planes. It is the largest of the American Lake Erie Islands, and is a part of the Sandusky, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area.