Johnson’s Island

Johnson’s Island, originally Bull’s Island, is a 300-acre island located in the Sandusky Bay on the shores of Lake Erie. This island is the site of a former Prisoner of War Camp for Confederate officers, in operation for 40 months total in 1862 – 1865. In this time over 10,000 men passed through the prison doors, making this Ohio’s most significant Civil War Site.

The prison consisted of 12 prison blocks inside a stockade, with around 3,000 prisoners inside at any given time. The area was most formally named the ‘Depot of Prisoners of War’.

Just 1/2 mile north of the prison you will find the cemetery from the prison, this site one that you can actually visit today. Marble headstones replace old wooden crosses, and a bronze statue sits toward the front of the cemetery, placed here in 1910. There are a couple hundred men buried within its confines.

Johnson’s Island is mostly residential now, but in its past, it saw days as both a Pleasure Resort and Quarry Operation. Neither venture lasted too terribly long, though the history of both is still interesting.

Are you looking for an affordable customized group trip?

Request Pricing
Just making sure you are human and not a robot.