 The Presque Isle peninsula forms Presque Isle Bay , which serves as a natural harbor for Erie . During the 19th century , as Lake Erie navigation grew more important , shipping aids were built on Presque Isle . As of 2007 , two main lighthouses can be found in the park . The Erie Harbor North Pier Light began as a wooden tower , erected in 1830 . In 1858 , a stronger steel structure was brought from France and installed at Erie to replace the wooden beacon , which had been damaged by a schooner . This light still stands at the far eastern side of the park , near the inlet between the lake and the bay . 
