The Benson Ford Shiphouse is now located in Ohio on the beautiful Lake Erie islands of Put-in-Bay. This unique home is a magnificent four-story vacation home owned by Bryan Kasper and family. What once was the forecastle of a cargo ship created for Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company, hauling iron ore around the great lakes, is now a breathtaking scenic getaway.

This massive 7,000 square foot summer home is fully equipped with a full kitchen, dining room, family room, five bedrooms, five full baths, a garage, and a pilot house. The original walnut-paneled staterooms keep the authentic ship feel throughout the lake house that makes you feel as though you’re on a luxurious maiden voyage across the Great Lakes.

The Benson Ford Shiphouse was formerly named the John Dykstra II after it was decommissioned in 1981. In 1992, this retired freighter was originally supposed to become a bed and breakfast located on South Bass Island but after a lengthy legal battle, it was determined that this vast houseboat could not be used for this purpose. The owner at the time, Frank Sullivan, decided after this that he would sell the boat to the current owners, Jerry and Bryan Kasper.

The shiphouse is a great attraction for a family road trip to put-in-bay, reachable by a golf cart, it has some of the most breathtaking views on the island. Just a short drive from Cleveland and Toledo, The Benson Ford shiphouse is now known as one of the most interesting houses on Put-in-Bay island and sits overlooking on Lake Erie.