Photo credited to travelmi.org
This post is prepared as a study guide for #StateChallenge on February 7th at 11:30 - 12:30, initially created by @Kwiksatik @Denise_Barlock and @jayasimha78
The new year was captured by our tour to 5 different lighthouses along the northwestern part of Michigan, by the Lake of Michigan. There are approximately 182 lighthouses spread all over Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
One of those days during the holiday breaks, my Husband and I decided to bundle up and hit the road. The weather has been very bad lately, with wind gusts reaching up to 70mph. This is a saying we have when we hear someone complain that the weather is too cold or the road is too icy: “We are Michiganders, suck it up, Cupcake.”
With the right gear, winter jacket, winter boots, hat, and gloves, we explored our lovely lighthouses. That day the weather was 23F (-5C) with windgust 3F (-17C). Please listen to the video with the volume up. You can hear the sound of the wind.
Holland, Michigan Lighthouse - https://www.bigredlighthouse.com/
Holland Lighthouse, also known as Big Red Lighthouse, Michigan’s most photographed lighthouse, was built around 1870-1872, and it was not painted red till 1956. Walking access to the lighthouse is available only on Tuesday and Thursday from mid-morning to sunset to residents only.
- accessibility: wheelchair accessible via Holland State Park for viewing only, not to the Lighthouse
- statepark fee: yes, the public viewing area of the lighthouse is inside the Holland State Park
- children’s playground: yes, in the State Park
- museum: yes, before entering the State Park
- fee to climb the tower: no
Quoted as written on a bronze plaque (see photo above):
“The first lighthouse built at this location was a small, square wooden structure erected in 1872. In 1880 the lighthouse service installed a new light atop a metal pole in a protective cage. The oil lantern was lowered by pulleys for service. At the turn of the century, a steel tower was built for light, and in 1907, the presence structure was erected. It was named Holland Harbor South Pierhead Lighthouse, it has a gabled roof that reflects the Dutch influence of the area. The lighthouse, particularly referred to as “Big Red”, was automated in 1932. When the US Coast Guard recommended that it be abandoned in 1970, Citizens circulated a petition to rescue it. The Holland Harbor Lighthouse historical commission was then organized to preserve and restore the landmark.”
Quoted as written on a bronze plaque (see photo above):
“When seeking a location for his Netherlands immigrant followers in 1847, the Reverend A.C. Van Raalte was attracted by the potential of using Black Lake (Lake Mecatawa) as a harbor. However, the Lake’s outlet to Lake Michigan was blocked by the sandbars and silt. Van Raalte appealed to Congress for help. The channel was surveyed in 1849, but was not successfully opened due to inadequate appropriations. Frustrated, the Dutch settlers dug the channel themselves. On July 1st, 1850, the small steamboat Huron put into port. Herein 1886, the government established the harbor’s first lifesaving station. By 1899, the channel had been relocated and harbor work completed. This spurred businesses and resort expansion. In 1900, over 1095 sconners, steamers, and barges used the harbor.”
The Michigan Historical Commission has over 1,800 statewide bronze plaques to highlight significant historical sites and support tourism in Michigan.
Quoted information located at the site (see left photo above)
“By the late 1850s, shipping on the Great Lakes had grown to impressive levels. On a summer’s day, the lakes were often dotted with steamers and sailing ships.
But, then as now, sailors carried with them a healthy respect for these vast lakes. They knew the Great Lakes for what they were; moody inland seas, with dangers equal to any ocean on earth.
Recognizing the importance of the Great Lakes to commerce in the rapidly growing Midwest, the Federal government began an ambitious lighthouse building program in the later half of the nineteenth century.
On the uncertain waters of the Great Lakes, the new lighthouses were welcome beacons of safety. Marking harbor entrances, islands, points, and hidden shoals and reefs, the lights enabled ships to steer clear of dangerous waters and to locate refuge during rough weather.
Well into the 1920s, light stations were manned by lighthouse keepers and their families. Stationed at remote locations scattered around the lakes, lightkeepers tended their stations from early May through November. Regardless of the lake’s storms and tempests, lightkeepers were expected to: keep their lamps burning as long as the tower remained standing.
By the 1940s, electric lights, radio beacons and automatic, gear-driven lights had replaced all but a few of the manned light stations on the Great Lakes, bringing to a close the lightkeepers lonely vigil. Today, visitors can recapture that White River bygone era by touring one of Lake Michigan’s lighthouse museums.
Lake Michigan lighthouse museums that you can visit include; Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, South Manitou Island Lighthouse, Big Sable Point Lighthouse, White River Light Station, and the Seul Choix Point Lighthouse & Museum.”
Nearby, there is a general store and the Pump House Museum, which offers free admission.
Grand Haven South Pierhead -
https://www.michigan.org/property/grand-haven-south-pier-lighthouses
In 1839, the lighthouse was built, and in 1852, a storm destroyed the seawall, and two weeks later, the lighthouse and cottage collapsed. In 1856, a new lighthouse that rotated was built with a clock mechanism that flashed every 1.5 minutes. It guided sailors for the next 50 years
- accessibility: no
- statepark fee: no
- children’s playground: yes
- museum: no
- fee to climb the tower: no, due to liability. It is a local landmark, not a public tour, but you can walk close to the lighthouse on the pier for free
Please turn up your volume and listen to the sound of the wind and the waves
White River Light Station -
https://www.michigan.org/property/white-river-light-station-and-museum
The lighthouse was built in 1875. The lighthouse was decommissioned in the 60s and opened its museum in the early 70s. The gift shop is on the 1st floor of the lighthouse and allows visitors to climb its tower.
- accessibility: yes (partially), the ramp to the main level in the museum and an accessible restroom, and it is also service-pet friendly.
- state park fee: no
- children’s playground: no
- museum: yes
- fee to climb the tower: $8 for adults and $5 for kids. It’s free for active military and veterans.
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Please turn up the volume and hear the sound of the wind 
Quoted information as written on a sign (see right photo above):
“Prior to the construction of the White River Light Station, a beacon light was built at the end of the South Pier in 1871. In 1910, the catwalk of the South Pier beacon light was converted from wood to metal.
The beacon light at the end of the South Pier housed a 5th order Fresnel Lens and was visible 11 1/2 miles out. In 1902, the Fresnel Lens was changed to a 6th order lens causing the visibility to drop down to 9 miles out.”
The last 2 bottom photos above are a shipwreck that Esther Jamieson donated
Quoted the letter from Esther Jamieson (right bottom photo above):
“Courtesy of the July 13, 1977 White Laker Observer pg. 6.
PIECE OF SHIPWRECK DONATED
By Esther Jamieson
Fruitland Township - Who built the schooner?
When?
What bound for?
How many hands were lost?
Only God, and maybe Davy Jones know the answers.
Last October a piece of shipwreck was retrieved from Lake Michigan at Little Sable Point Sable near Shelby. E.F. Porter of Okemos, MI and 13 others assisted in the recovery effort.
The salvaged portion may have been a part of a wrecked schooner.
The stem, of heavy oak, 12 feet long, has Roman numerals V and VI which could be plismol markings. There are heavy marine spikes and one heavy chain in perfect condition.
The wreckage was offered first to the State Historical Society, then to the Dawson Museum of Detroit. Since neither museum could use the remains, a report of the salvage was written in
“Telescope”, a marine magazine.
It was in this publication that Richard Gebhart, curator of the White River Museum, learned of the retrieved shipwreck which
was available.
Last fall Richard Hain and Vern Donley of the Fruitland Township Park Commission, using a tractor, forklift, and truck, moved the heavy wreckage to the museum grounds. A concrete base was prepared for the precious marine memorial.”
Little Sable Point Lighthouse -
https://www.michigan.org/property/little-sable-point-lighthouse
This lighthouse was built in the late 1874 with its distinctive red brick (originally unpainted, then painted white, then sandblasted back to original red brick color), it stands over 100 feet tall. The original name is Petite Pointe Au Sable. There are 130 steps to climb the lighthouse, which one must be 40 inches or taller to access.
- accessibility: yes to the paved path to the base, but not to the lighthouse itself
- statepark fee: yes
- children’s playground: no
- museum: no, but you can climb the tower and learn about its history from the volunteers
- fee to climb tower: yes, $8 for adults, $5 for 17 and under, free for active duty and veterans
Quoted as written on the Bronze Plaque (photo above)
“PETITE POINTE AU SABLE LIGHTHOUSE
Here the Petite Pointe Au Sable (little point of sand) juts into Lake Michigan. Increased shipping on lake started after the Civil War, largely due to the expanding lumber industry. Consequently, this isolated point became the site of several shipwrecks, including the April 1871 beaching of the schooner Pride. To aid navigation around the hazard, the United States Congress approved funding in 1872 for the erection of a lighthouse. The location’s inaccessibility by road delayed completion of the lighthouse until 1874. A house was constructed to board the keeper, his assistant, and their families. The first keeper was James Davenport of Mackinac Island.”
The uniqueness of this lighthouse location is carried in / carried out unit; no trash barrels are provided. A plastic trash bag is provided by the Park for individuals to take out their own trash.
Manistee North Pier Lighthouse -
https://www.michigan.org/property/manistee-north-pierhead-lighthouse???
This lighthouse was built in 1872, standing 39 feet tall. It is considered one of the most beautiful lighthouses and is known for its classic look. The lighthouse can be reached in a quarter-mile walk from the parking lot.
A ticket to climb the tower can be purchased at the gift shop located at the base of the tower. You can climb the tower barefoot, but no flipflop.
- accessibility: yes on the boardwalk only, no for the lighthouse itself due to stairs and uneven surface
- statepark fee: no
- children’s playground: no
- museum: no
- fee to climb tower: yes, $8 for adults and $5 for 17 and under, and free for active duty or veterans
In 1879, the United States Coast Guard was built for the life-saving service.
Lighthouses I have visited in the past:
Tawas Point Lighthouse
South Haven Lighthouse
Au Gres North Pier Lighthouse
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
Copper Harbor Lighthouse
Hubby and I bundled up, brrrrrrr 
Thank you for reading my post. I hope to see you at the StateChallenge meetup!
Love&Peace
