Beaver Island Harbor Light facts for kids
 |
|
| Whiskey Point (St. James Harbor, Beaver Island) | |
 Beaver Island Harbor Light
Location in Michigan
|
|
| Location | Beaver Island St. James, Michigan United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°44′34″N 85°30′31″W / 45.74278°N 85.50861°W |
| Year first constructed | 1856 (original tower) 1870 (current tower) |
| Year first lit | 1870 |
| Automated | 1927 |
| Tower shape | Cylindrical |
| Markings / pattern | White (Originally yellow) w/ black lantern |
| Height | 41 feet (12 m) |
| Focal height | 38 feet (12 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth Order Fresnel |
| Current lens | Fourth Order Fresnel |
| Range | 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) |
| Characteristic | ISO Red 6 seconds
Light obscured from 127°30′ to 199°30 |
| ARLHS number | USA-047 |
| USCG number | 7-17845 |
The Beaver Island Harbor Light is a cool lighthouse in St. James, Michigan. It sits on the northern tip of Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. People also call it "St. James Light" or "Whiskey Point Light." This lighthouse helps boats find their way safely. It works with a U.S. Coast Guard station nearby. The tower itself is made from a special kind of light-colored brick called Cream City Brick.
What's in a Name? The Story of Whiskey Point
The area where the lighthouse stands is called Whiskey Point. This name came from a trading post that opened there in 1838. Traders would exchange goods with people in the area.
In the 1850s, St. James Harbor became a very important place. It was a safe spot for ships to hide during bad storms on Lake Michigan. Because of this, building a lighthouse there made perfect sense. It would help guide ships to safety.
Building the Lighthouse
The very first lighthouse at this spot was built in 1856. But the lighthouse you see today was built a bit later, in 1870. It has been helping sailors ever since!
Still Guiding Ships Today
Even now, the Beaver Island Harbor Light is super important. The Beaver Island ferry uses the harbor, and the lighthouse helps guide it. This means the light is still actively working to keep everyone safe on the water.
-
U.S. Coast Guard Archive Photo
-
Station without Keeper's Quarters, U.S. Coast Guard Archive Photo
- National Park Service, Inventory of Historic Light Stations, St. James Light at Beaver Harbor.
