Cheboygan Crib Light facts for kids
The Cheboygan Crib Light is a special kind of light that helps boats find their way on Lake Huron. It's located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River in Cheboygan, Michigan. This light stands proudly at the end of Huron Street, right in the middle of Cheboygan's Gordon Turner Park. It's an important landmark for the town!
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| The light in 2001 | |
 Cheboygan Crib Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Cheboygan, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 45°39.408′N 84°27.900′W / 45.656800°N 84.465000°W |
| Year first constructed | 1884 |
| Year first lit | 1884 |
| Foundation | oak ring |
| Construction | cast iron |
| Tower shape | Octagonal and frustum of a cone |
| Markings / pattern | White tower with red lantern and trim |
| Height | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Focal height | 35 feet (11 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl Red, 4 seconds |
| ARLHS number | USA-160 |
| USCG number | 7-11800 |
Contents
History of the Cheboygan Crib Light
The Cheboygan Crib Light has an interesting past. It's called a "light" instead of a "lighthouse" because no one ever lived inside it.
Early Days: Manned Light (1884-1920)
The light was first built in 1884. It stood on a "crib," which was like a small, artificial island in Lake Huron. This island was over 2,000 feet (about 610 meters) from the shore. The person who took care of the light, called a keeper, probably lived in Cheboygan.
Daily Boat Trips for the Keeper
Every day, the keeper had to boat out to the crib. This was necessary to maintain the light, which was powered by kerosene. It was a tough and sometimes dangerous job, especially in bad weather. To make things easier and safer, special cranes called davits were added to the crib. These davits helped lift the keeper's boat out of the water. This protected the boat from waves and made unloading supplies easier.
Changes and Upgrades
In 1901, the light was painted white. This made it easier for boats to see during the day. Two years later, in 1903, the old wooden structure was replaced. A new, stronger concrete and steel structure was built. Iron railings were also added to make it safer for the keeper.
In 1906, a ship accidentally crashed into the light, causing a lot of damage. After this, a fog bell was installed. This bell would ring to warn ships in foggy weather and help prevent future crashes. The railings were also replaced. In 1911, an automatic fog bell was put in. It would ring once every ten seconds all by itself.
Modern Era: Automated Light (1920-Present)
In 1920, the United States Lighthouse Service made the Crib Light automatic. This meant a keeper no longer had to visit it every day.
How the Automated Light Worked
Instead of kerosene, the light now used acetylene gas. A small pilot light burned all the time. When the sun went down, the temperature would drop. This temperature change would open a special valve. The valve would release acetylene gas, which would then light up the main lamp. A special crew would visit periodically to bring new tanks of gas.
The Light's Journey to Gordon Turner Park
After the last keeper left in 1929, the light wasn't cared for as well. Locals even started calling it "The Dummy." Later in the 1900s, new technologies like radar made many old lights less important. The United States Coast Guard decided the Crib Light was no longer needed in its original spot.
In 1984, the light tower was moved from its crib in the lake. It was placed on its current base at the Gordon Turner Park pier head. This move saved the light from being torn down. The city of Cheboygan now takes care of the Cheboygan Crib Light. The light itself, which now uses electricity, is maintained by a local group. Many people see the light tower as a symbol of Cheboygan.
Where to Find the Light Today
The Cheboygan Crib Light is located in Gordon Turner Park. This park is just north of U.S. Highway 23 in Cheboygan. It's also west of the Cheboygan River.
You can find the park at the end of Huron Street. A boardwalk in the park leads you right to the Cheboygan River and the light. You can walk around the light and see it up close. Sometimes, you can even see the light from special lighthouse boat tours that leave from Mackinaw City.
A few blocks up the river, you can also see another important light called the Cheboygan River Front Range Light.
Images for kids
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Vintage image of the light (on its crib and before being moved)
