Crisp Point Light facts for kids

Crisp Point is a historic lighthouse and former life-saving station located on the shore of Lake Superior. It is found in McMillan Township, Luce County, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Crisp Point was once one of five important stations built to help ships in trouble. These stations were part of the United States Life-Saving Service. This group rescued sailors and ships along the coast of Lake Superior. The station was named after Christopher Crisp, a brave boatman who worked there. In 1915, the Life-Saving Service became part of the United States Coast Guard. Later, the United States Lighthouse Service also joined the Coast Guard in 1939.

History of Crisp Point Lighthouse

Undated historic photo of the lighthouse with the former keepers dwelling

The idea for Crisp Point Lighthouse first came up in 1896. It took several years, but construction finally began in 1903. The land for the lighthouse, about 15 acres (6.1 ha)s, cost $30.00.

The lighthouse tower stands 58-foot (18 m) tall. Inside, a special lens called a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed. This lens was made in Paris, France. The light shone for the first time in May 1904.

Over the years, the lighthouse and life-saving station faced a lot of damage. Strong winds and water erosion from Lake Superior destroyed most of the buildings. Only the lighthouse tower and part of the entrance room remained. To protect the tower, large amounts of stone were placed in front of it. This work started in 1997 and has continued over many years.

The Shipwreck Coast

The area between Whitefish Point and Grand Island is known as "The Shipwreck Coast." Many ships have been lost here due to severe storms.

One famous shipwreck was the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. It sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. This happened about 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Crisp Point. The Edmund Fitzgerald was a large freighter, and its sinking is still remembered today.

Other ships also had trouble near Crisp Point. In 1908, the freighter SS D.M. Clemson disappeared without a trace. During the Great Lakes Storm of 1913, the freighter Major got stuck near the point. The William Nottingham also lost three men in the area during the same storm.

Saving the Lighthouse

The Crisp Point Lighthouse was almost completely lost. It was damaged by the weather and not taken care of for a while. In 1993, the United States Coast Guard stopped using the lighthouse.

However, people wanted to save it. In 1997, ownership of the lighthouse was given to Luce County. It was then leased to the Crisp Point Light Historical Society. This group worked hard to restore the lighthouse.

In 2012, the Historical Society got permission to turn the light back on. A new LED marine light was installed. On May 4, 2013, the Crisp Point Light was reactivated. It has been shining seasonally ever since, helping guide boats on Lake Superior.

Crisp Point Today

Views from the lighthouse tower deck looking west (top) and east (bottom)

Today, Crisp Point Light is a place of renewal. The Crisp Point Light Historical Society and other groups continue to work on it. The lighthouse was once on a "Doomsday List" of endangered sites. Now, it has been returned to excellent condition.

A service building that was destroyed has been rebuilt. There is also a visitor center near the parking lot. This center has restrooms, a small shop, and a museum. A fourth-order Fresnel lens is on display for visitors to see.

In 2016, the outside of the tower was restored. All the old paint was removed, and the brickwork was repaired. Then, the tower was repainted white. This work was possible thanks to money raised by the Historical Society and a grant. More stone has been added to protect the shoreline from erosion. The society plans to continue improving the site.

See also

• Graveyard of the Great Lakes
• Lighthouses in the United States
• List of lifesaving stations in Michigan

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