DeTour Reef Light facts for kids
 |
|
 DeTour Reef Light
Location in Michigan
|
|
| Location | Lake Huron, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°56′56.12″N 83°54′10.98″W / 45.9489222°N 83.9030500°W |
| Year first lit | 1931 |
| Automated | 1974 |
| Foundation | Concrete Crib pier |
| Construction | Reinforced concrete and steel |
| Tower shape | Square tower, Integral White square superstructuredecahedron lantern |
| Markings / pattern | White with black trim & red roof |
| Height | Tower - 78 feet (24 m) |
| Focal height | 74 feet (23 m) |
| Original lens | 3½-order Fresnel Lens |
| Current lens | VRB-25 system |
| Range | W 16 nautical miles; 29 kilometres (18 mi), R 15 miles (24 km) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s (R sector) Red from 079.5° to 189.5°. |
| Fog signal | HORN: 2 every 60s |
| Racon | "D" (Delta)(– • •) |
| ARLHS number | USA-226 |
| USCG number | 7-12770 |
The DeTour Reef Light is a special lighthouse in Lake Huron, Michigan. It helps guide ships safely through the DeTour Passage. This passage is a busy waterway between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Drummond Island.
This lighthouse is very important. It marks the northern end of Lake Huron. Thousands of large freighter ships use this passage every year. They travel to and from Lake Superior. Many smaller boats also use this route. The lighthouse is often called the "gateway to Lake Superior." It stands in Lake Huron, about three miles (5 km) south of DeTour Village.
Contents
History of DeTour Reef Light
The DeTour Passage has a dangerous shallow area called DeTour Reef. Boats must carefully navigate past this spot. It is only about 23 feet (7 meters) deep.
A lighthouse was first built on shore at Point DeTour in 1847. Its job was to protect the DeTour Passage. In 1931, the lighthouse was moved offshore. It was placed right on DeTour Reef. This new lighthouse helps warn boats away from the shallow area. It also guides them through the channel.
The lighthouse and its concrete base are 83 feet (25 meters) tall. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built this lighthouse. They finished it in just 327 days. The project cost about $140,000. Some people describe its design as "Art Deco."
Sister Lighthouses
The DeTour Reef Light has a concrete base similar to other lighthouses. These include the Martin Reef Light and Poe Reef Light. The same team built all three lighthouses around the same time. The DeTour Reef Light is also very similar to the Fourteen Foot Shoal Light. Building them this way saved money and was very efficient.
Lighthouse Lenses Over Time
Lighthouses use special lenses to create their light. The DeTour Reef Light has used many different lenses. Each lens helped make the light brighter or changed its pattern.
- In 1848, the first light used oil lamps and reflectors.
- Later, in 1857 and 1870, different Fresnel lenses were installed. These lenses made the light stronger and more focused.
- In 1908, a rare 3½-order Fresnel lens was added. This lens flashed white light. It could be seen up to 30 miles (48 km) away. Only a few of these special lenses were used in the country. Many were on the Great Lakes.
- When the new lighthouse was built in 1931, this same lens was moved to it.
- In 1936, the light changed. It became white with a red section facing the land. This warned boats about specific areas.
- The old lens was removed in 1978. You can now see it at the DeTour Passage Historical Museum.
- Today, the lighthouse uses a modern VRB-25 system.
The DeTour Reef Light was part of a bigger plan. Michigan built 14 "reef" lights. These lights helped ships navigate around dangerous shallow areas.
The lighthouse also had a diaphone fog signal. This loud horn helped guide ships in foggy weather. The original fog signal is now back with the lighthouse group.
In 1909, a ship called the SS Russia sank near the lighthouse. This happened about 12 miles (19 km) away.
Saving the Lighthouse
Many lighthouses in the U.S. were no longer needed by the United States Coast Guard. In 1997, the DeTour Reef Lighthouse was one of them. It was "deemed excess."
In 1998, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Michigan's lighthouses as endangered. The DeTour Reef Light was a main example. This was the first time a lighthouse made this list. This helped a group called the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society (DRLPS).
How the Lighthouse Was Saved
The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society (DRLPS) was formed in 1998. It is a nonprofit group of volunteers. Their goal was to restore and save the lighthouse.
The Coast Guard slowly gave control of the lighthouse to the DRLPS. This happened as the DRLPS raised money and showed they could take care of it. They raised $1.2 million!
- In 1998, the DRLPS started taking care of the lighthouse. They began to fix it up.
- In 2000, they got a 20-year lease for the lighthouse.
- Also in 2000, a new law helped. It allowed private groups to own lighthouses. The DRLPS applied to take over the lighthouse completely.
- By 2004, the DRLPS finished a big restoration project. They used donations and grants.
- In 2005, because of their hard work, the DRLPS was given full ownership of the DeTour Reef Light.
The DeTour Reef Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in March 2005. It is listed as the "DeTour Reef Light Station."
Michigan has over 150 important "lights." About 40 lighthouses in Michigan have been transferred to private groups.
Visiting the Lighthouse
Since 2009, you can take public tours of this unique lighthouse. This was the first time in its 74-year history!
You can only reach the lighthouse by boat. The DRLPS offers boat trips and tours. There is a fee for the tours. This fee helps cover the costs of keeping the lighthouse running.
You can even stay overnight in the lightkeeper's quarters! A small number of people who donate can do this. The rooms look like they did in 1956. That was the last year a keeper lived there full-time. Guests are asked to help with some lightkeeping chores during their stay.
Lighthouse Treasures
The DeTour Reef Light's old 3½-order Fresnel lens was removed in 1978. You can see it at the DeTour Passage Historical Museum in DeTour, Michigan. The lighthouse's old diaphone foghorn is also back with the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society. It is currently on display at the Drummond Island Historical Museum.
