Eagle River Light facts for kids
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 Eagle River Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Eagle River |
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| Coordinates | 47°24′49.3″N 88°17′53.8″W / 47.413694°N 88.298278°W |
| Deactivated | 1908 |
| ARLHS number | USA-257 |
The Eagle River Light is an old lighthouse located at the mouth of the Eagle River. It is in the small town of Eagle River on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the state of Michigan. This lighthouse is no longer used today.
Contents
Why Was the Eagle River Light Built?
In 1845, a lot of copper was found at a place called the "Cliff Lode." This discovery made Eagle River a very busy port town. It became as important as Copper Harbor in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Building the Lighthouse: A Long Process
On September 28, 1850, the United States Congress decided to spend $6,500 to build a lighthouse here. They chose a spot that same year. But it took until 1853 for the state of Michigan to officially own the land. The lighthouse was finally finished in 1857.
The lighthouse was built on a sandy cliff overlooking Lake Superior. It was on the west side of the river. The tower itself was only 24 feet (about 7 meters) tall. However, because it was on a high bluff, its light could be seen for ten nautical miles (about 11.5 miles or 18.5 kilometers). This light came from a special lens called a Fresnel lens.
Challenges and Changes for the Lighthouse
By 1867, people noticed cracks at the bottom of the lighthouse building. They worried the whole structure might fall apart. In 1869, Congress set aside $14,000 to build a new one. But they took the money back in 1870 because the government had less money than expected.
The Decline of Copper Mining
After a while, the copper in the Keweenaw area started to run out. The main copper mine, the Cliff Mine, closed in 1873. This caused the Eagle River port to become very quiet. Even though the harbor was not used much anymore, the lighthouse still helped guide ships. It was the only marker along the shore between the Keweenaw Waterway and Eagle Harbor.
When the Light Went Out
The lighthouse was fixed up in 1884. By 1892, people thought the Eagle River Light should be turned off. They suggested building a new lighthouse a few miles east at Five Mile Point. In 1893, Congress agreed to build the Sand Hills Lighthouse. However, they did not provide any money for it.
This situation continued for many years. The Eagle River Light Station was finally turned off in 1908. Its buildings were sold that same year. The new Sand Hills Lighthouse was not built until 1917. By then, at least ten ships had crashed on the nearby Sawtooth Reef.
Who Owns the Eagle River Light Today?
The Eagle River Lighthouse is now owned by a private person named Edward “Bud” Cole. He is a person who works to save historic buildings. His family has lived in the Keweenaw area since the 1850s.
Mr. Cole also owns several other important old buildings in Eagle River. He owns over 800 acres of land along the Eagle River. Two miles of the river run through his property. In March 2019, he also bought the Sand Hills Lighthouse.
The Eagle River Lighthouse is available for people to rent for vacations.
Images for kids
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A view of the Eagle River Light.
