Fort Gratiot Light facts for kids
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| Location | Omar and Garfield Sts., Port Huron, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°0′22.7″N 82°25′20.9″W / 43.006306°N 82.422472°W |
| Year first constructed | 1825 |
| Year first lit | 1825 |
| Automated | 1933 |
| Foundation | Dressed stone and timber |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Frustum of a cone attached to workroom |
| Markings / pattern | White |
| Height | 85 feet (26 m) |
| Focal height | 82 feet (25 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens (original), DCB-224 Carlisle & Finch Aerobeacon (current) |
| Range | 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl green 6 seconds |
| Fog signal | Station will give available information on fog conditions in upper river by radiotelephone when requested, (156.80 MHz). Standby light of reduced intensity lighted throughout 24 hours. |
The Fort Gratiot Light was the very first lighthouse built in the state of Michigan. It was constructed in 1825 by Lucius Lyon, who later became one of Michigan's first U.S. Senators.
This important lighthouse stands north of Fort Gratiot, near Port Huron, Michigan. It helps guide ships entering the St. Clair River from Lake Huron. The light is still working today, making it the oldest active lighthouse in Michigan. The land around it is now managed by the Port Huron Museum, and there's a public beach called Lighthouse Beach for everyone to enjoy.
Contents
History of the Fort Gratiot Light
Why a Lighthouse Was Needed
After the Erie Canal was finished, more and more ships started traveling through the Great Lakes. This meant a lot more traffic, especially at the entrance to the St. Clair River. Ships carried coal from Michigan and timber from Wisconsin. This busy spot needed a lighthouse to keep ships safe. In 1823, the government decided to spend $3,500 to build a light near Fort Gratiot.
Building the First Tower
The job of building the lighthouse went to Captain Winslow Lewis. He was known for inventing the "Lewis lamp," which was used in many lighthouses back then. Captain Lewis hired Daniel Warren to do the actual building. The project cost more than expected, so Congress added another $5,000 in 1825 to finish it.
The first lighthouse tower was only 32 feet (9.8 m) tall. It turned out to be poorly built. The first lighthouse keeper, George McDougall, reported that the stairs were so steep he had to climb them sideways! The opening to the light room was also very small.
A New, Taller Lighthouse
In 1828, a big storm damaged the lighthouse, and it later fell down. Congress quickly approved $8,000 for a new, stronger tower in 1829. This new tower was 65 feet (20 m) tall and used the same Lewis lamp system, which burned whale oil.
Later, in 1852, a new group called the US Lighthouse Board realized that the Lewis lamps weren't as good as the newer French Fresnel lenses. These new lenses were much brighter. So, in 1857, the Lewis lamps were removed from Fort Gratiot. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed, making the light four times brighter!
In 1862, the lighthouse was made even taller, reaching 82 feet (25 m). A larger third-order Fresnel lens was put in place, showing a steady white light. The old fourth-order lens was moved to the Saginaw River Lighthouse.
Adding More Features
A building for a fog signal was added in 1900. This signal would help ships find their way in foggy weather. In 1932, a Coast Guard facility was built next to the lighthouse. The two facilities joined together in 1939.
Today, the lighthouse uses a modern DCB-224 aero beacon made by the Carlisle & Finch Company. This lighthouse is the oldest one in Michigan that is still helping ships navigate.
Current Status of the Lighthouse
The Fort Gratiot Light is a very important historical site. It is listed on the National Historic Register, which means it's recognized for its historical value. In 1971, the Michigan Historical Commission also named it a historic site.
In 2004, the Port Huron U.S. Coast Guard station moved into a new building right next to the lighthouse.
For a while, the Coast Guard closed the lighthouse to visitors in 2008 because the bricks were getting old and falling apart. It needed a lot of repairs. In 2010, the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation department took over the lighthouse and its grounds. They worked to fix it up. By the summer of 2012, they were able to offer guided tours of the lighthouse again!
Visiting the Lighthouse
The park around the lighthouse is open every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. You can visit the park grounds for free. If you want to take a tour of the lighthouse station and climb the tower, you can buy tickets at the gift shop. The lighthouse is located at 2800 Omar Street in Port Huron.
Even when the lighthouse grounds are closed, there's a city park just north of it. From there, you can get a great view of the lighthouse from the beach. If you're driving back to Port Huron from Canada over the Blue Water Bridge, you can see the lighthouse on your right side.
See also
- Point Gratiot Light
