Forty Mile Point Light facts for kids

The Forty Mile Point Light is a historic lighthouse located in Presque Isle County, Michigan in the United States. It stands proudly near Hammond Bay on the western shore of Lake Huron. This lighthouse is special because it helped sailors navigate a long stretch of coastline that used to be dark. It got its name because it is about 40 miles by boat from Old Mackinac Point Light.

The Forty Mile Point Light is also part of the U.S. Coast Guard District No. 9.

History of the Forty Mile Point Light

Vintage image of the station

For many years, there was a gap in the lights along the Michigan coastline of Lake Huron. While other lighthouses like the New Presque Isle Light and Spectacle Reef Lighthouse helped guide ships, there was still a 10-mile section where sailors had to navigate without a light. This made sailing dangerous, especially at night or in bad weather.

Why the Lighthouse Was Built

In 1890, lighthouse officials asked for money to build a new light and fog signal at Forty Mile Point. This spot was chosen because it was right in the middle of the unlit area between the two existing lighthouses. It took five years for the United States Congress to approve the money needed for the project.

Building the Lighthouse

Construction of the Forty Mile Point Light began in 1896. The lighthouse was built with strong red bricks. Its foundation rests on wood pilings, which are like sturdy wooden poles driven into the ground. The main building is 35 feet by 57 feet and has thick walls made of several layers of brick.

The lighthouse tower itself is square, measuring 12 feet on each side, and stands 52 feet tall. The building was designed with two identical apartments inside. One was for the main lighthouse keeper, and the other was for the assistant keeper.

When the Light First Shone

The lighthouse was finished in November 1896. However, ships don't usually travel on the Great Lakes during the winter because of ice. So, the Forty Mile Point Light was first lit on April 1, 1897, when shipping season began.

In 1969, the lighthouse became "automated." This means that machines took over the job of lighting and maintaining the light, so a keeper no longer needed to live there. The light still works today, shining white with a black top.

The Lighthouse Lens

The original light inside the tower was a special Fresnel lens (pronounced "Fray-nel"). This type of lens was invented in France and is very good at making a bright, focused beam of light. The first lens at Forty Mile Point had six "bulls-eye" panels and rotated to create a white flash every ten seconds.

Later, in 1919, this original lens was moved to another lighthouse. A new lens was put in its place. This second lens was unique because it was made from parts of at least three different lenses. It was a fixed lens, meaning it didn't rotate itself. Instead, an internal shield moved to create a light pattern of 15 seconds on and 15 seconds off. Today, the light flashes for 3 seconds on and 3 seconds off. This lens is the last working classic lens of its kind on Lake Huron.

Visiting Forty Mile Point Light Today

The Forty Mile Point Light is now a county park, which means it's open for everyone to visit. It's located about 6 miles north of Rogers City, right off US 23.

Shipwrecks and History Markers

Lake Huron has seen many powerful storms, earning it the nickname "Graveyard of Ships." In 1905, a huge storm known as the "Big Blow" caused 27 wooden ships to sink. One of these ships, the steamer Joseph S. Fay, ran aground near the lighthouse. You can still see a part of its hull on the beach, about 200 feet north of the lighthouse.

There's a special historical marker at the site that tells the story of the Forty Mile Point Lighthouse and the "Graveyard of Ships." It reminds visitors about the dangers of Lake Huron and the many shipwrecks that have happened there.

Things to Do at the Park

The lighthouse park is also the starting point for the Huron Sunrise Trail. This is a 7-mile bike path that runs along US 23, passing by Hoeft State Park and leading all the way to Rogers City. It's a great way to explore the beautiful coastline.

The lighthouse itself is owned by Presque Isle County. The museum and gift shop are run by a group called the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society. The park grounds are open every day from 8:00 AM until sundown. You can take tours of the lighthouse from the Friday before Memorial Day through mid-October, usually from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can find more information by contacting the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society.

What You Can See at the Site

Foghorn signal building

When you visit, you'll see many of the original buildings that were part of the lighthouse station. These include:

• The lighthouse tower
• The keeper's quarters (where the lighthouse keepers lived)
• A barn, which has been renovated and now serves as the gift shop
• The foghorn signal building (though the actual foghorn has been removed)
• An oil house, where the oil for the light was stored
• An old brick outhouse

You can also see the wheelhouse from the first Calcite freighter, a type of ship that carried limestone.

One of the most exciting things to see is the original fourth-order Fresnel lens still in place and working! You can go up into the tower to get a close look at it and enjoy the views of Lake Huron. This Fresnel lens is one of only about 70 still working in the United States, and one of the few remaining on the Great Lakes.

The lighthouse also hosts many events throughout the year. Half of the lighthouse building is now a museum, where you can learn even more about its history.

Access

• U.S. Route 23
• Huron Sunrise Trail

See also

• Lighthouses in the United States