Frankfort Light facts for kids
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| Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse. | |
 Frankfort Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Frankfort, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 44°37′50″N 86°15′08″W / 44.6306°N 86.2522°W |
| Year first lit | 1873 |
| Foundation | Two-story metal over breakwater |
| Construction | Steel clad frame |
| Tower shape | Pyramidal tower |
| Markings / pattern | White with Black markings, Parapet and Lantern |
| Height | 67 feet (20 m) |
| Focal height | 72 feet (22 m) |
| Original lens | 5th order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | 4th order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi) |
| ARLHS number | USA-308 |
| USCG number | 7-18375 |
The Frankfort Light is a special lighthouse in Frankfort, Michigan. It stands on the north breakwater, which is like a long wall built into the water to protect the harbor. This lighthouse helps boats find their way safely into the harbor. The light you see today was built in 1912. It's so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
Contents
History of the Frankfort Light
The story of Frankfort's harbor began in 1859 when the water was made deeper for ships. More improvements were started in 1867. By 1873, the piers, which are like long docks, were finished.
First Lighthouse (1873)
The very first Frankfort North Breakwater lighthouse was built in 1873. It was a pyramid-shaped beacon made of wood. It stood at the end of a long wooden pier. A raised walkway, called a catwalk, connected the lighthouse to the shore. The light was first turned on October 15, 1873. In 1893, a fog signal was added to help boats during foggy weather.
New Lighthouse and Relocation (1912-1932)
In 1912, a new lighthouse was built. It was a square tower made of steel and stood on the North Pier. The light was made electric in 1919, which was a big upgrade.
In the 1920s, workers started building new concrete breakwaters at the harbor entrance. These were finished by the early 1930s. Because of these new breakwaters, the older wooden piers were no longer needed. So, in 1932, the 1912 lighthouse was moved. It was taken from the north pier and placed at the very end of the new north breakwater. The original pyramid-style lighthouse was made taller by putting it on top of a new two-story base.
Ownership Change (2010)
In 2010, the United States Coast Guard decided they no longer needed the lighthouse. In 2011, the city of Frankfort took over ownership. This means the city now takes care of this historic landmark.
What the Frankfort Light Looks Like Today
The Frankfort Light stands at the end of the north breakwater. It is a square tower made of steel. The original part of the lighthouse from 1912 is about 44 feet (13 meters) tall. This part sits on top of a 25-foot (7.6-meter) tall square steel base.
Lantern Room and Lens
At the very top of the lighthouse is the cast iron lantern room. This is where the light shines from. It has a walkway around it called a gallery. When it was first built, the lantern room held a special kind of light called a fifth-order Fresnel lens. This lens helps make the light very bright and focused. Later, it was upgraded to an even better fourth-order Fresnel lens.
Other Features
Besides the main light, there are other important parts connected to the lighthouse. These include a radio beacon, which sends out radio signals to help ships navigate. There is also a United States Coast Guard station nearby, which helps keep the waters safe.
