Ludington Light facts for kids
The Ludington Light is a tall lighthouse, about 57 feet high, located in Ludington, Michigan. It stands on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, right at the end of a long structure called a breakwater. A breakwater is like a strong wall built out into the water to protect the harbor from big waves. Because it's on the northern breakwater where the Pere Marquette River meets Lake Michigan, some people also call it the Ludington North Breakwater Light. The base of the lighthouse is shaped like the front of a ship, which helps it cut through and break the waves.
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| Ludington Light | |
 Ludington Light
Location in Michigan
Ludington Light
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ludington, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 43°57′13.002″N 86°28′9.737″W / 43.95361167°N 86.46937139°W |
| Year first constructed | 1871 |
| Year first lit | 1871 |
| Automated | 1972 |
| Deactivated | N/A |
| Foundation | Pier |
| Construction | Steel / Reinforced concrete |
| Tower shape | Square Pyramidal |
| Markings / pattern | white with black lantern |
| Height | 57 feet (17 m) |
| Focal height | 55 feet (17 m) |
| Original lens | fifth order Fresnel Lens |
| Current lens | 12-inch (300 mm) Tideland Signal ML-300 Acrylic Optic |
| Intensity | 5000 candles |
| Range | 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) |
| Characteristic | Iso G 6s 55 |
| Fog signal | HORN: 2 blasts ev 30s (2s bl-2s si-2s bl-24s si). Operates from Apr. 1 to Oct. 1. |
| ARLHS number | USA-460 |
| USCG number | 7-18530 |
Contents
History of the Ludington Light
The Ludington Light station was first set up in 1871. However, the light you see today was first lit in 1924. It is still working and helping ships navigate the waters. In 1972, the lighthouse became "automated." This means that machines took over the job of turning the light on and off, so a lighthouse keeper no longer needed to live there.
How the Lighthouse is Built
The lighthouse is built right into the steel and strong concrete pier. It has a square shape that gets narrower towards the top, like a pyramid. The outside of the lighthouse is white, and the very top, where the light shines from, is black.
The Lighthouse Lens
Originally, the lighthouse used a special type of lens called a Fresnel lens. This lens was designed to make the light shine very brightly and far away. On October 17, 1995, the original Fresnel lens was removed. It was replaced with a newer, smaller acrylic optic lens. The old Fresnel lens was loaned to Historic White Pine Village, a local museum. There, you can see it as part of their exhibit on maritime history.
Fog Signals and Radio Beacons
The lighthouse also has a special building built into its tower for a fog signal. This signal makes a loud sound to warn ships when it's foggy and they can't see the light. It used to have a different type of signal, but now it uses a modern one. There is also a radio beacon at the lighthouse. This sends out radio signals that ships can pick up, helping them know their location even when visibility is poor.
Opening to the Public
For the first time ever, in 2006, the Ludington Breakwater Lighthouse opened its doors to the public. The United States Coast Guard, which used to own it, transferred ownership to the City of Ludington. This happened under a special law called the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
Today, the lighthouse is cared for by a group of volunteers called the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association. This amazing group helps maintain, restore, and operate not only the Ludington Light but also the Big Sable Point Lighthouse and the Little Sable Point Lighthouse.
During the summer, you can even take climbing tours inside the lighthouse. It's a great way to learn about its history and enjoy the views!
