Marquette Harbor Light facts for kids
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| Location | Marquette Harbor, Marquette, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 46°32′48.08″N 87°22′33.76″W / 46.5466889°N 87.3760444°W |
| Year first constructed | 1852 |
| Year first lit | 1853 |
| Foundation | Dressed stone/timber |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Square |
| Markings / pattern | Red with white lantern |
| Height | 40 feet (12 m) |
| Focal height | 77 feet (23 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel (original), Westinghouse DCB-36 Aerobeacon (current) |
| Intensity | 703,000 candlepower |
| Range | 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s |
The Marquette Harbor Light is a historic lighthouse located on Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan. This area is part of the Upper Peninsula. The lighthouse is still active today, helping ships find their way safely.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
To help ships reach the ore docks, money was set aside in 1850 to build the Marquette Harbor Light. Construction started in 1852, and the light first shone in June 1853. However, the first building wore out quickly. So, in 1865, more money was approved for a new tower.
Building the Breakwater
In 1875, the Army Corps of Engineers built a long wall, about 2,000 feet (610 m) long, called a breakwater. This wall helped to protect Marquette Harbor from strong winds and waves. A powerful storm destroyed the original light in 1889. The new light now sits on a concrete base at the very end of this breakwater wall.
Early Lighting and Upgrades
The first lighthouse used seven special Lewis lamps. It also had a small house, about 24 by 30 feet (7.3 by 9.1 m), built from similar materials. In 1853, the United States Lighthouse Board was created. They made a big improvement by adding a French Fresnel lens in 1856. This new lens was much stronger and could be seen up to 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) away.
Because of the weather on Lake Superior, a foghorn was very important. It helped guide ships when it was foggy. In July 1899, the lighthouse was updated to use electricity.
The Current Light and Tower Design
The light used today is a DCB-36 Aerobeacon. This type of light is very powerful and effective. It is also a special piece of history from a past era of lighthouse technology.
The building of the current lighthouse started in 1865. The house part of the lighthouse has one and a half stories. Its design is similar to other lighthouses in the area, like those on Granite Island and Huron Island. Inside, there are spiral stairs made of cast-iron that go from the first floor up to the top of the tower.
At the top, a ten-sided lantern was put in place. A new fixed white Fourth Order Fresnel lens was installed. This lens could be seen over a 190-degree area. The light shines from 70 feet (21 m) above the lake. It could be seen for 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) on clear days. A second story was added to the house in 1910.
The tower is connected to the house where the lighthouse keeper used to live. This style is sometimes called a "schoolhouse" design.
Fog Signals and Staffing
The area once had three different fog signals. The loudest one was in a special building, and two others were on the breakwater. Each one made a unique sound.
Working at this lighthouse was considered difficult. By 1882, after 29 years, ten different keepers had either left their jobs or were removed.
Coast Guard and World War II
In 1891, a U.S. Life-Saving Service station opened on the lighthouse grounds. This service helped rescue people from shipwrecks. In 1915, it became part of the U.S. Coast Guard. Later, in 1939, the U.S. Lighthouse Service also joined the Coast Guard. This meant all parts of the lighthouse property were under the same control.
During World War II, the site became a training station for the U.S. Coast Guard. Up to 300 new recruits lived in the buildings there. The Coast Guard station next to the lighthouse is still active today.
The original 4th order Fresnel lens was moved to the Marquette Breakwater Outer Light in 1908. You can now see it on display at the museum.
Current Status
In April 1983, the Coast Guard took down the fog signal building. Only its foundation remains today.
The Marquette Harbor Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It was also listed on the state's historical inventory in 1969.
In 2002, the Marquette Maritime Museum signed a 30-year agreement to take care of the lighthouse. The museum is responsible for its upkeep and offers tours. On the lighthouse's 150th anniversary in July 2016, the Coast Guard officially gave ownership of the lighthouse to the City of Marquette.
Today, the lighthouse is open for tours through the Marquette Maritime Museum. Tours happen every day except Monday. You can take a tour at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm. Tours are available from mid-May through mid-October.
See also
- Lighthouses in the United States
