Michigan City East Light facts for kids
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| Michigan City Lighthouse | |
 Michigan City East Light
Location in Indiana
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| Location | Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana |
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| Coordinates | 41°43′44.5″N 86°54′42″W / 41.729028°N 86.91167°W |
| Year first constructed | 1904 |
| Automated | 1960 |
| Foundation | concrete pier |
| Construction | steel brick |
| Tower shape | octagonal on fog signal building |
| Markings / pattern | white, lantern black; fog signal building roof red |
| Height | 49 feet (15 m) |
| Focal height | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Original lens | Fifth Order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | rotating 2130C |
| Characteristic | Fog horn (2 blasts every 30 s). |
| ARLHS number | USA-493 |
| USCG number | 7-19545 |
The Michigan City Breakwater lighthouse helps guide ships in the harbor of Michigan City, Indiana. It stands tall at the end of a pier, shining its light across Lake Michigan.
History of the Lighthouse
This lighthouse was built to replace an older one, the Old Michigan City Light. When the new pier was made longer, the light, lens, and lantern from the old lighthouse were moved to this new spot. This happened in 1904, making the Michigan City Breakwater Lighthouse the main guide for ships.
For over 170 years, Michigan City has had a lighthouse. Many people in Indiana might not know about it, but it's a very important part of the city. The mayor even gives out pins to show how special it is. He calls Lake Michigan "the city's crown jewel," meaning it's a very valuable and beautiful part of the area.
Unique Features
One special thing about this lighthouse is its iron walkway. This walkway goes along the top of the pier, leading to the lighthouse itself. It's one of only a few lighthouses on the Great Lakes that still has this kind of walkway. Other lighthouses with similar walkways include the Manistee Pierhead lights and the Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Light.
Future of the Lighthouse
In May 2007, the United States Coast Guard decided that this lighthouse was no longer needed for navigation. They offered it to groups like government agencies or non-profit organizations for free. This was done under a law called the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Michigan City showed interest in taking ownership of the lighthouse to protect its history.
This lighthouse is one of about a dozen lighthouses that have existed in Indiana. The old 1858 lighthouse, which this one replaced, is now a museum. You can visit it near the park entrance every day except Mondays, from 1 to 4 p.m.
