New Presque Isle Light facts for kids
| Location | 4500 Grand Lake Road Presque Isle County |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°21′23.5″N 83°29′32.4″W / 45.356528°N 83.492333°W |
| Year first constructed | 1870 |
| Year first lit | 1870 |
| Automated | 1970 |
| Construction | brick, Italianate bracketing |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Markings / pattern | white w/dwelling attached |
| Height | 113 ft (34 m) |
| Focal height | 123 ft (37 m) |
| Original lens | Third order Fresnel lens (original), Airport beacon (current) |
| Range | 22 nmi (41 km; 25 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 15s |
The New Presque Isle Light is a tall lighthouse built in 1870. It stands in Presque Isle, Michigan, right on a piece of land that sticks out into Lake Huron. This lighthouse is one of many in Michigan, which has more lighthouses than any other state! Sometimes, an older lighthouse needs to be replaced. That's why this one is called "New" – there was an Old Presque Isle Light nearby before it.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse
The plans for the New Presque Isle Light were drawn by a man named Orlando M. Poe. He was a Major in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also helped build other important lighthouses.
In the summer of 1870, a special ship called the Warrington arrived. This ship was a lighthouse tender. Tenders were smaller boats that brought workers, food, and building materials to lighthouses. They made sure the lighthouse keepers had everything they needed.
The New Presque Isle Light was finished in early summer of 1871. It was built with strong double walls. These walls helped the lighthouse stand firm against the strong winds and waves of Lake Huron. Inside, a spiral cast iron stairway with 138 steps led up to the very top. This design was so good that other lighthouses around the Great Lakes copied it!
A covered walkway connected the lighthouse tower to the keeper's house. This kept the lighthouse keepers safe and dry when they walked to the tower in bad weather. The house also had a cellar where they stored oil for the lamp and other supplies.
The Amazing Fresnel Lens
The lamp inside the lighthouse used a special Fresnel lens. This lens was six feet tall and made in Paris, France. A Frenchman named Augustin-Jean Fresnel invented it.
The Fresnel lens was a huge improvement for lighthouses. Before, lighthouses used simple flames or whale oil lamps. The Fresnel lens used many special rings of glass to bend light. This made the light much brighter and allowed it to shine much farther. Boats on the Lakes could see the intense light from many miles away. This was very helpful for ships caught in storms.
The Presque Isle light did not flash. It was a steady light, meaning it shone constantly. Some lighthouses had rotating parts that made their light flash. This helped sailors tell different lighthouses apart.
Life of a Lighthouse Keeper
The first keeper of the New Presque Isle Light was Patrick Garraty. His wife, Mary, helped him. Later, their son Thomas took over and worked there until 1935.
Being a lighthouse keeper was a lot of work! They had to keep the station very clean and tidy. The lens needed to be cleaned every day and polished regularly. Wicks for the lamp had to be trimmed daily. The tower itself needed sweeping and snow shoveling. All these chores had to be done before 10 AM, ready for the night's use. Many keepers also grew gardens to have fresh vegetables.
Inspectors from the Lighthouse Board would visit to make sure everything was in top shape. These visits were often a surprise! But sometimes, keepers would warn each other by telephone. Then, everyone would quickly clean up and put on their best clothes to look professional.
Lighthouse Upgrades
As more ships used Presque Isle Harbor, the lighthouse got some upgrades. In 1889, a loud steam fog signal was added. These horns helped boats find their way in fog or stormy weather when they couldn't see the light.
At first, it took a long time to get the steam fog signal ready. It could take 45 minutes to start the boiler and build up steam! This was dangerous for ships needing quick help. Later, compressed air was used instead of steam. This made the signal ready much faster.
In 1890, a long track called a tramway was built. This track helped workers move tons of coal to fuel the fog signal boilers. It also helped transport oil and other supplies from the dock. The dock itself was extended in 1897 because the lake levels were getting lower.
Running the fog signal and keeping the station clean was a lot of work for just one keeper. So, in 1905, a second house was built on the property for an assistant keeper.
In 1912, a new lighting system was installed. It used incandescent oil vapor. This system was brighter and needed less cleaning. It worked by turning kerosene into a vapor that burned very brightly. This is similar to how some camping lanterns work today!
In 1939, the Coast Guard took over control of the Presque Isle light. They added indoor plumbing and electricity. The old fog signal building was torn down because it was no longer needed. In 1970, the Coast Guard made the light automatic, meaning it no longer needed a keeper to operate it.
The Lighthouse Today
In the 1990s, extra bricks were added to the lighthouse. This made it a bit wider than it used to be.
Today, the New Presque Isle Lighthouse is part of Presque Isle Park. The county now manages the property. Its light can be seen for 22 nautical miles out in the water. It is known as one of the tallest lighthouses on the Great Lakes!
This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
See also
- Lighthouses in the United States
