North Manitou Shoal Light Station facts for kids
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 North Manitou Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Southeast of North Manitou Island in Leland Township, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 45°1′12″N 85°57′24″W / 45.02000°N 85.95667°W |
| Year first constructed | 1935 |
| Year first lit | 1935 |
| Automated | 1980 |
| Foundation | Concrete crib |
| Construction | Steel |
| Tower shape | Square on square house |
| Markings / pattern | White |
| Height | 63 feet (19 m) |
| Focal height | 79 feet (24 m) |
| Original lens | Westinghouse Airway Beacon |
| Current lens | DCB-24 |
| ARLHS number | USA-554 |
The North Manitou Shoal Light is a lighthouse in Lake Michigan. People also call it the North Manitou Light or just The Crib. It's located southeast of North Manitou Island in Leland Township, Michigan. In 1980, it became the last lighthouse in the Great Lakes to be automated, meaning no one lived there anymore. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 because of its historical importance.
Contents
History of the North Manitou Light
Back in 1907, the Lighthouse Board decided that the shallow area (called a shoal) north of North Manitou Island needed a special boat with a light, called a lightship. This lightship would warn other boats about the danger.
Early Lightships
In 1910, Lightship No. 56 was placed at the shoal. It stayed there until 1927. Then, Lightship No. 89 took its place. In 1934, another lightship, Lightship No. 103, moved to the spot. It stayed until the permanent lighthouse was built the next year.
Building the Lighthouse
The Lighthouse Board first suggested building a permanent lighthouse in 1923. But they didn't get the money until 1933. The funds came from the Public Works Administration, a government program that created jobs during tough economic times.
In 1935, the permanent steel lighthouse was built on the shoal. It stood in about 26 feet of water. At first, three people lived and worked at the station. They kept the light shining and helped ships navigate.
Automation and Modern Light
In 1980, the lighthouse was automated. This meant machines took over the work, and no one needed to live there anymore. The original light, a Westinghouse Airway Beacon, was changed many times over the years. Today, the light is powered by solar panels and batteries. It uses a modern LED beacon.
Recent Restoration Efforts
In late 2016, the government put the lighthouse up for sale. A non-profit group called North Manitou Light Keepers, Inc. bought it. They are now working to completely restore the lighthouse to its original condition.
What the Lighthouse Looks Like
The North Manitou Shoal Light Station is a white steel structure. It sits on top of a large concrete base, called a crib. This crib is 65 feet wide on each side.
Structure Details
The crib supports a 62-foot square steel structure that rises 20 feet above the water. On top of this, there's a two-story steel building. This building is 37 feet square. It holds the diesel generators that used to power the light and the living areas for the crew.
A three-story steel tower sits on top of the building. This tower holds the actual light. The steel part of the lighthouse is 63 feet tall. The light itself shines from 79 feet above the water.
