Poe Reef Light facts for kids
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| The light in 2001 | |
 Poe Reef Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Lake Huron, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 45°41′42″N 84°21′42″W / 45.69500°N 84.36167°W |
| Year first constructed | 1929 |
| Year first lit | 1929 |
| Automated | 1974 |
| Foundation | Concrete crib |
| Construction | Concrete |
| Tower shape | Square |
| Markings / pattern | White & black daymark bands w/red roof on lanternConcrete |
| Height | 56 feet (17 m) |
| Focal height | 71 feet (22 m) |
| Original lens | Third order Fresnel Lens |
| Current lens | 14.8-inch (375 mm) Tideland Signal acrylic Optic |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Iso W 2s |
| Fog signal | HORN: 1 every 30s |
| Racon | "Z" (– – • •) |
| ARLHS number | USA-610 |
| USCG number | 7-11750 |
The Poe Reef Light is a lighthouse in Lake Huron, Michigan. It stands at the eastern end of the South Channel. This channel is located between Bois Blanc Island and the main part of Michigan. The lighthouse is about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Cheboygan, Michigan.
Poe Reef has always been a tricky spot for ships. Large ships heading west to Lake Michigan usually use the South Channel. This channel is about three nautical miles wide. However, Poe Reef is almost in the middle, and the water to its north is too shallow for big lake freighters.
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History of the Poe Reef Light
For many years, it was hard to mark the dangerous Poe Reef. People tried to place lightships there, but it was very difficult. Four different lightships were used starting in 1893. These were Lightships Nos. 62, 59, 96, and 99.
The Poe Reef Light was built as part of a larger effort. From 1870 to 1910, engineers started building lighthouses on isolated islands, reefs, and shoals. These spots were very dangerous for ships. Before these lighthouses, lightships were the only way to mark hazards. But lightships were risky for the sailors and hard to keep working. Also, strong storms could blow lightships off their spot. This made them unreliable when captains needed them most.
Building and Operating the Lighthouse
Poe Reef is one of several reefs that help guide ships through the South Channel. Another important light nearby is the Fourteen Foot Shoal Light. In 1926, the United States Lighthouse Service decided to build a permanent lighthouse at Poe Reef. The Poe Reef Light was finished in 1928.
The Poe Reef Light is one of 14 similar lighthouses in Michigan's waters. These lighthouses were built to help ships safely navigate the many shoals and dangers of the Great Lakes. It was also part of a big lighthouse building project in the Straits area in the late 1920s. The same team that built the Poe Reef Light also built the Martin Reef Light.
The Poe Reef lighthouse marks the north side of the South Channel. The Fourteen Foot Shoal Light marks the south side. In the past, most sailing ships used the channel north of Bois Blanc Island. But as steamboat traffic grew, more ships started using the South Channel.
The Poe Reef Light looks very similar to its "twin," the Martin Reef Light. The Martin Reef Light was built in 1927 by the same crew. The Poe lighthouse was first painted all white. This sometimes confused sailors because it looked too much like the Martin Reef Light. So, it was decided to paint the Poe Reef Light with contrasting bands of color.
The Poe Reef station was designed so that the crew there could also control the Fourteen Foot Shoal Light from a distance. Later, both lighthouses became fully automated, meaning they run by themselves. The Poe Reef diaphone fog horn is still used today.
In 2005, the Poe Reef Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historic site.
Orlando Poe's Legacy
The reef and the lighthouse are named after a famous lighthouse designer, Orlando M. Poe. He worked as an engineer for the Eleventh Lighthouse District for ten years. During this time, he designed eight lighthouses. These include the New Presque Isle Light (1870) on Lake Huron and the South Manitou Island Light (1872) on Lake Michigan. He also designed the Grosse Point Lighthouse (1873) in Evanston, Illinois, and the Au Sable Light (1874) on Lake Superior. Other lighthouses he designed are the Wind Point Light (1880) near Racine, Wisconsin, the Outer Island Light (1874) in the Apostle Islands, and the Little Sable Point Light (1874) on Lake Michigan. His last lighthouse was the Seul Choix Light near Manistique, Michigan, finished in 1895. Many people consider his greatest achievement to be the Spectacle Reef Light. Others believe his biggest success was the Poe Lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Visiting the Poe Reef Light
The closest land spot to the lighthouse is Cordwood Point. This is a private summer community east of Cheboygan. You can see the lighthouse from Lighthouse Point, which is near the old Cheboygan Main Light Station in Cheboygan State Park. You can get a picture from there, but it's about 3 miles (4.8 km) away. Another place to see the Poe Reef Light from land is Gordon Turner Park in Cheboygan, Michigan. This park is at the mouth of the Cheboygan River.
One way to see the lighthouse up close is by taking a private boat. However, the lighthouse and its base are closed to the public.
You can also view the Poe Light from the water on special lighthouse cruises. These are offered by Shepler's Ferry Service and go eastbound. People from the Great Lakes Lightkeepers Association provide information during the trip. A part of the money from these cruises helps their cause.
Another exciting way to see the Poe Reef Light is from the air. You can charter a seaplane to take a tour of the Mackinac Straits area.
Because it's in a somewhat remote spot, the Poe Reef Light is not as well-known as some other lighthouses. However, you can find an embroidered image of it.
Images for kids
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Martin Reef Light, Poe Reef Light's near twin
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