Point Betsie Light facts for kids
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| Point Betsie Lighthouse | |
 Point Betsie Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | North of Frankfort, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 44°41′29″N 86°15′19″W / 44.6913°N 86.2552°W |
| Year first constructed | 1858 |
| Year first lit | 1859 |
| Automated | April 1983 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Cream City brick |
| Tower shape | Cylindrical |
| Markings / pattern | White tower/Red roof |
| Height | 37 feet (11 m) |
| Focal height | 52 feet (16 m) |
| Original lens | 4th order Fresnel Lens |
| Current lens | VRB-25 |
| Range | 26 kilometres (16 mi) |
| ARLHS number | USA-616 |
| USCG number | 7-18370 |
Point Betsie Light is a famous lighthouse on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan. It stands proudly north of Frankfort in Benzie County, Michigan. This important light helps guide ships through the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage. Building the lighthouse started in 1854 and finished in 1858. It began helping ships in 1859. The lighthouse cost about $5,000 to build back then. Later, in 1875, a special station was added nearby to help save lives, costing $3,000.
Contents
History of Point Betsie Light
The Point Betsie Light first used a special lens called a Fourth Order Fresnel lens. This type of lens was very good at making a bright, focused beam of light. In 1880, it was upgraded to an even better Third Order Fresnel lens. This new lens was so powerful it could be seen from about 27.5 miles away. This was also because the light was placed high up, about 52.5 feet above the water.
The original Fresnel lens was taken out in 1996. For many years, it was kept at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Now, it has been brought back to the lighthouse. Visitors can see this amazing piece of engineering and art up close inside the lighthouse.
Lighthouse Design and Keepers
The lighthouse tower is round and about 39 feet tall. It sits on top of a sand dune, making it even taller. The tower is connected to the house where the lighthouse keepers lived. This house was later updated with a nice gambrel roof, which has two slopes on each side.
Point Betsie was one of the first Life-Saving Stations. These stations were set up to rescue people from shipwrecks. Over time, the groups in charge of lighthouses and life-saving changed. In 1910, the U.S. Lighthouse Service took over. Then, in 1939, both services became part of the U.S. Coast Guard.
For 106 years, people called 'wickies' (lighthouse keepers) lived and worked at Point Betsie. They kept the light burning and helped ships. In 1983, the lighthouse became automated, meaning machines took over the work. Point Betsie was the last lighthouse on Lake Michigan to have a human keeper. Today, the light uses a modern Vega VRB-25 system. This new light can be seen from 15 to 22 miles away.
Buildings at the Site
Besides the lighthouse, there is also a building for the fog signal and an oil house. The oil house stored the fuel for the light. Most of the old buildings from the life-saving station are gone now. Some of the old living quarters were turned into private homes nearby. For example, an old horse barn is now part of a seasonal cottage. A large building that housed life-saving workers in the 1920s is also still there. A new building opened in 2014. It has a gift shop, public restrooms, and a place to display old items from the lighthouse.
Fog Signals and Technology
Fog signals are very important at Point Betsie. They help ships find their way when it's foggy. In 1912, the fog signal building was rebuilt. The old whistles were replaced with new, louder chime whistles. The light itself was also improved with a brighter oil vapor system.
In 1921, the lighthouse got electricity. An electric light bulb was installed, and the fog signal was upgraded to powerful "diaphones." These new signals were run by electric air compressors. The diaphones made the sound travel twice as far. They also had a big advantage: they could start working right away, unlike the old steam engines that needed time to build pressure. In 1922, the fog signal's pattern changed to two blasts every 30 seconds. Sadly, the original fog horn equipment was sold off in the 1970s and is no longer at the site.
Nature Around Point Betsie
The lighthouse is located at Point Betsie, Michigan. This area is special because it has a unique natural environment. It's a coastal dune area with special plants and animals. Some rare plants found here include Pitcher's Thistle, Lake Huron Locust, and fascicled broomrape.
Current Status and Visiting Point Betsie
In 2004, the Point Betsie Light Station was given to Benzie County. This happened under a law called the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. A group called "Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse" has done a lot of work to restore and fix up the lighthouse. For example, the lighthouse has been repainted to its original colors from the 1940s. You can visit the site for tours during certain times of the year.
Point Betsie is known as one of America's most photographed lighthouses. It is also the most visited place in Benzie County. Because it looks so beautiful and is in such a great spot, many people take pictures and draw it. You can even find needlepoint pictures of it!
The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. This means it is an important historical site. Its special reference number is 84001375.
Images for kids
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North side view of the lighthouse
