Point Iroquois Light facts for kids
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| Point Iroquois Light (July 2018) | |
| Location | Whitefish Bay, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°29.021′N 84°37.541′W / 46.483683°N 84.625683°W |
| Year first lit | 1856 / 1870 |
| Automated | 1962 |
| Deactivated | 1971 |
| Foundation | Cement |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Frustum of a cone |
| Markings / pattern | White tower, black parapet and lantern |
| Height | 65 feet (20 m) |
| Focal height | 72 feet (22 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 13 nautical miles; 24 kilometres (15 mi) |
| Characteristic | flash every 30 seconds |
The Point Iroquois Light is a historic lighthouse in Michigan. It stands on a high cliff in Chippewa County. This lighthouse marks the spot where Whitefish Bay meets the western end of the St. Marys River. This river connects Lake Superior to the other Great Lakes.
The name "Point Iroquois" comes from a sad event in 1662. Iroquois warriors were defeated there by the Ojibwe people. The native Algonkians called this place "Nadouenigoning." This name means "Iroquois bone."
Contents
A Look at the Lighthouse's Past
In 1620, French explorers Étienne Brûlé and Grenoble were the first white people to visit this area. From then on, Point Iroquois became a well-known spot. French explorers, fur traders, and missionaries all passed by it. Sault Ste. Marie was the first European settlement in what is now Michigan.
Building the First Lighthouse
In 1853, the U.S. Congress decided to build a lighthouse at Point Iroquois. They set aside $5,000 for the project. This was around the same time the first Soo Locks were being built on the St. Mary's River.
The United States Lighthouse Board built the first lighthouse between 1855 and 1856. It was made of wood and stone. The light started working on June 18, 1856. This first lighthouse was 45 feet (14 m) tall. It had a special Fresnel lens that flashed white light. The light was 63 feet (19 m) above the water. It could be seen up to 10 nautical miles away. A home for the lighthouse keeper was also built.
However, by 1867, people were already questioning how well the lighthouse was built. Just eleven years after it opened, plans began for a new one. After the American Civil War, many new lighthouses were built on the Great Lakes.
The Second Lighthouse: A New Beginning
In 1870, the first lighthouse and its keeper's home were taken down. The second and current Point Iroquois Light was then built. This new lighthouse cost about $18,000.
The current lighthouse is a white brick building in the Cape Cod style. It worked continuously for 93 years. It helped guide ships safely through the Soo Locks. The tower is 65 feet (20 m) tall. Its light shines from about 68 or 72 feet (21 or 22 m) above the water. The new lighthouse and keeper's homes became important parts of the nearby town of Brimley, Michigan.
Lighthouse Buildings and Life
In 1885, a bell tower was added. It had a machine that automatically rang the bell. This bell tower was later removed in 1890. A new building was then built for fog signals, using loud steam whistles. In 1926, these were replaced by powerful diaphone fog horns.
In 1905, the keeper's building got a two-story addition. This provided space for another assistant keeper. At its busiest, the station had a Head Keeper and two Assistant Keepers. The children of the keepers and local fishermen even had their own school on the grounds for a while. Other buildings included a boat house, oil house, and barns.
When the Light Went Out
The Point Iroquois Light stopped working in 1962. A new, unmanned light called the Gros Cap Reefs Light took its place. This new light was a buoy-type beacon in the St. Marys River channel. It was operated by Canada.
In 1993, the lighthouse and keeper's quarters were fully restored. In 1975, the Point Iroquois Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is also recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site.
Point Iroquois Light Today
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The Point Iroquois Light is a very famous landmark. It has even been featured on souvenirs.
Today, the lighthouse and its land are part of the Hiawatha National Forest. The lighthouse now serves as a Marine Museum. The Bay Mills/Brimley Historical Research Society helps with its restoration. They also manage the site.
In 1963, the lighthouse's original lens was sent to the Smithsonian Institution. Another Fresnel lens, from the Martin Reef Light, is now on display inside the Lighthouse keeper's house.
The museum has one apartment decorated to show how lighthouse keepers lived. Other rooms teach about lighthouse technology and history. This lighthouse station was once home to three families. Volunteers now live in the double residence. They help with restoration work and give tours of the museum, gift shop, and tower.
- The tower and museum are open to visitors from Memorial Day until October 15. They are open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On weekends (Friday through Sunday), they reopen from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- To get there, take M-221 into Brimley, Michigan. Then turn left onto 6 Mile Road. The lighthouse is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) down this road.
More to Explore
- Comet (steamboat)
- Lighthouses in the United States
- Great Lakes Storm of 1913 and Shipwrecks of the 1913 Great Lakes storm
