South Manitou Island Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | South Manitou Island, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°00′27.654″N 86°05′37.62″W / 45.00768167°N 86.0937833°W |
| Year first constructed | 1840 |
| Year first lit | 1840 |
| Deactivated | 1958 |
| Foundation | Oak pilings, cut limestone |
| Construction | Brick and masonry, Italianate bracketing |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Markings / pattern | white w/black trim and lantern |
| Height | 65 feet (20 m) |
| Focal height | 104 feet (32 m) |
| Original lens | Third order Fresnel lens |
The South Manitou Island Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. The island is about 16 miles west of Leland, Michigan. It stands as a guide for ships traveling through the Great Lakes.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
The lighthouse you see today is actually the third one built on the island. Over the years, new lighthouses were needed to make the light brighter and more reliable for sailors.
The First Two Lighthouses
The first lighthouse was built in 1839 and its light was first lit in 1840. It was a one-and-a-half-story building with the light in a small room on the roof called a cupola. This light used a special kind of lamp called a Lewis lamp. Later, it was upgraded with a fourth-order Fresnel lens, which used glass rings to make the light much stronger.
By 1858, the first building was worn out and had to be completely rebuilt. This second lighthouse served for many years, but as ships got bigger and faster, an even better light was needed.
The Lighthouse Today
The current lighthouse was built in 1872. It is a tall, white tower that is 104 feet high. Its powerful third-order Fresnel lens could be seen from far away, guiding ships safely.
Today, the lighthouse is no longer used to guide ships and was turned off in 1958. It is now part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and is managed by the National Park Service. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it is an important part of American history.
A Beacon of Hope
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An old photo of the lighthouse from the U.S. Coast Guard.
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The lighthouse stands guard over the Manitou Passage. This channel of water was a shortcut for ships traveling between Chicago and the Straits of Mackinac. It was safer than the open lake, and about 1,000 ships used it every day long ago.
Even though the passage was safer, it could still be dangerous during storms. Imagine being on a boat tossed by huge waves in the dark. A guide once said that for those sailors, seeing the lighthouse's beam would have been an amazing sight. The tall, white tower with its bright light would have looked "just like an angel," bringing a feeling of safety.
Life at the lighthouse could also be dangerous. In 1878, the keeper, Aaron Sheridan, and his family were lost in a boating accident near the island. This shows how challenging life was for the people who kept the lights shining.
Visiting the Lighthouse
For many years, the lighthouse was closed and needed repairs. A group called the Manitou Island Memorial Society helped raise money to fix it up.
In 2008, the National Park Service restored the tower. They installed a copy of the original Fresnel lens. In May 2009, the light was turned back on! Now, the lighthouse is lit from May to November each year. Visitors can climb the tower's spiral staircase and enjoy the amazing view from the top.
See also
- Lighthouses in the United States
