St. Helena Island Light facts for kids
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| Undated USCG photo | |
 St Helena Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | St. Helena Island, Moran Township, Mackinac County, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 45°51′18″N 84°51′48″W / 45.85500°N 84.86333°W |
| Year first constructed | 1873 |
| Year first lit | 1873 |
| Automated | 1922 |
| Foundation | limestone |
| Construction | brick |
| Tower shape | frustum of a cone with attached cottage |
| Markings / pattern | white w/white lantern |
| Height | 63 feet (19 m) |
| Focal height | 71 feet (22 m) |
| Original lens | 31⁄2-order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | 12-inch (300 mm) ML-300 Tideland Signal acrylic |
| Range | 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 6s |
| ARLHS number | USA-794 |
| USCG number | 7-17720 |
The St Helena Light is a historic lighthouse located on St. Helena Island in Michigan. It's the only old building left on the island. This lighthouse was built a long time ago, in 1872-1873, and started working in September 1873. It helped guide ships safely through the Straits of Mackinac, especially around a dangerous shallow area called a shoal near the island.
Contents
History of the St. Helena Light
Building the Lighthouse
St. Helena Island is about 240 acres big. It is located near Gros Cap, Michigan, which is about 10 miles west of Mackinac Island. The island has a natural harbor on its north side. This harbor was a safe place for Native Americans and voyageurs to hide from strong storms. These storms came from the southwest and built up strength across the long Lake Michigan.
During the time of the Civil War, people realized that a shallow area (a shoal) near St. Helena Island was a big danger for ships. The United States Lighthouse Board asked for money to build a lighthouse. In 1872, Congress gave $14,000 for the project.
The lighthouse was built using limestone and brick. It was fitted with a special 3.5-order Fresnel lens. This type of lens was very advanced for its time. It helped make the light brighter and more focused.
The Lighthouse Keepers
The St. Helena Island Light became one of 14 lighthouses in the Straits of Mackinac. These lights helped ships avoid dangerous reefs and shallow spots. From 1873 until 1922, the lighthouse was staffed by one or two lighthouse keepers. These keepers lived on the island and made sure the light was always working.
Other buildings were built around the lighthouse to help the keepers. These included their homes, a boat dock, and a boathouse.
Automation of the Light
In 1922, the St. Helena Light became the first lighthouse in Michigan to no longer need a human keeper. It was automated. This meant machines took over the work. The tower was given a tank of acetylene gas and a pilot light. It also got a "sun valve" invented by Nobel Prize winner Gustaf Dalén.
Here is how the sun valve worked: When the sun went down, the temperature would drop a little. This made the valve open, letting acetylene gas flow out. The gas would then light up from the pilot flame, and the lighthouse would shine all night. When the sun came up the next morning, the valve would close. This innovation was very successful. After 1922, many other lighthouses in Michigan were updated with sun valves.
Current Status of the Lighthouse
Today, the St. Helena Light is still an active aid for ships. It also helps teach people about maritime history. The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association manages the lighthouse. They have a 30-year lease. However, the Coast Guard still takes care of the light itself.
Restoration Efforts
After the lighthouse no longer had keepers and the fishing village on the island became empty, the buildings started to fall apart. People who didn't care about the history damaged the light tower and other structures. In 1980, the U.S. Coast Guard even thought about tearing down the lighthouse complex. They saw the old buildings as a danger. Luckily, they didn't have enough money to do it. However, in the early 1980s, the assistant keeper's home and the boathouse were torn down.
But the lighthouse was saved! The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA) took over the property in 1986. They started working to restore it with the help of Boy Scouts of America Troop 4 from Ann Arbor, Michigan. The restoration was a huge job. They had to remove about 900 cubic yards of trash and broken pieces.
As of 2008, the GLLKA planned to keep restoring the lighthouse complex. Their goal is to make it look like it did in 1900. They also hope to build a visitor center on the island for people visiting in yachts. This restoration work is similar to efforts at the nearby Round Island Light.
In 1997, the Coast Guard officially gave the lighthouse complex to the GLLKA. This was done under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The only condition was that the GLLKA must let the Coast Guard keep operating the light. A light still shines there today, using a modern acrylic lens. The original Fresnel lens is no longer there. In 2001, the Little Traverse Conservancy bought the rest of St. Helena Island, outside the lighthouse area.
The lighthouse restoration has won many awards. These include the Keep Michigan Beautiful Award and the Mid-West Living Hometown Pride Award. It also received the Take Pride in America Award and was recognized by President George H. W. Bush as a Point of Light.
The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it is recognized as an important historic site. It is also known as St. Helena Lighthouse and St. Helene Lighthouse.
Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, and St. Helena Island Light is one of 149 lighthouses in Michigan. Boy Scouts from Troop 4 still visit the island every year in mid-June to help with the ongoing renovations.
Viewing the Lighthouse
You can see the St. Helena Lighthouse from many places on the Michigan mainland. One good spot is a rest area on US 2 at Gros Cap, Michigan. This is about 6 miles west of St. Ignace, Michigan.
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association organizes work trips to the light every year. They also often arrange tours from Mackinaw City to the island. These tours are not easy for everyone because of the shallow water. You have to switch from the main tour boat to a smaller Inflatable boat. Then you climb onto the dock from the rubber boat.
The lighthouse is very pretty with its white color and unique shape. It is also close to Mackinac Island and the Mackinac Bridge. Because of this, many people like to take pictures of it.
The best way to see the light up close is by taking a private boat. If you don't have one, Shepler's Ferry Service in Mackinaw City offers lighthouse tours in the summer. Their "Westbound Tour" goes past St. Helena Island Light and even includes lunch. You can check their schedules and prices.
Another exciting, but more expensive, way to see the lights in the Straits is to charter a seaplane.
