Sturgeon Point Light facts for kids
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| Sturgeon Point Light in September 2018 | |
 Sturgeon Point Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Haynes Township, Alcona County, Michigan, USA |
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| Coordinates | 44°42′45.7″N 83°16′21.8″W / 44.712694°N 83.272722°W |
| Year first constructed | 1869 |
| Year first lit | 1869 |
| Automated | 1939 |
| Foundation | Limestone |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Frustum of a cone |
| Markings / pattern | white daymark with red trim |
| Height | 71 feet (22 m) |
| Focal height | 69 feet (21 m) |
| Original lens | Sixth order Fresnel Lens |
| Current lens | 3½-order Fresnel Lens |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | flash every six seconds |
| ARLHS number | USA-823 |
| USCG number | 7-11345 |
The Sturgeon Point Light Station is a historic lighthouse on Lake Huron in Haynes Township, Michigan. It was built to warn sailors about a dangerous reef that stretches out into the lake. Today, it is a great example of a Cape Cod style lighthouse on the Great Lakes.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
The Sturgeon Point Light Station was built in 1869 by the United States Lighthouse Board. This group was very busy building lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Many ships were getting lost, so the Congress approved many new lights. In just 30 years, 70 new lights were built on the western Great Lakes!
Why This Location?
The lighthouse is located about halfway between Thunder Bay Island and the entrance to Saginaw Bay. This spot was chosen because of a very dangerous reef. This reef was a big risk for ships. Also, the area north of Sturgeon Point is a bay called "Sanctuary Bay." This bay offers a safe place for ships to hide from strong winds and waves.
Building the Light Station
The lighthouse is made of brick on a strong limestone base. The tower stands about 70 feet (21 meters) tall. The light shines from 69 feet (21 meters) above the water. This height helps sailors figure out their location. The house next to the lighthouse, where the keeper lived, was also built from brick. It was designed in the Cape Cod style.
The Lighthouse Lens
The Sturgeon Point Light first used a "sixth-order" Fresnel lens. This type of lens is very special and helps make the light brighter and more focused. Later, it was upgraded to an even more powerful "3½-order" lens. This kind of lens was rare, with only about a dozen used across the country. Most of these were on the Great Lakes.
The 3½-order Fresnel lens is still at Sturgeon Point today! It was still working as of 2012. This is one of only 70 such lenses still in use in the United States. Eight of these are in Michigan.
Life-Saving Service Station
In 1876, a United States Life-Saving Service station was built next to the lighthouse. This station was like a rescue team for sailors in trouble. The first lighthouse keeper even became the first captain of the rescue team! In 1915, this station became part of the United States Coast Guard.
Automation and Changes
In 1939, the United States Lighthouse Service also joined the U.S. Coast Guard. That same year, the Sturgeon Point Light was updated with electricity and became automated. This meant it could run on its own without a keeper. By 1941, the Coast Guard no longer needed people living at the station. The light, however, has remained an active guide for ships ever since.
Sadly, the bell from the life-saving station was stolen in 1951. It was returned anonymously in 2002! The building for the fog horn was torn down, but the old brick outhouse from 1869 is still there.
Restoration Efforts
The keeper's house became quite run down over time. But in 1982, the Alcona Historical Society took over. They started a three-year project to restore the lighthouse and its buildings.
Historical Importance
When the light station was built, the area was busy with fishing and timber shipping. Wood products were sent across Lake Huron from nearby towns. Later, farmers also shipped their goods. But by the early 1900s, the lighthouse mainly guided ships carrying minerals.
Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, with over 150! The Sturgeon Point Light is one of them.
The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, also known as the "Big Blow," was a terrible storm. Two ships that lost many crew members were thought to have sunk near Sturgeon Point. This shows how dangerous the Great Lakes can be.
Sturgeon Point Today
Today, the Sturgeon Point Light is part of the Sturgeon Point State Park. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources owns the property. The Alcona Historical Society manages the museum and helps keep the lighthouse running.
The Sturgeon Point Light was considered to mark the southern end of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This sanctuary protects historic shipwrecks. Many shipwrecks have been found near Sturgeon Point.
The United States Coast Guard still operates the light itself. But the property was given to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in 2005. The Alcona Historical Society runs a museum in the restored buildings. The Sturgeon Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
In 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard wanted to turn off the light forever. They even shut it off for a short time! But people fought back. Over 5,000 signatures were collected to "Save Our Light." Thanks to public pressure and help from Senator Debbie Stabenow, the light stayed on. Now, the Alcona County Historical Society helps pay for its operation. It shines from April 1st to November 1st each year.
The area around the lighthouse is beautiful. You can find sea grasses, goldenrod, Queen-Anne's lace, and wild strawberries. Many birds visit, like gulls, cormorants, killdeer, loons, and even bald eagles.
You can visit the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse & Maritime Museum at: Sturgeon Point Road Harrisville, MI 48740 (989) 724-5107
Activities at the Lighthouse and Museum
- The lighthouse is located inside Sturgeon Point State Park.
- The Alcona Historical Society takes care of the lighthouse and museum. They raise money to keep it running and are working to renovate and paint the lighthouse.
- You can climb the lighthouse tower during the summer for a small fee. The museum is also open to the public.
- On the grounds, you'll find the Old Bailey School. This is a One-room school house from 1907 that was moved here in 1998.
- A strawberry social is held at the Bailey School every year on the last Sunday of June. This event helps raise money for the Alcona Historical Society.
- The annual Sturgeon Point Light Station Sanctuary Bay sailboat race is another fundraiser. It happens on the first Saturday in August.
- Michigan is special because it has a program that gives grants to groups working to save lighthouses. Many volunteers are helping to restore these historic lights.
