Thunder Bay Island Light facts for kids
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| Thunder Bay Island Light' undated USCG | |
 Thunder Bay Island
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Alpena County, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 45°02′30″N 83°12′00″W / 45.04167°N 83.20000°W |
| Year first constructed | 1857 (station established 1831) |
| Year first lit | 1857 |
| Automated | 1983 |
| Foundation | Dressed stone and timber |
| Construction | Limestone |
| Tower shape | Frustum of a cone with attached keeper's residence |
| Markings / pattern | White with red lantern |
| Height | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Focal height | 63 feet (19 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 16 |
| Characteristic | FI G 10s |
| ARLHS number | USA-847 |
| USCG number | 7-11495 |
The Thunder Bay Island Light is a historic lighthouse located on the southeast tip of Thunder Bay Island in Michigan. It is one of the oldest lighthouses still working in Michigan. This important light helps guide ships safely through Lake Huron.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
The very first lighthouse on Thunder Bay Island was built in 1831. It was the third lighthouse to operate in Lake Huron. However, this first building quickly fell apart. Because of this, a new lighthouse was built in 1832 using local limestone.
Changes to the Tower
The 1830s light tower was originally 40 feet (about 12 meters) tall. In 1857, it was made 10 feet (about 3 meters) taller, reaching 50 feet (about 15 meters). The tower was also covered with brick. At this time, a special Fourth-order Fresnel lens was put in. This 1857 tower is the one you see today, though it has been changed more over time and is now 63 feet (about 19 meters) high.
Fog Signals and Keeper's House
To help ships in foggy weather, a fog bell was added in 1858. The house where the lighthouse keeper lived was rebuilt in 1868. Later, in 1871, a steam-powered fog horn was installed. A special building was constructed in 1892 to protect the fog signal equipment.
Lighthouse Keepers
From 1832 until 1983, the lighthouse was always staffed by people. These lighthouse keepers worked during the seasons when ships could travel on the Great Lakes. This means the lighthouse was manned for more than 150 years!
Current Status of the Lighthouse
The Thunder Bay Island Light became automated in 1983. This means it no longer needed people to operate it. Machines took over the work.
Historic Recognition
The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1984. This is a list of places in the United States that are important for their history. However, after it became automated, the lighthouse and its nearby buildings started to wear down.
Preservation Efforts
In 1997, the United States Coast Guard leased the Thunder Bay Island Light to a group called the Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society (TBILPS). This group works hard to save and restore the lighthouse. They have been featured in a magazine called Lighthouse Digest for their efforts.
In 2004, Stephen B. Tongue and the TBILPS group published a book. This book tells the history of Thunder Bay Island. The money made from the book helps with the historic preservation of the island.
- Stephen D. Tongue, "Lanterns & Lifeboats: A History of Thunder Bay Island" (Alpena, Mich.; Serge Publications, 2004).
