 The Manistee River has a long history of light signals. As the port became busier it went from 1870 land based wood keeper’s quarters with a light tower at one end with smaller pier lights and later a fog signal to an extended piers with a three light system. The 1870 light burnt the same year and was rebuilt in 1871. As the piers went further into Lake Michigan, in 1875, the south pier light was built. In 1894 , the lighthouse was reestablished and a 5th order Fresnel lens installed. The south pier light was moved to the north pier and a wooden catwalk was added. More changes occurred as the trade of wood products increased. In 1927, the current steel clad conical black and white tower which stands 39’ and fitted with a 10 sided lantern room and optic light was built. A catwalk was built of steel and wire to aid the keeper’s access to the second floor in bad weather. ( one of 5 catwalks still in existence on Lk. Mi.)
The Coast Guard deeded the light to the Manistee City Historical Society, in 2011, to restore and maintain the light. The light is on the end of the north pier head on the shore in Manistee, Mi. and easily accessed. by car. The light can be viewed up close on calm days by walking out on the pier from a nearby public beach. Curious point: the windows on the door of the pier light are actually painted and not real windows. For a more detailed and interesting history go to www.lighthousefriends.com/manisteelighthouse Prints and cards available on the website or in the Gallery.
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I could not resist painting “Wash Day” on Menagerie Island. We forget that the families that lived in the lights had to wash clothes and tend to every day chores. This backyard was a little different than most. The light was built in 1875 of native sandstone, the tower was 61’ tall with a 4th order Fresnel Len attached to a two story house by a 12’ long entry way. John Malone, a bachelor was made head keeper, but he was single and told to find a bride. He did find a 19 year old young lady and they married and had 12 children during their stay. The family could only raise radishes and lettuce on the island, but had a garden on nearby Wright Island. Records show that seagull eggs played an important part of their diet totaling almost 1,500 a year. The keepers and assistants stayed on the island May-November. They wintered in Duluth, MN. The island was automated in 1913. For more information go to www.lighthousefriends.com   Due to increased shipments of lumber from the port, the river mouth was widen and a light to mark it’s entrance was needed. The Cheboygan Crib Light’s 4th order Fresnel lens was lit in November 1884 at the entrance to the Cheboygan River. The tower is 33’ tall and the light could be seen 13 miles out into Lake Huron. In 1897, an assistant keeper was added to the Cheboygan River range lights and the two keepers were responsible for the assistant who stayed at the Crib at night in a small 2 room dwelling built for him.
In 1910, a 1200 pound fog bell was hung from a skeletal tower on the northwest corner. The bell weight had to be wound every 2 1/2 hours so the Stryker toll the bell at ten second intervals. The light was automated in the 1920. The crib and tower developed a definite lean. It was decided to remove the crib light to the foot of the pier in a lovely city park. The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keeper’s Association, in 2001, provided the labor and the City the materials to restore the Crib light to a sparkling white with red trim. This light is very accessible by car. Take time to enjoy the park and then visit the range lights nearby.  Passage Island Light was first lit it’s 4th order Fresnel lens in July 1882. The light marked a critical point for vessel traffic headed in and out of the Thunder Bay Area. The octagonal tower stands 44’ tall and is an integral part of the house. The tower and the house are built of rough stone in a Norman Gothic style similar to White River lighthouse. The house is only 60’ above lake level and Lake Superior storms have sometimes washed over the lighthouse breaking windows and washing away anything left outside.
With the installation of the steam whistle, which set a record for running 902 hours and consuming 50 tons of coal in 1907, extra keeper’s were needed. 3 keeper’s and the head keeper’s family lived in the 7 room house. The light was automated and station closed in 1978. It is the only light station on Lake Superior that could boost a helicopter pad. The title to the light was transferred by the Coast Guard to the National Park Service in 1996. The public may see the light on a tour ferry from Rock Harbor, Isle Royale, Mi. Prints and cards are available. For more detailed information go to www.lighthousefriends.com/passageislandlighthouse |
AuthorMichigan Artist, Anita Saviko, Her goal is to research the histories and paint all Michigan lighthouses/range lights past and present, a total of spprox. 150 lights. Categories
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Michigan Lighthouse Art Gallery -- 107 S Putnam St. Suite #210 Upstairs Keller’s Plaza Williamston, MI 48895
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