 1834 Kalamazoo River Lighthouse was established on the the Kalamazoo River which flowed into Lake Michigan. This was the Saugatuck lighthouse. This first light was replace when the river bank eroded and a new two story light was erected atop of a dune a great distance from the river in 1859. It was a buff color with white trim. (This structure stood until it was ravaged by a tornado in April 1956 and only it’s 1859 date sign and a few beams were salvageable.)
In 1876, the light was transferred to a new frame structure at the end of the south pier. In 1878 the sand hill it sat on was covered with logs and rocks to keep the sand from drifting. At this time the light had a 5th order Fresnel Lens. The date of this painting is from a black and white photo dating about 1883. This light was discontinued in October 1914. A tiny red and white replica of the 1859 Kalamazoo River light can be seen in Douglas, Mi. For more information go to www.lighthousefriends.com and for prints and cards go to www.michiganlighthouseart.com/gallery
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 The concrete base structure is shaped like the prow of a large ship warding off the ice and crashing waves of Lake Michigan. The pyramidal tower itself is made of riveted steel metal plates. The lantern room now boosts a vibrant green light to bring the large Ludington ferries back to home port. It was established in 1871 and the current light in 1924 which is still an active light.
The pier is easily accessed by car and walking 1/2 mile out on the break wall. If you drive west down the Main Street of the City of Ludington you stop right in front of a lovely city park and water front. The locals and tourists gather to park and watch the sunset behind the pier light most warm summer evenings. For more history go to www.lighthousefriends.com and for prints and cards of this painting go to www.michiganlighthouseart.com.  We had gone up to Alpena for the fall tour of the lighthouses in the area. We had signed up for an afternoon boat tour out to the island. But before we could go, Lake Huron became too rough to chance a trip out without guarantee of returning that evening. Staying in the keeper’s quarters without heat, electricity or food overnight didn’t sound like anything we wanted to sign up for, however it became so rough that the skipper decided not to go out at all and take on Lake Huron in a small boat.
Middle Island was originally the site of a very active life saving station built in 1881, about 10 miles north of Alpena, MI.. Behind the island was good anchorage during a storm. The Middle Island lighthouse was built in 1905 in a Victorian style buff-brick and stucco. It had a 4th order Fresnel Lens atop a 71’ tower. A Victorian brick 2.5 story duplex keeper’s quarters with 6 rooms per side was built at the same time. In 1953 the light was painted white with a black band in the middle, In 1970, the black band was repainted in reddish-orange. The lighthouse and life saving station were de-staffed in 1961 The lens was vandalized in the 1960’s., but one panel was returned to the light in 2002 by a man that stole the panel when he was a teen. The light passed to Middle Island Lighthouse Keepers Assc. The fog signal building has been rebranded as the “Keeper’s Lodgel” and is open to overnight guests. Check out more history on www.lighthousefriends.com. For prints or cards go to: www.michignlighthoseart.com  Sitting cozy on Christmas Eve 2018 at Big Bay Point Lighthouse looking out over a cold steel blue Lake Superior is the feeling I wanted to give for this painting. This sturdy dark red brick duplex lighthouse has 6 rooms on each side for the keeper and the assistant keeper and their families. This light is 25 miles north of Marquette, Mi. It is very isolated and positioned on a bluff to give it’S light maximum distance for passing ships. The tower stands 64’ tall but add the height of the bluff it stands 89’ above the Lake. it began service in Oct. 1896 and was fitted with a 3rd order Fresnel lens. The station was automated in 1941 and was unmanned after the last keeper in 1945. It past into private hands and has several owners. The lighthouse is currently a bed and breakfast. It is said that the homemade raspberry rolls are wonderful and the accommodations good. For more information go to www.lighthousefriends.com and for prints and cards go to www.michignlighthouseart.com
 This painting “Morning Light” showcases the front of the lighthouse’s castle-like architecture that is often missed because everyone is looking at the bridge and the lake. I really enjoyed capturing the sparkling sunlight on the tan brick and stone work.
Mackinaw Pt. Lighthouse was originally the sight for a fog station in 1890 and the MCGulpin Lighthouse Pt. 3 miles west was the original light. In 1892, the Mackinaw Lighthouse became the guiding light for the railroad/passenger ferries running the straits. In 1958, Mackinaw Bridge obsoleted Mackinaw Point Lighthouse as the ferries used the bridge as a light. In 1960, it became the property of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and it is now a maritime museum. Be sure and visit this light which sits are the south end of the Mackinaw Bridge in Mackinaw City. |
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 #209 Upstairs Keller’s Plaza Williamston, MI 48895 Phone: 517-256-8335 email:milagusa@yahoo.com Copyright All Images © 2023 |
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