Harbor Beach Breakwater Light, Lk. Huron, MI.

This light was one of the first that I painted in 1989 after the family had a wonderful afternoon on the long pier that extends out from a lovely little park and beach. We could only view the light across the harbor through binoculars.
Harbor Beach Breakwater Light was activated in 1885 as a huge “harbor of refuge” on the east side of Lake Huron halfway between Fort Gratiot and the top of the thumb. It is a conical cast iron tower with a height of 45 feet originally with a 4th order Fresnel lens. It is located at the elbow of a massive 8,200’ breakwater enclosing 650 acres of calm water in a storm. The quarters had a room for a galley and berth for a 3-man crew. It was lonely duty and they welcomed any boaters that wanted to stop for a visit. It was automated 1976.
The title to the light was transferred to the Harbor Beach Lighthouse Preservation Society July 2010. The Society is very energetic and has upgraded the little light including a replica fourth order lens in 2015. They will offer boat tours in the summer of 2021. Go to harborbeachlighthouse.org for more information. For prints and cards go to www.michiganlighthouseart.com
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