Tawas Pt Lighthouse, Lk. Huron, MI

I painted the lighthouse and grounds in the golds and oranges of a late afternoon fall sunlight. The foregound foliage is an old fashioned plant call "bittersweet" with it's orange berries which were growing by the lake shore.
 The original light was built in 1853, but by 1870, the shoreline had extended, stranding the light over a mile inland to far to be of any use. The current light was bult in 187 5 on the end of the new point.  The conical tower and keepers quarters are made of red brick.  The 67 foot tall tower was painted the traditional white. The flashing white beacon was produced by a rotation 4th order Fresnel lens.  The Tawas Point light was one of the first in the Great Lakes to have an occulting clock mechanism to make the light flash at specifical interval giving the light it's signature wink to mariners.
In 1953, the light again too far inland to be more than a costal light.  The light was automated and closed., n 1996, the light was deeded to the DNR. It is now part of the Tawas Pt. State Park. The tower is open to the public May-October.  It is an easy drive to the tower, but visitors must have a state park passport and there is a small fee to go up into the tower. Go to www.lighthousefriends.com for more history.  Prints and cards available on the website. www.michiganlighthouseart.com