HISTORY

2 Upper Peninsula lighthouses slated for restoration program

Rock of Ages Lighthouse and Eagle Harbor Lighthouse chosen to receive much-needed repairs

Ren Brabenec
The rocky shore near the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

UPPER PENINSULA — The State of Michigan lays claim to many trophies. To name a few:

  • #1 producer of tart cherries
  • Longest freshwater coastline (3,200 miles)
  • The state with the only authentic, operating Dutch windmill
  • Second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation, after California

And, of course, Michigan has the most lighthouses of any state in the nation, with 120 lighthouses dotting the shoreline.

But these lighthouses are exposed to extreme natural elements every year, according to Martha MacFarlane-Faes, deputy state historic preservation officer at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

“These icons on our shorelines require constant maintenance and attention,” she said. “Our lighthouse preservation grants help repair and restore these beacons, so they can connect us with our maritime heritage for years to come.”

To ensure the lighthouses receive the care they need, SHPO directed $106,000 in Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP) grant funding to the Rock of Ages Lighthouse and the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, both located in the U.P.

The Rock Of Ages Lighthouse is located three miles off the coast of Isle Royale.

The Rock of Ages Lighthouse is located on a small rock island three miles off the coast of Isle Royale, near Windigo. The 117-foot lighthouse was built in 1908 and is composed of steel, concrete and brick, with a black base and lantern. After the Rock of Ages Reef (the rock outcropping upon which the lighthouse sits) claimed two large ships — the Cumberland in 1877 and the Henry Chisholm in 1898 — Congress approved the construction of the lighthouse in 1905. An engineering feat of the time, the lighthouse is one of the tallest and most powerful beacons on the Great Lakes.

But Lake Superior takes its toll on this 114-year-old structure.

“Cracking, missing vent covers, and heavy lichen growth on the exterior masonry of Rock of Ages Lighthouse are causing water infiltration that threatens to halt interior restoration efforts,” said Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society Executive Director David Gerth.

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The Rock Of Ages Lighthouse is seen during construction.

Gerth's preservation society plans to use an MLAP grant of $46,000 and a match amount of $23,000 to perform much-needed repairs.

“This grant will allow us to hire a contractor to clean, repair and paint the exterior masonry of the tower ensuring that interior restoration may continue as scheduled,” said Gerth.

The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse is located in Eagle Harbor, on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Originally built as a wooden structure in 1851 and rebuilt into its present-day brick structure in 1871, this lighthouse has been critical to guiding mariners on Lake Superior across the northern edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse is shown.

The Keweenaw County Historical Society, which owns the lighthouse, will use an MLAP grant of $60,000 and a match amount of $39,000 to rehabilitate the lighthouse tower. Proposed work projects include replacing deteriorated brick, selective repointing of the tower, repairing damaged plaster on the tower interior, diverting water drainage issues on the roof and walls, and repairing the deck and lantern room.

“The Keweenaw County Historical Society is very appreciative of receiving this grant award, especially since we are a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization,” said Keweenaw County Historical Society President Mel Jones. “This funding will help us preserve and maintain our 150 plus-year-old lighthouse in a manner that is historically correct.”

Beyond their cultural and historical contributions, Michigan lighthouses serve an important economic function. Many of them are still operating, and the structures assist mariners in navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. Further, the lighthouses are significant attractions for travelers, tourists and Michigan residents who want to learn the history of the structures and the unique stories each lighthouse can tell.

“Michigan’s iconic lighthouses offer something for every traveler, from lighthouse enthusiasts to history buffs and curious tourists looking to get out there and experience one of Pure Michigan’s hidden gems,” said Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, the state’s official agency for the promotion of tourism. “Programs like the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program are extremely important in supporting our tourism efforts across the state.”

The Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program was established in 2000 when many U.S. lighthouses were transferred from federal ownership. MLAP was created to assist in preserving, rehabilitating and protecting historic lighthouses in the Great Lake State. U.P. residents can do their part to support lighthouse restoration by ordering “Save Our Lights” license plates.

Ren Brabenec is a Brimley-based freelance writer and journalist with The Sault News. He reports on politics, local issues, environmental stories and the economy. For questions, comments, or to suggest a story, email hello@renbrabenec.com.