Michigan Lights - Point Peninsula and Menomonie

Point Peninsula Light
9/22/2017  dwm photo

It stands near the end of Stonington Peninsula, ready to assist sailors in trouble.

The Point Peninsula Light was in trouble itself at one time.

After taken out of service by the Coast Guard in 1936 when it was replaced, the lighthouse became an attraction in the National Forest.

The house was destroyed by fire in 1959.  The damaged house and various outbuildings were removed.

Only the tower remains.

After a winding drive over a one lane dirt road through the forest covered peninsula you can see water on three sides and the black lantern capping a Cream City brick candle.

Looking at Lake Michigan thru
the lantern.   (dwm photo)

The lantern's windows are removed. 

The door was open, so anybody willing could climb three flights to the top deck.

The light was built in 1865 to warn ships of a dangerous shoal and reef which extends more than two miles off shore.

By 1936, a new light was built on the shoal itself and the Minneapolis Shoal Lighthouse effectively put the one on land out of business.

Point Peninsula stairs.  (dwm)

This finger of land seems to point the way during migration.  Birds frequently use areas like this to rest before crossing the lake.

Monarch Butterflies gather here to prepare for their flight to Door County, Wisconsin.  The flocking of butterflies usually occurs in September, but we were either too late or too early when we stopped. 

That would have been nice to see.

The Menomonie North Pier Lighthouse
Menomonie, Michigan   9/22/2017  dwm photo

The last light of our trip was in Menomonie, Michigan.  It isn't the last light in this series, but we are getting close.

Menomonie and Marinette, Wisconsin are neighbors on either side of the Menomonie River.

In the early 19th century logging was the major industry and the river served as the highway to get lumber to market.

Two piers were extended from the mouth of river and the bottom was dredged to facilitate shipping.

Menomonie North Pier light.
dwm photo

The original light was built in 1877, then moved 9 years later to its current location.

Major work updated it in 1927.  It was operated by the United States Light Service until 1939 when the Coast Guard took over.  They stood by until 1972 when it was automated.

Jump forward 33 years and the light joined many of its kin when it was deemed excess property and offered to interested parties.

The city took over, but restoration efforts didn't start until 2016.

It stands in an area of the city with a lot of potential.  The river and lake create a destination and the light is the attraction.

How poetic it would be for the guidance and warning system which helped commerce in the 19th century to light the way in a growing tourism economy in the 21st.