Michigan Lights - Manistique East & Sand Point

Manistique East Breakwater Light
9/22/2017   dwm photo

There are miles and miles of beautiful roads around the United States.  It is one of the best things about traveling along two-lane state, county, and federal highways.

U.S. 2 tracks much of the shoreline along Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

It makes very scenic views.  Add a lighthouse and it is a photo opportunity.

Manistique, Michigan used to be a bustling community.  Timber and pig iron were shipped out daily.  It is much quieter today.

The 19th and early 20th century was a big time for lumber as White Pine was prized.  Mills cut wood and shipped it out.

According to a historic marker near the Manistique East Breakwater Light, more than 5 million tons of sawdust was generated by the mills between 1863 and 1912.

It was dumped into the water of Lake Michigan.  Sawdust, right, should just float away and dissolve.  The dust from cutting all that White Pine still mixes with the sand on the shore today - 100 years later!

The light sits on the East Breakwater
creating a protective harbor.  (dwm)

In addition to industry, Manistique was a port for a car and railroad ferry, so a light was considered a good idea for the boom-town.  It was built in 1916.

Ferry service closed in 1968 and the light was automated the same year.

In 2012, the light was sold and the city worked with Michigan's Light Conservancy to preserve the light and keeper's house in town.  We missed the keeper's house on our visit.

Sand Point Lighthouse, Escanaba, Michigan
9/22/2017    dwm photo

Further west on U.S. 2 is Escanaba, Michigan; home to the Sand Point Lighthouse.

The light is a public museum, but closed on the Friday afternoon in September when we pulled into town.

Escanaba was another shipping center, primarily for the iron dug out of mines in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The light was built in 1868.  According to the history I read, it is unclear why the light tower faces away from the water.

As you look at the above photo, I'm standing on the beach with the lake's bay behind me and the lake to the left.  It is an odd way to place it.

The restored Sand Point
lighthouse opened in
1990.  (dwm)

According to its history the first keeper, John Terry, died before it went online.  His wife, Mary, took over the job.  She served until 1886 when fire destroyed much of the building and killed her.

Her body was found in the oil room.  While foul play was suspected by authorities because a door's lock was shot open, no cause was found.  Given the flammable fuel in the house, it may not have taken much to spark the fire.

It was rebuilt in two months, continuing operations until 1939 when the Coast Guard took it over.  The Guard built a light off shore and used the lighthouse as quarters - lifting the roof and renovating the tower to house more men.  In 1941, the man in charge was told to burn it.  Flames destroyed the remaining tower.  It was to be completely destroyed in 1985 when the Delta County Historical Society stepped in and began its restoration.

Committed and passionate people, even in small numbers, can change their corner of the world for the better.  This tourist to Escanaba is glad they did.