Michigan Lights - New Presque Isle

A view of the keeper's house and
tower from the north end of the Isle.
9/25/2019 dwm photo

The fourth light on Presque Isle is the newest and most spectacular.

It rises 113 feet above the island and its strong 3rd Order Fresnel lens could be seen 25 miles away.

I was excited by the height, hoping the gift shop was open so I could climb.

It was and I did.  138 steps - the tallest light on the Great Lakes open to the public.  In terms of lights overall, it is the 5th tallest tower.

Looking north from the top of the
tower. 9/25/19 (dwm)

The New Light was built in 1870 and went on-line in 1871.  Its been in use ever since.

From the top the view is impressive, as is looking at it from the ground.

At the height of its operation, a second keeper's house was built to handle the crew needed for the light and adjacent fog horn signal.  Every piece required fuel - firewood for the foghorn and oil carried to the top for the lamp.

It was difficult, back-breaking, life-saving work.

The Spiral Iron
stairway with rail counts
138 steps. (dwm)

Because of all the work going on during its hey day; this light makes a wonderful visit because there are a lot of areas to explore beyond the tower and gift shop.

The second keeper's house is a museum decorated to the style of the times in 1915 with its original finish including birds-eye Maple floors.

A Parlor in the Light House.
9/25/19 dwm photo

After a week in the Mission Point Lighthouse and climbing its 37 steps multiple times daily, it was a thrill to climb step after step and emerge above the surrounding forest with my own bird's eye perspective.

Wow.

The manicured grounds and well-tended houses reminded me of pictures of lights along the Atlantic coast.  In fact, the New Presque Isle light was built like a coastal light so the rapidly growing number of ships could travel safely.

The designer of this light, Orlando Poe, was an Army Engineer who served during the Civil War.  He became chief engineer for the Light House District of the Upper Great Lakes and eventually started the first passage of what became the Soo Locks at Sault St. Marie which opened Minnesota's coal fields.

New Presque Isle Lighthouse and additional Keeper House.
9/25/2019 dwm photo

While I can't imagine only visiting a couple of lights - the way the township and local volunteers have lovingly rehabbed and renovated the Old Presque Light, Range Lights, and buildings and grounds of the New Light - this area on Michigan's East Coast on Lake Huron merits a much longer stay.

Many thanks and loving appreciation go to the folks of Presque Isle for their work today to preserve the past.

See more lighthouses by following the link.