Michigan Lights - Peche Island

The Peche Island light at home in Marine City, Michigan.
9/25/2019 dwm photo

The Peche Island Light hasn't been near Peche Island for almost 40 years, but it wouldn't have lasted this long without the move.

The light, next to the St. Clair River in downtown Marine City, Michigan, doesn't help with navigation but can sure stop traffic.

The park where it stands is barely a block wide, on the other side of main street are downtown shops and restaurants.

The St. Clair looks like a river you could see anywhere, except for the ocean-going ships.

A south-bound freighter heading for Detroit and beyond.
Picture taken from lighthouse park.  9/25/2019  dwm photo

The lighthouse is used to big boats.  It was originally in American waters close to the mouth of the Detroit River near Peche Island in Canada.

The light was a successor to lights from the 1890s that marked the way into the Detroit River from Lake St. Clair north of the Motor City.

Ice destroyed many of the early lights, carrying them downstream during the spring thaw.

Finally, in 1906, Congress approved building a stronger set of lights to mark the waterway.  One of those was destroyed by a fire and explosion in 1927, replaced by a shorter front light to align with the Peche Island Rear Range Light.

The city light was
dedicated 8/21/1983.
Photo 9/25/19 (dwm)

Electricity replaced the explosive acetylene gas in 1940.  By 1980, the light had a severe list and was replaced with a modern light.  That's when a leader at the local Michigan Bank stepped in, contacting the scrap company to purchase and move it to Marine City.

During the past six years, it's been cleaned up, had new windows and lights installed, and got a coat of paint that should last more than 30 years.

It's a pretty light, a work-a-day structure designed to help boats safely ply their trade.  A light that fits in the friendly, working community of Marine City.

See more of my collection of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin lights by following the link.