Alpena

Type:
Year Established:
1877
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Alpena
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Chad Kaiser
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
NORTH BREAKWATER, THUNDER BAY RIVER / LAKE HURON
Latitude:
45° 03'45"
Longitude:
83° 25'46"
City / Town:
ALPENA
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
ALPENA
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Alpena
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1914
Tower Construction Material:
CAST IRON
Tower Foundation:
CONCRETE PIERS
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
44
Tower Shape:
SKELETAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1877
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
Wood Frame
Other Structures:
1891, FOG BELL WITH AUTOMATED STRIKING MECHANISM; 1920, ELECTRIC SIREN; 1932, FOG HORN; CURRENT, MODERN AUTOMATED HORN OPERATES MAY TO OCTOBER; BRICK STORAGE BUILDING (1898) NO LONGER EXTANT

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
VRB-25
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER
Year Original Lens Installed:
1914
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
Yes
Comments:

Historical Information :

  • 1877: Original tower built.
  • 1914: Current tower built. This bright red, steel frame structure has been nicknamed "Sputnik" by the people of this northern Michigan City. Resembling the Russian space satellite, it is believed to be the only lighthouse of this type in the United States. 
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017