Copper Harbor

Type:
Year Established:
1849
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Copper Harbor
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2000
Photo Credit:
Candace Clifford
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
HAY'S POINT/KEWEENAW PENINSULA/LAKE SUPERIOR
Latitude:
47° 28'27"
Longitude:
87° 51'24"
City / Town:
COPPER HARBOR
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
KEWEENAW
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. Copper Harbor
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1933
Year Tower Established:
1866
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK
Tower Foundation:
DRESSED STONE/TIMBER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
65 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
35 FT
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1866
Keeper's Quarters Style:
ATTACHED TO TOWER
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
YELLOW BRICK
Other Structures:
DETACHED 1849 DWELLING WHICH SERVED AS STORAGE AND OIL HOUSE

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
REMOVED
Original Optic Type:
FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1856
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1847: Congress appropriated $5,000 for a lighthouse at this site.
  • 1849: 1st lighthouse built.
  • 1856: 4th order Fresnel lens installed.
  • 1866: Current tower built.
  • 1883: The lighthouse was discontinued due to waning harbor traffic.
  • 1888: The lighthouse was re-established. The original lens had been relocated to another lighthouse, so a new 4th order lens was installed.
  • 1927: The light was removed from the lighthouse and put on a steel tower.
  • 1937: Light electrified and 300 mm lens installed.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017