Forty Mile Point

Year Established:
1897
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Chad Kaiser
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
LAKE HURON
Latitude:
45° 29'04"
Longitude:
83° 53'55"
City / Town:
ROGERS CITY
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
PRESQUE ISLE
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. Forty Mile Point
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1897
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK
Tower Foundation:
WOOD PILINGS
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
66 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
46 FT
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1897
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
BRICK
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1897
Keeper's Quarters Style:
DUPLEX (ATTACHED)
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
RED BRICK
Other Structures:
OIL HOUSE (1897), 2 PRIVIES (1897), BARN (1896), BATHHOUSE

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
FOURTH ORDER
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No

Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1896: Construction began on the light station. The structure mirrored the Big Bay Lighthouse which was concurrently being built on Lake Superior. The dwelling was a two story duplex with a tower built into the lake facing wall. Skylights were built into each “apartment” of the duplex so the keeper and the assistant could monitor the light without having to climb the tower.

  • 1897: The station was completed as winter was setting in so it wasn’t operational until May.

  • 1969: The station was automated.

  • 1998: Presque Isle County was deeded the property. While the light still remains an active aid to navigation, the grounds have been opened to the public as a park. One of the apartments in the duplex is a museum and the tower is open for climbing as well.


Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017