Grand Haven South Pierhead Range

Type:
Year Established:
1871
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1903
Grand Haven South Pierhead Range
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2006
Photo Credit:
Ralph Eshelman
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
GRAND RIVER/LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
43° 3.5'
Longitude:
86° 15.4'
City / Town:
GRAND HAVEN
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
OTTAWA
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1905
Tower Construction Material:
CAST IRON
Tower Foundation:
PIER (INNER LIGHT)
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
52
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
51
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Tower Daymark:
Red
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1875
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
WOOD/CAST IRON
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Other Structures:
ELEVATED WALKWAY "CATWALK"

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
250 MM
Original Optic Type:
SIXTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1839: Original tower completed. Sometime later, a winter storm undermined the keeper’s house.
  • 1855: New lighthouse built on a bluff.
  • 1857: Breakwater built.
  • 1875: Fog signal building built.
  • 1881: Lighthouse constructed on pier.
  • 1883: South pier lengthened.
  • 1895: Light added to fog signal building, forming front range.
  • 1900’s: cast iron tower built to replace rear tower.
  • 1905: Rear light moved to inner end of pier. As a result, the 1855 lighthouse was discontinued and its 4th order Fresnel relocated to the new lighthouse.
  • 1910: The 1855 lighthouse was razed and its masonry walls used to build a two-story keeper’s house.
  • 1921: Cast iron catwalk built to replace wooden one.
  • 1922: Fog signal building covered with corrugated metal sheeting.
  • 1988: Lights added along the length of the catwalk.
  • 1995: Piers and breakwaters placed on National Register of Historic Places.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017