HARBOR BEACH

Type:
Year Established:
1858
Existing:
Yes
Harbor Beach MI
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2005
Photo Credit:
Mike and Carol McKinney
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
N. SIDE BREAKWATER ENTRANCE/LAKE HURON
Latitude:
43° 50.7'
Longitude:
82° 37.9'
City / Town:
HARBOR BEACH
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
HURON
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

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

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1885
Tower Construction Material:
CAST IRON W/BRICK LINING
Tower Foundation:
TIMBER CRIB
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
54
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
45
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
BRICK
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1885
Keeper's Quarters Style:
INTEGRAL TO TOWER
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
BRICK

OPTICS

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

Historical Information:

  • This location was originally called Sand Beach.

  • 1858: First lighthouse built on this site.

  • 1885: Current lighthouse built.

  • 1913: The “Big Storm” that hit the Great Lakes undermined the breakwater.

  • 1983: Lighthouse placed on National Register of Historic Places.

  • 1986: The original 4th order Fresnel lens was removed from the lantern and given to the local Harbor Beach Historical Society.

  • 1987: Another storm caused several million dollars in damages to both the lighthouse and the breakwater.

  • 1988: Storm related repairs were completed.

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