Ontonagon

Type:
Year Established:
1852
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Ontonagon
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2012
Photo Credit:
Tobi Graham
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
ONTONAGON RIVER MOUTH/LAKE SUPERIOR
Latitude:
46° 52'24"
Longitude:
89° 19'16"
City / Town:
ONTONAGON
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
ONTONAGON
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

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

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1964
Year Tower Established:
1866
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK
Tower Foundation:
NATURAL/EMPLACED
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
47 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
39 FT
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1866
Keeper's Quarters Style:
ATTACHED
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
YELLOW BRICK
Other Structures:
OIL HOUSE, PRIVY

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
REMOVED 1964
Original Optic Type:
FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1857
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1852: First brick tower was built. The original lighthouse was an integral design with the lantern on top of the keeper’s dwelling.
  • 1857: 5th Order Fresnel Lens Installed.
  • 1866: Tower rebuilt.
  • 1964: Light discontinued and ownership was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • 2003: Ownership passed from the Corps of Engineers to the Ontonagon County Historical Society. The Fresnel lens is on display at the OCH Museum.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017