PASSAGE ISLAND

Type:
Year Established:
1882
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
view of station from boat
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
PASSAGE ISLAND OFF ISLE ROYALE/LAKE SUPERIOR
Latitude:
48° 13'35"
Longitude:
88° 21'30"
City / Town:
HOUGHTON
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
KEWEENAW
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

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

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1882
Tower Construction Material:
FIELDSTONE
Tower Foundation:
NATURAL/EMPLACED
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
78 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
37.5 FT
Tower Shape:
OCTAGONAL
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1882
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
CORRUGATED METAL
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1882
Keeper's Quarters Style:
NORMAN GOTHIC (INTEGRAL)
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
FIELDSTONE
Other Structures:
STORAGE SHED, STEEL TRAMWAY, TRAM WINCH HOUSE, STEEL RADIO TOWER, WOOD PRIVY, DOCK, WOODEN HELICOPTER LANDING PAD, BOATHOUSE, DOCKS

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
190 MM
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1882
Private Aid:
No
Year Automated:
1978
USCG Access to Optics:
Yes
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1882: Passage Island was completed. The lighthouse at Passage Island is in the “Norman Gothic” style. This style was used at other sites including McGulpin’s Point, Eagle Bluff, and Chamber’s Island. The keeper’s dwelling is a 26’ x 30’ fieldstone two story structure with a 44 foot tower in the southwest corner.
  • 1882: A 4th order Fresnel lens was installed with a fixed red light and lit on July 1, 1882.
  • 1898: It was determined a flashing white light would be more effective so the tower was fitted with a rotating beacon.
  • 1978: The light station was automated.
  • 1989 the Fresnel lens was removed and replaced with a 190 mm acrylic optic. The Fresnel lens is on display at the Portage Coast Guard Station.
  • The Passage Island Lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation. It is not open to the public. The grounds are part of the Isle Royale National Park.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017