South Haven South Pierhead

Type:
Year Established:
1872
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
South Haven South Pierhead
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
1998
Photo Credit:
Don Henkel
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
BLACK RIVER ENTRANCE/LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
42° 24'05"
Longitude:
86° 17'09"
City / Town:
SOUTH HAVEN
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
VAN BUREN
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. South Haven South Pierhead
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1903
Tower Construction Material:
CAST IRON
Tower Foundation:
PIER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
37
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
35
Tower Shape:
CYLINDRICAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1872
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
WOOD
Other Structures:
CATWALK

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Original Optic Type:
FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1903
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1868: Lighthouse Board requested $6,000 appropriation for a pierhead light and keeper’s house. The appropriation was granted by Congress but then rescinded in 1870 before construction was completed.
  • 1871: Funds restored by Congress and construction began.
  • 1890: South Haven selected as a trial site for a Welsbach burner gasoline light.
  • 1901: Wooden tower moved to the newly constructed end of the pier.
  • 1902: A 5th order Fresnel installed and plans begun to replace the wooden tower with a metal one.
  • 1903: A pre-fabricated steel tower was delivered to the pierhead and installed.
  • 1913: Pierhead lengthened again and light tower moved to the new end.
  • 1991: Michigan Maritime Museum began leasing the keeper’s dwelling from the Coast Guard.
  • 2000: Lighthouse property deeded to city of South Haven.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017