Spectacle Reef

Type:
Year Established:
1874
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
off shore lighthouse
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2016
Photo Credit:
Ralph Eshelman
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
STRAITS OF MACKINAC/LAKE HURON
Latitude:
45° 46'06"
Longitude:
84° 08'17"
City / Town:
BOIS BLANC ISLAND
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
CHEBOYGAN
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Spectacle Reef
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1874
Tower Construction Material:
LIMESTONE
Tower Foundation:
CRIB
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
86 FT ABOVE WATER
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
BRICK
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1874
Keeper's Quarters Style:
INTEGRAL
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
STONE
Other Structures:
OIL HOUSE, STORAGE BUILDING

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
SOLAR POWERED
Original Optic Type:
SECOND ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1874
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

The Spectacle Reef Lighthouse cost $406,000 and is the best specimen of monolithic stone masonry in the United States.

  • 1870: Work on the lighthouse, which stands on a submerged limestone reef off the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinaw was commenced.
  • 1874: The light was first exhibited from the finished structure.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017