Thunder Bay Island

Type:
Year Established:
1832
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Thunder Bay Island
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Chad Kaiser
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
SE END THUNDER BAY ISLAND/LAKE HURON
Latitude:
45° 02'17"
Longitude:
83° 12'05"
City / Town:
ALPENA
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
ALPENA
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Thunder Bay Island
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1832
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK
Tower Foundation:
DRESSED STONE/TIMBER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
56
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
50
Tower Shape:
CONICAL (MODIFIED 1857)
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1892
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
BRICK
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1868
Keeper's Quarters Style:
RECTANGULAR (ATTACHED)
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
YELLOW BRICK
Other Structures:
OIL HOUSE, STORAGE BUILDING, BOATHOUSE, DOCK (WEST SIDE OF ISLAND)

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
190 MM
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Private Aid:
No
Year Automated:
1980
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1831: Construction began, but the first tower fell and a 40 foot tower was begun and completed in 1832 with a detached 1 1⁄2 story keeper’s dwelling.
  • 1847: A new keeper’s dwelling was constructed.
  • 1857: The lighthouse was rebuilt and raised to 50 feet tall and equipped with a Fresnel lens. The focal plane was increased to 63 feet above the lake level.
  • 1858: A fog signal bell was installed.
  • 1868: An attached lighthouse keeper’s quarters was constructed of yellow brick.
  • 1872: Steam fog whistle and building constructed.
  • 1903: A brick oil house was constructed.
  • 1907: A brick fog signal building was constructed and the wooden cistern replaced with a brick cistern.
  • 1913: The lighthouse lamp was converted from kerosene to oil vapor fuel.
  • 1916: The old fog signal building was converted into a residence for the assistant keeper and family.
  • 1921: A Type C diaphone fog signal was installed.
  • 1927: A radio station building was constructed near the fog signal building.
  • 1932: A Type F diaphone fog signal was installed. Additions were made to the Second Assistant Lighthouse Keeper’s dwelling and an addition made to the fog signal building for fuel storage.
  • 1980: The lighthouse was automated through installation of a 190 mm acrylic optic in the lantern powered by solar cells on the ground and storage batteries in the tower. The station then closed.
  • 1984: The lighthouse was designated a historic site in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1997: The Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society was formed and signed an agreement with the US Coast Guard for responsibility of the lighthouse grounds and buildings.
     
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017