The Old Presque Isle Light was the first lighthouse in Presque Isle, Michigan. It was built in 1840 and made of two-thirds stone and one-third brick. Congress had provided $5,000 two years earlier to fund its construction. However, the tower and living quarters did not last long in the rough weather. By 1867, they were too damaged for continued use, so Congress decided a new lighthouse was needed. Today, the Old Presque Isle Light is not in operation and serves as a museum.
History
This old lighthouse has not been completely forgotten, especially by those who believe in supernatural stories. A local legend claims that the lighthouse is still home to ghosts who are said to haunt the light. One ghost, George Parris, was a former museum caretaker who has been deceased for many years. It is said that he still returns to the lighthouse regularly to light the lamp, even though the light has been turned off for a long time.
Other stories about Mr. Parris involve a young girl who visited the tower alone. When she returned, she told her parents she had spoken to a "nice old man" in the tower's lamp room. No one else was in the tower at that time, and the girl correctly identified the man as George Parris from a photo in the nearby cottage/museum.
One day, George Parris's wife was leaving their cottage during a severe lightning storm to run an errand. She claimed that an unusual force blocked her from leaving. At that moment, lightning struck outside the cottage. Mrs. Parris believes to this day that her late husband's spirit protected her from being hurt by the lightning.
The New Presque Isle Lighthouse, located a few miles north, is also known for ghost stories. A keeper's wife who was locked inside the lighthouse and not allowed to leave suffered from severe loneliness and eventually became mentally ill. Many visitors to the site claim to hear her voice.
The Lighthouse Board, the group responsible for building and maintaining lighthouses, decided to move the lighthouse about 2 miles (3.2 km) north. This new location allowed ships farther from shore to still see the light easily. The new tower was designed to be 113 feet (34 m) tall, more than 80 feet (24 m) taller than the older lighthouse. Congress approved $7,000 in March 1867 to fund this project, and the New Presque Isle Lighthouse was soon built.
This lighthouse and its sister, the New Presque Isle Light, are located east of Grand Lake (Presque Ile, Michigan) and sit on a peninsula.
This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the reference number 73000957. The name of the listing is "OLD PRESQUE ISLE LIGHTHOUSE."
A Fresnel lens that was once used at this lighthouse was donated and is now displayed at the Beaver Island Head Light.