The Cheboygan Crib Light is a light that indicates the west end of the pier at the place where the Cheboygan River flows into Lake Huron. This pier end, located in the center of the city of Cheboygan, is found at the north end of Huron Street. It is an important feature of Cheboygan's Gordon Turner Park.
History
The Crib Light is called a "light" instead of a "lighthouse" because it does not have a building where a keeper lived. It was first built in Lake Huron in 1884 on a "crib," which is a man-made island made from landfill, more than 2,000 feet (610 m) from the Cheboygan shore. It is believed the keeper lived in Cheboygan and had to travel daily by boat to the crib, even in bad weather, to care for the kerosene light. This work was dangerous, so davits were added to the Crib Light. These devices helped raise and lower boats, making it easier to unload supplies and protect them from waves.
In 1901, the station was painted white to improve visibility during the day. Two years later, in 1903, the old wooden structure was removed 12 inches (300 mm) below the water, and a stronger concrete and steel structure was built. Iron railings were added to improve safety.
In 1906, the rebuilt light was seriously damaged when a schooner struck it. A fog bell was then installed to help prevent future collisions, and the railings were replaced. In 1911, an automated fog bell was added, producing a single sound every ten seconds.
In 1920, the Lighthouse Service automated the Crib Light. In its new form, kerosene was no longer used. Instead, a traveling crew regularly brought tanks of acetylene gas. A steady pilot light burned day and night. When the sun set, the drop in temperature opened a special valve, allowing acetylene to flow to the pilot light, which made the light shine.
When the last lighthouse keeper left in 1929, the structure quickly fell into disrepair. Locals gave it the nickname "The Dummy."
In the second half of the 20th century, new technologies like radar made many Great Lakes light towers unnecessary. The Crib Light was labeled "surplus" property by the Coast Guard. In 1984, the light tower was moved from its original crib to its current location on the Gordon Turner Park pier head.
As noted by a Coast Guard researcher:
The Cheboygan Crib Light is now maintained by the Cheboygan municipality. The light, now powered by electricity, is cared for by a local support group. The tower is seen by many as a symbol of Cheboygan. In 2003, the municipality cleared its ownership of the light, removing its "surplus" status under the federal General Services Administration.
Location
The light is located in Gordon Turner Park, which is north of U.S. Highway 23 in Cheboygan, just west of the Cheboygan River. The park is at the end of Huron Street, less than one mile (1.6 kilometers) north of the highway. A boardwalk in the park leads to the Cheboygan River and the light. The light can also be seen from eastbound lighthouse cruises operated by Shepler's Ferry, which depart from Mackinaw City.
At this time, the light is not active. Visitors to Gordon Turner Park can view and walk around the light at the end of Water Street in Cheboygan. A few blocks upriver from the park is the Cheboygan River Front Range Light.