The New Presque Isle Light was built in 1870 in Presque Isle, Michigan, which is located east of Grand Lake. It stands on the peninsula that shares its name. Michigan has 149 lighthouses, more than any other state. Sometimes, changes in the shoreline or damage to the original building over time lead to a new lighthouse being built nearby. In this case, the Old Presque Isle Light is located in the same area.
History
Major Orlando M. Poe, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer, created the plans for the new lighthouse and suggested that the construction cost would be $21,000 more than the amount already set aside. This increase was considered small compared to the large amounts he later spent on building the Spectacle Reef Light. Major Poe also served as the chief engineer for General William Tecumseh Sherman’s famous “March to the Sea” during the Civil War. Once funding was approved, he collected construction materials, gathered labor bids, and organized a team of workers.
A lighthouse tender, a smaller ship used to service lighthouses, brought the workers and materials to the harbor in the summer of 1870. These tenders delivered supplies, food, and construction materials to keep the lighthouse operational. Construction was completed in early summer 1871. The lighthouse’s base was 10 feet (3.0 meters) below ground level, narrowing to 12 feet (3.7 meters) just below the gallery. The tower had double walls to protect against harsh weather on Lake Huron. A spiral iron staircase with 138 steps led to the top gallery. This design was so unique that other lighthouses on the Great Lakes, such as those at Outer Island and Au Sable Point on Lake Superior, and Big Sable Point and Grosse Point on Lake Michigan, used similar structures.
A 16-foot covered walkway connected the tower to the two-story keeper’s house, providing shelter during bad weather. A full cellar beneath the house stored personal items and oil for the lighthouse lamp.
Fresnel lens
A third-order Fresnel lens, which was six feet tall and made by Henry LePaute Cie. of Paris, was used in the lighthouse lamp. This lens was invented by a Frenchman with the same name and became widely used in towers across the country. Its strong and efficient design allowed light to travel much farther than older methods, such as open flames, whale oil, or small wicks. The Fresnel lens system improved lighthouse lighting, but it was not commonly used in the United States or on the Great Lakes until the 1850s. The lens was designed to let only a small amount of light escape—meaning it spread out and did not shine directly onto the water or ships. Fresnel achieved this by creating rings around the lens that bent the light, focusing it in one direction. This made the light visible to boats on the lakes from several miles away, which was especially helpful for ships in storms or dangerous weather.
The Fresnel lens was better than an earlier system called the Lewis system. This system, created by a former sea captain named Winslow Lewis, used a parabolic reflector to direct light from a hollow-tube wick. Air flowing over the wick intensified the light, producing the brightness of six or seven candles. However, even with the reflector, the Lewis system could not match the brightness of the Fresnel lens. It was also hard to clean and maintain, requiring frequent repairs and adjustments. Because of these issues, the Fresnel lens system was the best choice for lighthouses, including the Presque Isle Harbor lighthouse.
The light at Presque Isle did not use a flashing system, though one was available. Flashing beacons help boats recognize different lights. A rotating beacon would shine light all around the lighthouse, or a blinder with a small opening would rotate, exposing the light for short periods. The rotation was controlled by heavy weights that slowly moved downward due to gravity. Every few hours, the lightkeeper would reset the rotating beacon or blinder. However, the Presque Isle lighthouse had a steady beacon that did not flash.
Lightkeepers
Patrick Garraty was chosen by Abraham Lincoln to be the fourth keeper of the old lighthouse. He was also named the first keeper of the new lighthouse. His wife, Mary, was appointed by Patrick to help him as assistant keeper. Later, in 1886, Patrick’s 18-year-old son, Thomas, took over the job. Thomas kept the light working until 1935.
The lighthouse keeper’s job never ended. The station had to stay clean and organized. The lens needed to be cleaned every day, washed every two months, and polished once a year. Wicks had to be trimmed daily. The light tower had to remain in good condition, which required sweeping, shoveling snow, and other tasks. These jobs had to be finished before 10 a.m. to prepare for the night’s use. Many keepers also grew vegetables in a garden on the property to have fresh food when supplies did not arrive.
The Lighthouse Board often sent inspectors to check that the lights, towers, and stations were properly maintained. Inspectors usually arrived without warning, but when telephones were installed at stations near the lakes, keepers could call others to let them know an inspection was coming. In last-minute efforts, the lenses were cleaned, the station was tidied, and the keeper and family wore cleaner clothes to look more professional. These inspections were taken very seriously.
Upgrades
As time passed and larger ships used Presque Isle Harbor, more improvements and buildings were added. In March 1889, Congress provided an additional $5,500 to build a steam fog signal at the station. These loud horns helped ships during fog or storms when visibility was poor. Although the fog sometimes made the signals hard to hear, they could be heard where the light could not reach. However, using steam had a problem: preparing the signal took a long time. Sometimes, it took up to 45 minutes to start a boiler fire and build enough steam pressure. This delay could be dangerous for ships needing quick help from the station’s keepers. Later, compressed air replaced steam, which greatly reduced the time needed to prepare the signal.
In June 1890, the steam barge Ruby arrived at Presque Isle Harbor with a crew. They brought materials to build a structure and a 2,240-foot (680-meter)-long tramway. This tramway was used to transport coal, oil, and other supplies from the dock to fuel the fog signal boilers. The crew also rebuilt the landing dock and boat house. In 1897, the landing dock was extended by 120 feet (37 meters) due to falling lake levels.
Keeping the fog signal boilers running was a difficult job. These tasks, along with others, often required more than one keeper and one assistant. In 1900, Eleventh District Inspector Commander Edward H. Gheen reported that the Presque Isle Light needed more than two people to operate the station. Plans were made to build a second dwelling, and Congress gave $5,000 for its construction. Work began on the tender Amaranth, and the new dwelling was completed by September 1905. During this time, the outer crib of the boat landing and a new deck were also built. However, for four years, no second assistant keeper was assigned to Presque Isle. In November 1909, Arthur J. Cater took the position.
In September 1912, an incandescent oil vapor system was installed at the light tower. This system reduced the need for cleaning while increasing the brightness and heat of the light. Kerosene was forced into a heated chamber, where it turned into vapor. The vapor then burned brightly in a special mantle. This system was highly effective and is similar to the type used in small Coleman lanterns used by campers today.
In 1939, the Lighthouse Service was transferred to the Coast Guard, which then managed the Presque Isle Light. Indoor plumbing and electricity were added to the station, and the fog signal building was torn down because it was no longer needed. The Coast Guard automated the light in 1970 and sealed the station building.
Recent developments
In the 1990s, this lighthouse received an extra layer of bricks. Because of this, the lighthouse is now wider, and it appears less slim in old pictures compared to its original look.
The land around the lighthouse was rented to the county as Presque Isle Park. In 1998, the county was given complete control of the property. The lighthouse’s light can be seen 22 nautical miles (41 kilometers; 25 miles) out at sea, making it one of the tallest towers on the Great Lakes today.
This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The listing name is: NEW PRESQUE ISLE LIGHTHOUSE/REF #83000890.