Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Michigan--St. Joseph North Pierhead Lights

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Michigan Lighthouses

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ST. JOSEPH NORTH PIERHEAD LIGHTS

State: MICHIGAN
Location: ST. JOSEPH RIVER ENTRANCE / LAKE MICHIGAN
Nearest City: ST. JOSEPH
County: BERRIEN
U.S.C.G. District: 9
Year Station Established: 1832

Photo courtesy Ted Smith

First Historic Tower (OUTER LIGHT):

Year Light First Lit: 1906
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated:
Automated: UNKNOWN
Foundation Materials: PIER
Construction Materials: CAST IRON
Markings/Patterns: WHITE W/BLACK LANTERN
Shape: CYLINDRICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 35
Original Optic: FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed: 1906
Present Optic: MODERN
Year Present Lens Installed: UNKNOWN
Height of Focal Plane: 31
Fresnel Lens Disposition: ON LOAN TO THE FORT MIAMI HERITAGE SOCIETY
Has tower been moved? NO

Second Historic Tower (INNER LIGHT):

Year Light First Lit: 1907
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated:
Automated: UNKNOWN
Foundation Materials: PIER
Construction Materials: STEEL
Markings/Patterns: WHITE W/BLACK LANTERN
Shape: OCTAGONAL ON SQUARE HOUSE
Relationship to Other Structures: INTEGRAL
Tower Height: 57
Original Optic: FOURTH ORDER
Year Original Lens Installed: 1907
Present Optic: SAME
Year Present Lens Installed: N/A
Height of Focal Plane: 53
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s): (OUTER LIGHT)

1. Construction Date: C. 1880S
Description: PYRIMIDAL WOODEN TOWER
Fate/Disposition: REPLACED WITH 1906 TOWER

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? YES

Year Constructed: 1907
Construction Materials: STEEL
Architectural Style: INTEGRAL TO INNER TOWER
Fog Signal Type: DIAPHONE

Existing Keepers Quarters? UNKNOWN

Other Structures: CATWALK

Current Use: ACTIVE AIDS TO NAVIGATION

Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

National Register Status: DETERMINED ELIGIBLE BY SHPO

Miscellaneous:
PRIOR TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PIER, A LIGHT WAS EXHIBITED FROM A LANTERN ATOP A 2-STORY WOOD FRAME KEEPERS DWELLING CONSTRUCTED IN 1859; THE LIGHT REMAINED IN SERVICE UNTIL 1924. THE STRUCTURE WAS TOWN DOWN IN THE 1950S.

Last Modified: Tues, Feb 01 2005 5:58:02 pm EDT
JMP

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