Passage Island Light
File:Passageisland.jpg
Undated USCG photo of the station
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Location | SW end of Passage Is., 3.25 mi NE of Isle Royale, in NW Lake Superior, Houghton Township, Michigan |
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Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Year first constructed | 1882 |
Year first lit | 1882[1] |
Automated | 1978[2] |
Construction | fieldstone[2] |
Markings / pattern | natural with white & red lantern[2] |
Height | 44 feet (13 m)[2] |
Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens[1] |
Current lens | 7.5-inch (190 mm) |
USCG number | |
Passage Island Light Station
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Architect | U.S. Lighthouse Board |
Architectural style | Gothic |
MPS | Light Stations of the United States MPS |
NRHP Reference # | 06000632[3] |
Added to NRHP | July 19, 2006 |
The Passage Island Light Station is a lighthouse located 3.25 mi (5.23 km) NE of Isle Royale, in NW Lake Superior, Michigan on Passage Island. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.[3]
Description
The light tower is 44 feet (13 m) high, constructed of field stone, and is square on the first level, transitioning to octagonal above.[4] It is topped with a ten-sided cast iron lantern, accessible via a spiral staircase within the tower.[4] The tower is integral with the keeper's house, which is a two-story field stone house measuring 26 by 30 feet (7.9 by 9.1 m).[4]
History
The need for a lighthouse between Passage Island and Isle Royale was recognized as early as the 1860s, as lake traffic increased dramatically due to the upsurge in mining in the Upper Peninsula.[4] However, it took until 1875 before Congress authorized funds for the construction of a lighthouse.[4] However, because of Congress's desire to bring political pressure to bear on the Canadian government to force them to build a lighthouse in Lake Erie, the appropriated $18,000 for Pasage Light was not released until 1880.[4] Construction began in 1881, and the light was completed the following year.[4] A fog signal was added in 1884, and in 1894 a new flashing white lens manufactured by Barbier, Benard & Turenne of Paris was installed.[4]
In 1978, the station was automated, and in 1989 a 7.5-inch (190 mm) acrylic lens was installed, replacing the Fresnel.[4]
Further reading
- Passage Island Light Station, Survey number HABS MI-385, Historic American Buildings Survey
- Passage Island Light Station, Lighthouse, Survey number HABS MI-385-A, Historic American Buildings Survey
- Passage Island Light Station, Fog Signal Building, Survey number HABS MI-385-B, Historic American Buildings Survey
- Passage Island Light Station, Oil Storage Building, Survey number HABS MI-385-C, Historic American Buildings Survey
- Passage Island Light Station, Privy Building, Survey number HABS MI-385-D, Historic American Buildings Survey
- Passage Island Light Station, Tramway Equipment Building, Survey number HABS MI-385-E, Historic American Buildings Survey
- Passage Island Light Station, Pump House, Survey number HABS MI-385-F, Historic American Buildings Survey
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Passage Island Light from the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, retrieved 8/19/09
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Passage Island Light Station from "Seeing the Light," retrieved 9/18/09