Charlevoix South Pier Light Station
Encyclopedia
The Charlevoix South Pier Light Station is located on Lake Michigan
at the entrance to Lake Charlevoix
in Charlevoix County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
at the end of the south pier/breakwater of the channel leading to Round Lake in the city of Charlevoix
.
station was built just north of the lighthouse in 1898 and an oil shed was built in 1890. The first tower was 56 feet (17.1 m) tall, with a 61 feet (18.6 m) focal height.
The original structure survived for 63 years, but due to terminal deterioration the decision was made to replace it in 1947. In 1948 the new steel structure was installed and the light was moved to its current location on the south pier where the lens and lantern from the old structure were transferred to the new one. The skeletal structure and general configuration of this light shares some design elements with the Alpena Light. The South Pierhead light was originally painted Daymark
red.
In 1965, because the Pine River channel is near a congested area, the Coast Guard vacated the old U.S. Life-Saving Service
Station (tearing down the shingled building), and relocated to the grounds of the old Lighthouse Supply Station.
In 1989, the present steel and concrete pier replaced the old wooden pier with its concrete covering. The present piers and revetments were constructed in the 1970s and 1980s. The construction is specially designed to withstand unusually forceful wave pressures, and to protect the harbor. As Terry Pepper wrote:
The skeletal north pierhead tower has since been removed.
The 300 mm Tideland Signal acrylic lens is described as a medium range modern Great Lakes lens with a maximum range of 10 nmi (18.5 km).
The North Pierhead Light is at coordinates 45 19 18 N 85 15 54 W, and its characteristic is Flashing Green 2.5 seconds. Its range is 10 nautical miles (18.5 km). The current tower is 20 feet (6.1 m) and it is an active aid to navigation. The former North tower's height is 56 feet (17.1 m), with a focal plane of 61 feet (18.6 m).
Described as the Charlevoix South Pierhead Light (added 2005 - Structure - #05000346) and also known as the Charlevoix Pier Light, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
. Specifically, it is described as "S pier at harbor entrance, 0.3 WNW of US 31 drawbridge, Charlevoix". Although it was unmanned, the National Park System has recognized it as a "significant aid to navigation."
In 2009 the light was again painted red in keeping with the mariner's alliterative Mnemonic
"Red Right returning." For unknown reasons, previous Daymark
color schemes have been green, white. or originally red (until 1968). See Sea mark
.
A primary vessel benefiting from the Charlevoix Light is the Beaver Island
ferry.
The land based lighthouse keeper
's residence was sold to a private owner and demolished. The property became Hoffman Park, and all that remains is a metal plaque.
In 2008, ownership of the light was transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the City of Charlevoix/Charlevoix Historical Society. The transfer was completed under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act
.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
at the entrance to Lake Charlevoix
Lake Charlevoix
Lake Charlevoix is a lake in Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the third largest lake in the state with a surface area of over 17,200 acres and 56 miles of shoreline...
in Charlevoix County
Charlevoix County, Michigan
-Airports:*Beaver Island is served by two airlines:**Welke Airport**Beaver Island Airport-Ferry service:*Beaver Island Boat Company maintains a regular auto ferry from Charlevoix:*The Ironton Ferry at Ironton, Michigan crosses the south arm of Lake Charlevoix...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
at the end of the south pier/breakwater of the channel leading to Round Lake in the city of Charlevoix
Charlevoix, Michigan
Charlevoix is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,994. It is the county seat of Charlevoix County....
.
History
The first light in Charlevoix was located on the north pier. It was built in 1884 in order to guide ships to the newly improved Pine River channel. A lifesavingLifesaving
Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often refers to water safety and aquatic rescue however it could include ice rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and other emergency medical services. Lifesaving also refers to sport where lifesavers compete...
station was built just north of the lighthouse in 1898 and an oil shed was built in 1890. The first tower was 56 feet (17.1 m) tall, with a 61 feet (18.6 m) focal height.
The original structure survived for 63 years, but due to terminal deterioration the decision was made to replace it in 1947. In 1948 the new steel structure was installed and the light was moved to its current location on the south pier where the lens and lantern from the old structure were transferred to the new one. The skeletal structure and general configuration of this light shares some design elements with the Alpena Light. The South Pierhead light was originally painted Daymark
Daymark
A daymark or a day marker is a structure such as a tower constructed on land as an aid to navigation by sailors. While similar in concept to a lighthouse, a daymark does not have a light and so is usually only visible during daylight hours...
red.
In 1965, because the Pine River channel is near a congested area, the Coast Guard vacated the old U.S. Life-Saving Service
United States Life-Saving Service
The United States Life-Saving Service was a United States government agency that grew out of private and local humanitarian efforts to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and passengers...
Station (tearing down the shingled building), and relocated to the grounds of the old Lighthouse Supply Station.
In 1989, the present steel and concrete pier replaced the old wooden pier with its concrete covering. The present piers and revetments were constructed in the 1970s and 1980s. The construction is specially designed to withstand unusually forceful wave pressures, and to protect the harbor. As Terry Pepper wrote:
The skeletal north pierhead tower has since been removed.
The 300 mm Tideland Signal acrylic lens is described as a medium range modern Great Lakes lens with a maximum range of 10 nmi (18.5 km).
The North Pierhead Light is at coordinates 45 19 18 N 85 15 54 W, and its characteristic is Flashing Green 2.5 seconds. Its range is 10 nautical miles (18.5 km). The current tower is 20 feet (6.1 m) and it is an active aid to navigation. The former North tower's height is 56 feet (17.1 m), with a focal plane of 61 feet (18.6 m).
Described as the Charlevoix South Pierhead Light (added 2005 - Structure - #05000346) and also known as the Charlevoix Pier Light, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Specifically, it is described as "S pier at harbor entrance, 0.3 WNW of US 31 drawbridge, Charlevoix". Although it was unmanned, the National Park System has recognized it as a "significant aid to navigation."
In 2009 the light was again painted red in keeping with the mariner's alliterative Mnemonic
Mnemonic
A mnemonic , or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to make memorization easier. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often verbal, such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something,...
"Red Right returning." For unknown reasons, previous Daymark
Daymark
A daymark or a day marker is a structure such as a tower constructed on land as an aid to navigation by sailors. While similar in concept to a lighthouse, a daymark does not have a light and so is usually only visible during daylight hours...
color schemes have been green, white. or originally red (until 1968). See Sea mark
Sea mark
A sea mark, also seamark and navigation mark, is a form of aid to navigation and pilotage aid which identifies the approximate position of a maritime channel, hazard and administrative area to allow boats, ships and seaplanes to navigate safely....
.
A primary vessel benefiting from the Charlevoix Light is the Beaver Island
Beaver Island (Lake Michigan)
Beaver Island is the largest island in Lake Michigan and part of the Beaver Island archipelago. Once home to a unique American monarchy, the island is now a popular tourist and vacation destination....
ferry.
The land based lighthouse keeper
Lighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
's residence was sold to a private owner and demolished. The property became Hoffman Park, and all that remains is a metal plaque.
In 2008, ownership of the light was transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the City of Charlevoix/Charlevoix Historical Society. The transfer was completed under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act
National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act
The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 is American legislation creating a process for the transfer of federally-owned lighthouses into private hands...
.
Further reading
- Harrison, Tim (editor of Lighthouse DigestLighthouse DigestLighthouse Digest is a specialty magazine for lighthouse and maritime history enthusiasts published in East Machias, Maine. Launched in May, 1992, by FogHorn Publishing, it is dedicated to preserving lighthouse history, current and yesteryear, for future generations.-Scope:Coverage includes...
and President of the American Lighthouse Foundation), (September, 2009) Ghost Lights of Michigan (Rare historic images and text on Michigan's lost and obscure lighthouse, including bonus chapters on lightships and lighthouse tenders.) East Machias, Maine: Foghorn Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9778293-3-0.
External links
- Aerial photos, Charlevoix South Pier Light Station, marinas.com.
- Anderson, Kraig, Lighthouse Friends, description Charlevoix South Pier Light.
- http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/michigan/charlevoix/charlevoix07.htmAntique PostcardPostcardA postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
, South Pier Light after 1914 move] from Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light. - http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/michigan/charlevoix/charlevoix09.htmAntique (ca. 1955) PostcardPostcardA postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
, South Pier Light with original red paint] from Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light. - Charlevoix Historical Society website
- Charlevoix Historical Society, Keep the Light on website.
- Interactive map/list/information of lighthouses in northeastern Lake Michigan by LighthousesRus
- Michigan Lighthouse project, Charlevoix South Pier
- Keepers of the Charlevoix Light at Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.
- Map of Michigan Lighthouses from Michigan.gov
- Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Charlevoix Light Station.