Tawas Point Light
Tawas Point Light
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| Location | Baldwin Township, Iosco County Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 44°15′14″N 83°26′56″W / 44.254°N 83.449°WCoordinates: 44°15′14″N 83°26′56″W / 44.254°N 83.449°W |
| Year first constructed | 1853 |
| Year first lit | 1853 |
| Construction | Brick and masonry |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Markings / pattern | white w/black lantern attached brick cottage w/red roof |
| Height | 67 feet (20 m) |
| Focal height | 70 feet (21 m) |
| Original lens | Fifth order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | white 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi); red 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) |
| Characteristic | Oc W 4s (R sector) Red from 045° to 135° |
| Fog signal | HORN: 2 blasts ev 60s (3s bl- 3s si-3s bl-51s si). 3,150 feet, 232° from light. Operates May 1 to Oct. 20. |
| ARLHS number | USA-837 |
| USCG number |
7-11240 |
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Tawas Point Light
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| Built | 1876 |
| NRHP Reference # | 84001453 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | July 19, 1984 |
| Designated MSHS | April 23, 1971 |
| Heritage | place listed on the National Register of Historic Places 
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7-11240
Tawas Point Light is located in the Tawas Point State Park off Tawas Bay in Lake Huron in Baldwin Township in Northern Michigan.
In 1850, Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of a lighthouse. In 1852, construction started, and the lighthouse was commissioned in 1853. After the lighthouse was built, many problems were encountered. Shifting sands caused the point to be extended by nearly a mile. The original light was a 5th Order Fresnel lens, later upgraded when the building was replaced.
In 1867, the Inspector of the lighthouse said that the lighthouse was wearing down to the point where they should consider renovating it. The Lighthouse Board ignored his request to put more money in the lighthouse because they had bigger problems at hand in Ottawa Point. The waves caused sand build-up by the Point, which added almost a mile, more of land. The lighthouse was so far inland that mariners were unable to see the lighthouse's light. To add to the problem this lighthouse was known for its dim light. With all these problems combined, it caused a shipwreck from Captain Olmstead's schooner "Dolphin". He blamed the lighthouse stating that it was too dim to see the light. This caused the Lighthouse board to reconsider their option at renovating or rebuilding a new one. In 1875 Congress approved a $30,000 amount for a brand new lighthouse. They finished building the lighthouse sometime in 1877.
It was originally known as Ottawa Point. The name was officially changed to Tawas Point in 1902. The point is a substantial hazard to navigation. Additionally, because it is tucked behind the point, Tawas Bay is an ideal shelter from storms, wind and waves out of the north and northeast. The point juts out into Lake Huron, and has been getting much larger over time. A map is available, which shows the accretion. The original light was begun in 1852, and completed in 1853. The light was fueled at various times by lard oil, then kerosene, and the current light is of course now electric. This is the second lighthouse on the point.
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Wikipedia