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Thunder Bay Island Light

Thunder Bay Island
Thunderbayisland.jpg
Thunder Bay Island Light' undated USCG
Thunder Bay Island Light is located in Michigan
Thunder Bay Island Light
Location Alpena County, Michigan
Coordinates 45°02′30″N 83°12′00″W / 45.04167°N 83.20000°W / 45.04167; -83.20000Coordinates: 45°02′30″N 83°12′00″W / 45.04167°N 83.20000°W / 45.04167; -83.20000
Year first constructed 1857 (station established 1831)
Year first lit 1857
Foundation Dressed stone and timber
Construction Limestone
Tower shape Frustum of a cone with attached keeper's residence
Markings / pattern White with red lantern
Height Tower – 63 feet (19 m)
Focal height Focal plane – 59 feet (18 m)
Original lens Fourth-order Fresnel lens
Range 17
Characteristic Al GW 20s
ARLHS number USA-847
USCG number

7-11495

Thunder Bay Island Light Station
Nearest city Alpena, Michigan
Area 2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built 1832
MPS U.S. Coast Guard Lighthouses and Light Stations on the Great Lakes TR
NRHP Reference # 84001371
Added to NRHP July 19, 1984
Heritage place listed on the National Register of Historic Places Edit this on Wikidata
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7-11495

Thunder Bay Island Light, located on Thunder Bay Island's southeast tip, is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in Michigan. The third operating U.S. lighthouse in Lake Huron was built here in 1831, but it disintegrated almost at once and was rebuilt in 1832 of local limestone. This 40-foot (12 m) 1830s light tower was raised 10 feet (3.0 m)) to a height of 50 feet (15 m) in 1857, and sheathed with brick. A fourth order Fresnel lens was installed. This 1857 light tower is the current Thunder Bay Island Light, although the tower has been further altered and is currently 63 feet (19 m) high.

A fog bell was installed in 1858, and the lightkeeper's house was rebuilt in 1868. A steam-powered fog horn was added in 1871, and a fog signal building sheltering the fog signal apparatus was constructed in 1892.

The lighthouse was manned during the seasons of Great Lakes navigation from 1832 until automation in 1983, more than 150 years.

The Thunder Bay Island Light was automated in 1983. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1984; however, the lighthouse and adjoining infrastructure resources have deteriorated since automation. In 1997 the United States Coast Guard leased Thunder Bay Island Light to the Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society (TBILPS).

Under TBILPS's guidance, the light has been the object of an intense rescue effort. They have been the subject of a feature article in Lighthouse Digest.

In 2004, Stephen B. Tongue and TBILPS published a book on Thunder Bay Island's history and heritage, with proceeds assigned to the historic preservation of the island.


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