Digest>Archives> Jan/Feb 2014

DeTour Reef Lighthouse Honored with Historical Marker

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Michigan’s restored DeTour Reef Light Station.
Photo by: Jeri Baron Feltner

The Michigan Historical Commission (MHC) of the Michigan Department of Transportation has recognized the DeTour Reef Light Station as a significant part of Michigan’s history by awarding it an official State of Michigan Registered Historic Site #2252 historical marker.

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The new DeTour Reef Light Station Historical ...
Photo by: Dr. Richard D. Borth

The sponsor of the marker, the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society, erected the marker and held a dedication ceremony to commemorate this significant accomplishment this past September 28th. The marker is located on M-134 five miles west of DeTour Village at the far eastern end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

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The team from the DeTour Reef Light Preservation ...
Photo by: Anne O’Connell

Over 50 people attend the unveiling and dedication, including Dick Moehl, past president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association; Jeri Baron Feltner, Founding Director of the DeTour Reef Preservation Society; and Terry Pepper, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association. Also among those in attendance were Floyd Colvin, who was a DeTour Lighthouse keeper from 1969-71, and Harry Ashley and Mike Ashley, who are brothers of lighthouse keeper Don Ashley who drowned in 1971 while boating to shore for supplies. Many of those in attendance had also contributed funds for the marker.

Michigan Historical Commissioner Tom Truscott stated at the dedication, “The hard work and dedication in restoring the DeTour Reef Light was the most outstanding project I’ve had the honor of dedicating. The DeTour Reef Light Station has played a vital role in history of not only our country but the freedom of the world.”

Located a mile offshore in northern Lake Huron at the far eastern end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula guarding the entrance to DeTour Passage in the St. Mary’s River connecting to Lake Superior, the DeTour Reef Light has been shining its beacon since 1931. The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society, established in 1998 by local volunteers, restored the lighthouse with federal, state, and private funds. Since 2005 they have offered successful public tours and overnight keeper programs.

This story appeared in the Jan/Feb 2014 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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