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The Saginaw River Rear Range Light, which was once considered for the Doomsday List of endangered lighthouses, is now being saved, thanks to some dedicated volunteers and help from one of the biggest chemical companies in the world.
Although the Coast Guard used the structure as late as 1980, the 1867 building was discontinued as a lighthouse in 1967. It was later sold to a private individual and, eventually, suffered damage at the hands of vandals and the elements.
In 1989, when Dow Chemical purchased the property, they boarded up the structure to prevent further deterioration and to keep the vandals and birds out. They then had two architectural studies done to find out just what it would cost to restore the historic property.
Finally, a deal was struck between Dow Chemical and the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society to restore the lighthouse. Proving once again that volunteers and big business can work together as a team, the agreement called for the historical society to do the restoration work, and Dow Chemical would fund most of it. The local school children, as part of a lighthouse program, raised $462.00 in pennies for the restoration project.
Dow Chemical spokesman Eric Grates said, “This lighthouse has been a fixture in the community for many, many years and an important part of history.” Don Comtois of the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society couldn’t agree more, saying that the lighthouse, while important to Michigan’s history, is just as important to United States maritime history.” Comtois said, Working with the people at Dow Chemical is a pleasure; they have gone out of their way to help.”
So far a new roof has been installed, new glass has gone in the windows and the grounds have been cleaned up. Although there are no plans to open the lighthouse to the public at the present time, the long-range goal is to have a museum in the keeper’s quarters.
For more information on the Saginaw River Rear Range Light, or to make a donation contact:
Saginaw River Marine Historical Society
P.O. Box 2051
Bay City, MI 48707-2051
This story appeared in the
August 2000 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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