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Although a life-sized sculpture at Michigan’s Old Presque Isle Lighthouse resembles lighthouse keeper Patrick Garrity Sr., it was installed at the lighthouse to honor all lighthouse keepers.
The sculpture, which was the brainchild of local resident Debbie Trelfa, cost approximately $4,500 and was paid for through a grant, donations, and fundraisers. The sculpture was made by artist Dawn Barr.
Patrick Garrity, Sr. was the lighthouse keeper at the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse until it was discontinued in 1871 when he was transferred to the nearby New Presque Isle Lighthouse. He also served as the keeper of the Presque Isle Front Range Lighthouse. Interestingly, his son, Patrick Garrity, Jr. and his daughter, Anna, also had careers as lighthouse keepers.
Both the old and the new Presque Isle Lighthouses are among Michigan’s more popular lighthouse tourist destinations. Because of their proximity to Alpena, many people who attend the annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival every October make the pilgrimage to visit the towers. Both lighthouses also have museums and are open for public climbing.
Although the sculpture depicts Garrity in a lighthouse keeper’s uniform, the sculptor, for some reason, did not include the emblem of the U.S. Lighthouse Service on his hat.
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