|
Built in 1867 in the center of Michigan's Munising Bay, gateway to the Grand Island National Recreation Area, Alger Underwater Preserve and the Picture Rocks National Seashore, sits the old majestic Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse.
It is seen and photographed by thousands of tourists via the Picture Rocks Cruises and Grand Island Charters Glass Bottom Boat tours which make it their first stop on their numerous tours. It appears on sweatshirts, tee-shirts, coffee mugs, post cards, advertisements, and calendars. It is positively one of Michigan's most recognizable landmarks. However, if something is not done soon, a state where the lighthouse is the state symbol, may be soon lose one of those symbols. The Grand Island East Channel Light, known locally as "South Light," is now in imminent danger of collapse. Only the financial help of people that love lighthouses and want to see our maritime history preserved will save it.
Waves are washing up against the foundation, the tower is shaky to say the least, to dangerous in fact for anyone to climb it, lest it might come crashing down around them. Yet recent visits by restoration experts say the lighthouse can be saved. The first step would be to create a breakwater to keep the water from creating further erosion and damage to the foundation.
The lighthouse has an interesting history. It was one of the first lighthouses constructed on Lake Superior after the opening of the Soo Locks in 1855. It served as a significant aid to navigation for 40 years, however it was decommissioned way back in 1913. In 1915, the 44 acre site was sold to a 'club' of 20 members who distributed the lots among themselves with each having part ownership in the lighthouse structure itself. Over the years the lots were, combined, traded, passed along and sold to the point where numerous owners possess part interest in the lighthouse including the National Forest Service who now owns most of the island as part of the Grand Island National Recreation Area.
Recently the Historical Society designated a group to look into the condition of the lighthouse and the "Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse Rescue Committee" was officially formed. The committee is made up of private citizens, island landowners, business owners, federal and local agency representatives, community leaders and historical society members. A mission statement was developed, subcommittees formed and each group began its respective tasks.
Because of the varied ownership, and because of its rustic charm, it was decided that the lighthouse should be preserved in a stable protected state while continuing to maintain its rustic worn "old sentinel" look rather than bring it back to its original pristine appearance. Instead the Rescue members felt that one of the most attractive features of the lighthouse and why so many people want to photograph it is because of its "romantic" semi-ruin condition. So, for the present, the plans call to preserve it with that appearance, which in it self will be difficult to do.
The idea of letting a lighthouse collapse and be destroyed is unthinkable to lighthouse aficionados. Some "nonbelievers" might ask why anyone would want to save this lighthouse which technically is not owned by or open to the public.
The answer is simple . . . Whenever possible it's vital that we make every effort to save our nations maritime history and landmarks-and with financial aid this lighthouse can be saved! What we don't want is to someday see a plaque where the lighthouse once stood and say to our grand-children, "this is where a lighthouse once stood, it was built to save lives, it was part of our history, but after its usefulness was over, no one cared and we let it be destroyed." One need only thumb through the pages of the new book, Lost Lighthouses to see just a few of the many historic lighthouses this nation has lost. We don't want Grand Island to be in the next edition of Lost Lighthouses!
The ability to view this rustic weather-beaten old relic stirs our souls just as much as a dramatic sunset or a spectacular landscape. Except, this is part of our history. This is part of our heritage. It must not be lost. We must save it!
The American Lighthouse Foundation has pledged to help save this old beacon, but it needs your help. The donations have not amounted to much, yet.
The American Lighthouse Foundation has agreed to match dollar for dollar the first $2500.00 that is sent to help save the Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse. That's $5,000.00 to help the "Rescue" group.
We need your help!
Time is running out. Please send your tax deductible contribution to:
American Lighthouse Foundation
Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse
P.O. Box 889
Wells, Maine 04090
This story appeared in the
January 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.
All contents copyright © 1995-2024 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.
| 