Bete Grise Light

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Bete Grise Light

Location:	Bete Grise, Michigan
Year first constructed:	1895
Deactivated:	1956
Construction:	Brick
Tower shape:	Square
Markings/Pattern:	Yellow with black lantern
Height:	44 feet
Original lens:	4th Order Fresnel Lens

The Bete Grise Light, more commonly referred to as the Mendota light was built here to facilitate travel between Lake Superior and Lac La Belle (there being an artificial cut having been made to connect the two). The original plans were laid in 1867 and the lighthouse was constructed in 1869. Only 1 year later, the light was decommissioned as it was found by the navigators to be of no assistance (nor was there any other commercial reason to make this trip).

The tower was removed and taken to Marquette, but the keepers house remained in place. In 1892, ships tried to use this bay for a safe harbor during a storm and observing the house (at this point deserted), suggested that the harbor would be easier to find if there was a light present. By 1895, funds had been allocated to re-establish the light, but it was determined that the existing structure had deteriorated suffiently that it couldn't be used. A new structure was built using the original foundations.[1]

In 1933 the light was automated and in 1956 it was decommissioned.

It was a private residence until 1996. The lighthouse, largely unreachable because it sits on an island. was for sale in 1996.^[1]. It was sold to a person willing to conserve the light. The original fourth order Fresnel lens was found, restored and in 1998 relit. Efforts are being made to maintain the light for the "next 100 years". [2]

To view the light, travel to the Keewenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan to the town of Bete Grise. The road ends at the Mendota Ship Canal. Take the short walk to the the Ship Canal. You will see the station boathouse across the Canal, and the Mendota Light itself a little to the East.

National Register Status: PART OF LISTING; Reference #80004840 Name of Listing: HISTORIC ENGINEERING & INDUSTRIAL SITES IN MICHIGAN TR.^[2]

[edit] Bibliography and further reading

Bibliography on Michigan lighthouses.
Crompton, Samuel Willard & Michael J. Rhein, The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses (2002) ISBN 1592231020; ISBN 978-1592231027.
Hyde, Charles K., and Ann and John Mahan. The Northern Lights: Lighthouses of the Upper Great Lakes. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995. ISBN 0814325548 ISBN 9780814325544.
Jones, Ray & Bruce Roberts, American Lighthouses (Globe Pequot, September 1, 1998, 1st Ed.) ISBN 0762703245; ISBN 978-0762703241.
Jones, Ray,The Lighthouse Encyclopedia, The Definitive Reference (Globe Pequot, January 1, 2004, 1st ed.) ISBN 0762727357; ISBN 978-0762727353.
Noble, Dennis, Lighthouses & Keepers: U. S. Lighthouse Service and Its Legacy (Annapolis: U. S. Naval Institute Press, 1997). ISBN 1557506388; ISBN 9781557506382.
Oleszewski, Wes, Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses, (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) ISBN 0-932212-98-0.
Penrod, John, Lighthouses of Michigan, (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) ISBN 9780942618785 ISBN 9781893624238.
Pepper, Terry. Seeing the Light: Lighthouses on the western Great Lakes.
Putnam, George R., Lighthouses and Lightships of the United States, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1933).
Splake, T. Kilgore. Superior Land Lights. Battle Creek, MI: Angst Productions, 1984.
United States Coast Guard, Aids to Navigation, (Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1945).
United States Coast Guard, Aids to Navigation Historical Bibliography.
Wagner, John L.. Beacons Shining in the Night: The Lighthouses of Michigan. Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.
Wagner, John L., Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective, (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) ISBN 1880311011 ISBN 9781880311011.
Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia, Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) ISBN 1550463993.