Crisp Point Light

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Crisp Point Light
Undated United States Coast Guard photo
Location Lake Superior shoreline, Michigan
Coordinates 46°45.173′N 85°15.440′W / 46.752883°N 85.257333°W / 46.752883; -85.257333Coordinates: 46°45.173′N 85°15.440′W / 46.752883°N 85.257333°W / 46.752883; -85.257333
Year first lit 1904
Deactivated 1947
Foundation poured concrete
Construction brick
Tower shape conical
Markings / pattern White W/Black Lantern
Height Tower - 58 feet (18 m)
Focal height Focal plane - 62 feet (19 m){{{focalheight}}}
Original lens Fourth Order Fresnel lens
Range 15 miles (24 km)
ARLHS number USA-203

Crisp Point Light Station was one of five U.S. Life-Saving Service Stations along the coast of Lake Superior between Munising and Whitefish Point in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Located about fourteen miles (21 km) west of Whitefish Point, in 1876 it became Life Saving Station Number Ten, of the U.S. Life-Saving Service District 10 (later part of District 11). Crisp Point is named from one of the Life Saving Station keepers, Christopher Crisp, who is said to have been "an iron-willed boatman." Surfmen were stationed there to aid mariners and ships in distress. The station, along with the rest of the United States Life-Saving Service, was integrated into the United States Coast Guard in 1915. (In 1939 the U.S. Lighthouse Service also merged under the control of the Coast Guard).

The other four Life-Saving Stations were Vermilion Point (now Vermilion, Michigan), about five miles (8 km) east of Crisp Point, Two Hearted River, about five or six miles (10 km) west of Crisp Point, Deer Park, Michigan (formerly known as the Sucker River Station and Muskallonge Lake Station), about ten or eleven miles (18 km) west of Two Hearted River, and Grand Marais about fifteen or sixteen miles west of Deer Park.[1]

History

Crisp Point Lighthouse was first proposed in 1896 and every year thereafter until finally approved in June, 1902. Construction began one year later. The 15 acres (61,000 m2) of land was purchased at a price of $30.00. The deed was dated May 21, 1903. In the 58 feet (18 m) high tower a fourth order red Fresnel lens[2] by Sautter and Lemonnier of Paris, France was installed.[3] The light was displayed for the first time in May 1904.

The lighthouse tower is 58 feet (18 m) from base to the lantern's ventilator ball top.

This lighthouse and life saving station have undergone massive damage. All were destroyed by erosion, except for the tower and one wall of the entrance room. In the winter of 1997/98, the loss was stayed by the installation of one thousand cubic yards of stone in front of the tower. There are further plans for protection and stabilization as funds become available.[4]

The stretch of coast between Whitefish Point and Grand Island became known as "The Shipwreck Coast." On November 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a violent storm. It sank in Lake Superior about 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Crisp Point. The Fitzgerald's last radio communication was with the Coast Guard station at Grand Marais. In fact, some tourists go to the five life saving stations in an organized manner for a day trip.[5]

Undated USCG File: Lighthouse with keepers dwelling

Nearby, in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 the freighter Major (built in 1889) was stranded near the point; and the 1902 William Nottingham lost three men in the area, after they agreed to fetch assistance in a lifeboat, which overturned as they embarked. See, Shipwrecks of the 1913 Great Lakes storm and List of victims of the 1913 Great Lakes storm.

This light was almost completely lost due to the elements and neglect.[3] Also demolished were the original white frame boathouse, barn, brick oil house and two outbuildings. In 1997-98, one thousand cubic yards of stone were placed in front of the tower to stabilize and protect it.[6]

Ownership of Crisp Point Light was transferred from the Coast Guard to Luce County in February, 1997 under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966,[7] which is the predecessor to the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Present

The Crisp Point Light is now a center for renovation and renewal. Under the direction of the Crisp Point Lighthouse Historical Society, and other cooperating organizations, there are recurring events at the site.[8] Once on the "Doomsday List", the lighthouse has been returned to pristine condition.[9] The service building that was destroyed years ago has been rebuilt. And a visitor center has been built next to the parking lot. The visitor center contains bathrooms, a very small shop, and a little museum. A fourth order Fresnel lens has been loaned to the society for display.[10]


See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Crisp Point Light Historical Society.
  2. ↑ Fresnel lens at Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Colt, Edin, "Crisp Point Light" Boatnerd.com.
  4. ↑ Michigan lighthouse fund, Crisp Point Light.
  5. ↑ Lifesaving tour.
  6. ↑ Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Crisp Point Light.
  7. ↑ Crisp Point Lighthouse history.
  8. ↑ Crisp Point Lighthouse Organization, Calendar of Events.
  9. ↑ "2008 Featured Lighthouse", Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival 2008 informational pamphlet, p.3.
  10. ↑ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

External links

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