Menominee Pier Light

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Menominee Pier Light
Location Menominee, Michigan
Coordinates 45°06′N 87°35′W / 45.100°N 87.583°W / 45.100; -87.583Coordinates: 45°06′N 87°35′W / 45.100°N 87.583°W / 45.100; -87.583
Year first lit 1927
Automated 1972
Foundation Concrete pier
Construction Cast iron
Tower shape Octagonal
Markings / pattern red Daymark with black lantern and white base
Height Tower - 34 feet (10 m)
Focal height Focal plane - 46 feet (14 m){{{focalheight}}}
Original lens Fourth Order Fresnel lens
Current lens 300 mm Tideland Signal acrylic
Range 10 nautical miles (19 km)
Characteristic Fl R 4s
ARLHS number USA-490
USCG number 7-21935
Menominee Pierhead Light Station
Nearest city Menominee, Michigan
Area less than one acre
Built 1877
Governing body Federal
MPS Light Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP Reference # 05000738[1]
Added to NRHP July 27, 2005

The Menominee North Pier lighthouse is located in the harbor of Menominee, Michigan. The station was established in 1877. The current structure and its still operational light was first lit in 1927, and automated in 1972.[2] It is also sometimes called the "Menominee (Marinette) North Pierhead Light".[3]

The foundation is a concrete pier. The 34-foot (10 m) tall octagonal cast iron building is marked in a distinctive red, with a black lantern and white base. A Fourth Order Fresnel lens was originally installed, but was replaced with a modern 300 mm. acrylic optic lens.[4] The original lens is now at Sand Point Light in Escanaba, Michigan.[5] The focal plane is 46 feet.[6]

The building originally had a diaphone fog signal structure attached, and it was later removed. The iron catwalk was removed in 1972 when the light was automated.[7]

This light is paired with a large rear range light.[8] That is denominated the Menominee (Marinette) North Pier light, and is also an active aid to navigation. Its focal plane 59 ft (18 m), and its characteristic is a continuous red light. The tower is a 50 ft (15 m) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with gallery. It is painted red, and located on the Menominee North Pier about 600 ft (180 m) from the pierhead light.[9] It may be accessed by walking the pier. The site is open, but the tower is closed. U.S. Coast Guard. USCG 7-21940.[3]

Directions

US 41 enters Menominee and makes a 90 degree turn onto 10th Avenue (heading east to west) as it passes through downtown. Go east on 10th Avenue towards Lake Michigan to 1st street. Turn south onto 1st Street, then turn east onto Harbor Drive. Harbor Drive parallels the lakeshore, ending at a parking lot. A short walk on a wooden walkway leads to the large, flat breakwater.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09. 
  2. ↑ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 
  4. ↑ Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, 300 mm. acrylic optic lens.
  5. ↑ Wobser, David, Menoninee Pier Light at Boatnerds.com.
  6. ↑ National Park Service, Maritime Herirage Inventory of Historic Lights, Menoninee Pier Light.
  7. ↑ Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Menoninee Pier Light.
  8. ↑ Lighthoues R US, Menoninee Pier Lights.
  9. ↑ See the photo, National Park Service, Maritime Heritage Inventory of Historic Lights, Menoninee North Pier Light.
  10. ↑ Lighthouse friends, Menoninee North Pier Light.
Undated USCG aerial photo, showing catwalk (since removed)

External links

Early undated USCG image of light and attached fog signal building
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