South Haven in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
South Haven Lighthouse
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
1. South Haven Lighthouse Marker
The first light was erected in 1872 at the end of a 225 foot wooden pier that had been in use since 1861. The square pyramid wooden structure consisted of two rooms mounted on a raised platform. The bottom room was for oil storage, the top room housed the lamp. The lamp was lit at ten minutes before sunset, and by midnight, it was necessary to change lamps as the oil in the first one was nearly depleted by that time. At sunrise, the lamp was extinguished. Measuring 37'6" from the lake level to the tip of the flame of the lamp, the beacon could ordinarily be seen from 11 to 15 miles depending on weather conditions.
& The Appleyard family in memory of Richard & Allegra Appleyard
Erected by Historical Association of South Haven, The Appleyard family in memory of Richard & Allegra Appleyard, and Michigan Maritime Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Landmarks • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 42° 24.111′ N, 86° 17.016′ W. Marker is in South Haven, Michigan, in Van Buren
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lifesaving Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth of City Utilities (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Channel Piers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Over a Century of Tourism (about 300 feet away); Resort Industry (about 300 feet away); The Lightkeeper's Dwelling (about 600 feet away); Lumber Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named South Haven Lighthouse (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Haven.
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high posts. Marker is part of South Haven's Harbor Walk series.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. South Haven Harbor Walk
Also see . . .
1. The South Haven South Pierhead Light. Website homepage:
The South Haven South Pierhead Light is a lighthouse in Michigan, at the entrance to the Black River
2. Marker detail: First wooden pier and light tower
By the turn of the century, the wooden pier and light tower had already become a South Haven landmark. Notice the advertisement for Abell's Drug Store on the side of the pier.
2. South Haven, Michigan, Lighthouse Logs, 1872-1889. Western Michigan University website entry:
The lighthouse journals from South Haven, Michigan span from 1872 to 1889. James Donahue served as the keeper of the South Haven station for most of the period from 1872 to 1889. An earlier keeper, Captain William P. Bryan completed the first entries. The logs have been photographed to provide access to an insight into the daily duties of the light keeper. Donahue provides detailed entries about his daily activities and tasks in the Light Station, and descriptions about shipwrecks, including the name of the ship and the fate of the crew. In addition to accounts of the operation of the lighthouse, Donahue also provided intimate insights into the lives of his family and sometimes community members. (Submitted on June 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. South Haven Harbor Walk. This South Haven Harbor Walk map shows the
3. Marker detail: Extending the pier
Every time the pier was lengthened, the pier had to be placed on a barge, floated to the middle of the river, and then reinstalled at the new pier head. The original wooden light tower was repositioned at least four times as the pier was extended 300' to 700'. It should also be noted that every time the South Pier was lengthened, the North Pier also had to be lengthened.
4. Marker detail: The two-masted schooner Annie Thorne
The two-masted schooner Annie Thorne as it leaves the harbor with a load of lumber for Chicago.
July 24, 2017
5. Marker detail: The first pier was built in 1861 and was 225 ft. long
Built during the first year of the Civil War, it would be another eleven years before the first harbor light was erected.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
6. South Haven Lighthouse Marker (wide view; lighthouse in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
7. South Haven Lighthouse
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
8. South Haven Lighthouse & Pier Catwalk
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
9. South Haven Lighthouse 2012 Donation Plaque (mounted on the lightouse door)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
10. South Pier and Black River Channel
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
11. South Haven Lighthouse Catwalk
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
12. South Haven Pier and Lighthouse (wide view)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 332 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 10, 11, 12. submitted on July 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
