Presque Isle in Presque Isle County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Presque Isle Front Range Light

Registered Michigan Historic Site

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

1. Presque Isle Front Range Light Marker

Inscription. In 1869 the U.S. Congress appropriated $7,500 to build two range lights marking the channel into Presque Isle Harbor. Orlando M. Poe submitted plans in May 1870, and by August the range lights were in operation as seafarers aligned the lights to direct them into the harbor. Anna Garraty, one of the few women light keepers, maintained this light from 1903 to 1926. In 1967 a light on a pole replaced the front range light, which was moved near the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse. Presque Isle Township acquired the building in 1995 with state funds and private donations. In 2002 it was moved here near its original site. Much of the lower structure has been rebuilt according to the original plans.

Erected 2006 by Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2176.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 45° 20.283′ N, 83° 29.5′ W. Marker is in Presque Isle, Michigan, in Presque Isle County. Marker is at the intersection of East Grand Lake Road and Range Light Lane, on the right

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when traveling north on East Grand Lake Road. Marker and subject light station are located across the road from the Range Light Beach parking lot, beside the access path for Range Light Beach. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5889 East Grand Lake Road, Presque Isle MI 49777, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. L. M. Mason (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Albany (about 300 feet away); Fame (about 300 feet away); Get Into Your Sanctuary (about 300 feet away); Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (approx. half a mile away); Presque Isle History (approx. half a mile away); Presque Isle Lighthouses (approx. half a mile away); Old Presque Isle Lighthouse (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Presque Isle.

Also see . . .
1. Presque Isle Range Lighthouse. Presque Isle Lighthouse was established in 1840 to serve both as a coastal light and as a harbor light, but when its keeper’s dwelling needed to be rebuilt in 1868, the Lighthouse Board decided that it would be better to use the allocated funds toward building separate lights to better perform these functions. Separated by 1,000 feet, the range lights were located on the western shore of Presque Isle Harbor. Mariners were instructed that when approaching the harbor they should bring the two lights in range, one above the other, and continue on that line to safe anchorage.

Presque Isle Front Range Light Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

2. Presque Isle Front Range Light Marker (tall view)

Aligning one’s vessel with a pair of range lights is akin to aligning the sites of a gun on a target. (Submitted on July 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Presque Isle Front Range Lighthouse. (This link presents a photo of the Front Range Lighthouse before restoration.) (Submitted on July 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Presque Isle Front Range Light and Park – Lake Huron. The light is now the centerpiece of Range Light Park, which features a boardwalk, covered picnic pavilion, a small playground, restroom and a Presque Isle Harbor beach/swimming area. (Submitted on July 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

4. Keeper Isaac Codington. Keeper Isaac Codington served until his death in 1875, whereupon Captain William Sims was placed in charge of the lights. Born in Ireland in 1835, Sims immigrated to the United States while young and later sailed on the Great Lakes, eventually becoming a captain. Legend has it that Sims’ wife Adeline overhead the proceedings of a Masonic meeting held at the lighthouse, and to keep her quiet, she was made a Mason. Adeline passed away in 1881 and was buried along the range line. Her gravestone, marked with the masonic square and compass, is adjacent to Presque Isle Range Light Park, where the restored front range tower now stands. (Submitted on July 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Presque Isle Front Range Light Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

3. Presque Isle Front Range Light Marker (wide view)

Presque Isle Front Range Light House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

4. Presque Isle Front Range Light House

Front Range Light Restoration Plaque<br>(<i>on left side of light house</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

5. Front Range Light Restoration Plaque
(on left side of light house)

1870 Front Range Light
on Presque Isle Harbor
Restored by the
Robert Burskey Family
2004

Isaac Coddington Memorial Plaque<br>(<i>on right side of light house</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

6. Isaac Coddington Memorial Plaque
(on right side of light house)

In Memory of
Isaac Coddington
and Family
Civil War Veteran, farmer light keeper
The first keeper of the
Presque Isle Range Light
from September 1870 – June 1875
Dedicated by the
Ida M. Coddington and
William H. Crawford Families
of Hillman, MI
2011

Anna Garrity Statue (<i>located near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

7. Anna Garrity Statue (located near marker)

Anna Garrity Statue Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

8. Anna Garrity Statue Plaque

The Range Light
This statue is in Honor of Keeper
”Anna Garrity”
For her faithful service to Presque Isle
And to the women who served on the Great Lakes Coast Line.
Thank you for your dedication, loyalty and contributions.

”No person was ever honored for what they received.
Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”
~President Calvin Coolidge

Statue funded by: The Citizens of Presque Isle
and in memory of William B. Schwartz
Artist – Dawn Barr

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 285 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7, 8. submitted on August 14, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.