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

Presque Isle Light Station

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, November 28, 2004

1. Presque Isle Light Station Marker

Inscription. This lighthouse, built in 1870 by Orlando M. Poe, is one of three Great Lakes towers built from the same plans. It replaced the smaller 1840 harbor light. The conical brick tower rises 113 feet from a limestone foundation. The Third Order Fresnel lens was made by Henri LePaute of Paris. Patrick Garrity, the keeper of the harbor light, lit the lamp for the first time at the opening of the 1871 navigation season. Garrity served here until 1885 when he became keeper of the Harbor Range Lights. His wife, Mary, sons Thomas, Patrick and John, and daughter Anna all served as light keepers in this area. In 1890 a steam-operated fog signal manufactured by Variety Iron Works of Cleveland, Ohio, was installed. The light was automated in 1970 by the United States Coast Guard.

Erected 1990 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number 1563.)

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 1870.

Location. 45° 21.35′ N, 83° 29.483′ W. Marker is in Presque Isle, Michigan, in Presque Isle County. Marker can be reached

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from East Grand Lake Road, half a mile north of Presque Isle Park Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. 1905 Keeper’s House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanctuary Sentinels (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tramway & Tramway Cart (about 400 feet away); Lester R. Nichols II (about 500 feet away); Old Presque Isle Lighthouse (approx. 0.9 miles away); Presque Isle Lighthouses (approx. one mile away); Presque Isle History (approx. one mile away); Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Presque Isle.

Also see . . .
1. Seeing the Light - New Presque Isle Light. Built in 1870, this "new" light replaced the original 1840 lighthouse. (Submitted on February 3, 2011.)

2. Seeing the Light - Old Presque Isle Light. A detailed history of original light house, built in 1840 which includes vintage photos. (Submitted on February 3, 2011.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

2. Presque Isle Light Station Marker

Presque Isle Light Station and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

3. Presque Isle Light Station and Marker

Presque Isle Light Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, November 28, 2004

4. Presque Isle Light Station

New Presque Isle Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

U.S. Coast Guard Photograph (Public Domain)

5. New Presque Isle Lighthouse

On Lake Huron in Michigan.

Presque Isle Light Station’s Transmitter image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

6. Presque Isle Light Station’s Transmitter

This radio transmitter and aluminum antenna is the light station’s electronic equivalent. It is on the catwalk below the light room.

Spherical Panorama From the Light’s Catwalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

7. Spherical Panorama From the Light’s Catwalk

The view from left to right is north, east, and south. The structure was placed away from the shoreline on high ground. Before roads were built, supplies were pushed up to the lighthouse on barrows that ran on narrow rails.

Presque Isle Light Station, Michigan image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

8. Presque Isle Light Station, Michigan

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 29, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.