Rubicon Township in Port Hope in Huron County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Life Saving Station
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 12, 2023
1. Life Saving Station Marker
In 1875 the supply ship Haze delivered materials to Pointe au Barques to construct a lifesaving station located 300 yards south of the lighthouse. September 15, 1876 the Class A station opened in the morning, making it the first lifesaving station on the Great Lakes. Class A was the finest station of its time with boat shed, boat maintenance and rebuilding shop, dining area, watch tower, ice house, Captains quarters, quarters for oarsmen with families and other necessary buildings. In the early days Class A stations were built only in the most remote and desolate areas to attract men to the young service.
You have to go out, but you do not have to come back
The day of April 23, 1880 is known as "Black Friday" among Life Savers. Captain Kiah and his six oarsmen challenged stormy Lake Huron with tragic results. The unruly Lake capsized and swamped the boat several times. One by one the six men succumbed to the Lake's fury. Captain Kiah was the only survivor.
The station created one of the best records within the District and the Lakes. During its tenure more than 200 missions were completed by the Pointe aux Barques Station, until it was decommissioned in 1937.
An interesting note, in 1915 the U.S. Life Saving Service and the U.S. Revenue Service were joined to
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1876.
Location. 44° 1.361′ N, 82° 47.591′ W. Marker is in Port Hope, Michigan, in Huron County. It is in Rubicon Township. Marker can be reached from Park Drive near Gulick Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7320 Lighthouse Road, Port Hope MI 48468, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Daniel J. Morrell (here, next to this marker); The Great Lakes (a few steps from this marker); Oil House (a few steps from this marker); Life Saving Service, Station 2 (a few steps from this marker); Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Storm of 1913 (a few steps from this marker); Brigantine E. Cohen (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Hope.
Also see . . . Life Saving Station Coming Home. Excerpt:
Commissioned in 1876, the station originally was located next to the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse.(Submitted on June 24, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
In the 1960s, it was purchased to avoid demolition, and moved to the Huron City Museums complex.
“After all these years of caretaking it’s simply appropriate that that building should go back to where it originally was,” Parcells said.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 12, 2023
2. Life Saving Station Marker
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 12, 2023
3. Life Saving Station
Original buildings that have been recovered and in the process of being restored at their initial location.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 12, 2023
4. Life Saving Station
Original buildings that have been recovered and in the process of being restored at their initial location.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 12, 2023
5. Lighthouse Park Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 35 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 24, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
