Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Steam Hoist Engine
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2014
1. Steam Hoist Engine Marker
This concrete platform is all that remains of the building that housed the steam hoist engine that was used in constructing Split Rock Lighthouse.
Everything needed for building the light station in 1909-10 came by boat. The hoist engine powered a winch that was attached to a derrick hanging over the side of the cliff. Supplies (and sometimes people, too) were loaded into a crate, and then slowly winched up to the top.
What happened to the hoist?
The keepers continued to use the hoist until 1915, when a storm blew over the engine. The next year a tramway was built on the other side of the lighthouse. The hoist engine and derrick were dismantled and sold.
You can see a "twin" of the hoist engine in the visitors' center.
Photos MHS [collection]
Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Minnesota Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 47° 12.025′ N, 91° 21.972′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region, in the Iron Range, and in the North Shore. It was also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, in the Great North Woods, on Lake Superiors North Shore, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Steam Engine Hoist (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Gales of November (here, next to this marker); Oil House (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Rock Point (within shouting distance of
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2014
2. Steam Hoist Engine Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Gales of November (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Split Rock Lighthouse State Park MN. (Submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
