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 Minnesota Historical Society series list. 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 This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.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. Marker was in Split Rock Lighthouse
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Steam Engine Hoist (here, next to this marker); The Gales of November (here, next to this marker); Oil House (within shouting distance of this marker); Geology of the Split Rock Region (within shouting distance of this marker); Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fog Signal (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Away From Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Storage Barn (within shouting distance of this marker).
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 Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2014
2. Steam Hoist Engine Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
