Crisp Point Light
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Crisp_Point_Light".

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Crisp Point Light

Undated USCG photo
Location: Lake Superior shoreline, Michigan
Coordinates
WGS-84 (GPS)		 46°45.173′N 85°15.440′W / 46.752883, -85.257333
Year first lit: 1904
Deactivated: 1947
Foundation: poured concrete
Construction: brick
Tower shape: conical
Markings/Pattern: White W/Black Lantern
Height: Tower - 58 feet (18 m)
Focal Height: Focal plane - 62 feet (19 m)
Original lens: Fourth Order Fresnel lens
Range: 15 miles (24 km)

Crisp Point Light Station was one of five U.S. Life-Saving Service Stations along the coast of Lake Superior between Munising and Whitefish Point in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Located about fourteen miles (21 km) west of Whitefish Point, in 1876 it became "Life Saving Station Number Ten," of the U.S. Life-Saving Service District 10 (later part of District 11). Crisp Point is named from one of the Life Saving Station keepers, Christopher Crisp, who is said to have been "an iron-willed boatman." The other four Life-Saving Stations were Vermilion Point (now Vermilion, Michigan), about five miles (8 km) east of Crisp Point, Two Hearted River, about five or six miles (10 km) west of Crisp Point, Deer Park, Michigan (formerly known as the Sucker River Station and Muskallonge Lake Station), about ten or eleven miles (18 km) west of Two Hearted River, and Grand Marais about fifteen or sixteen miles west of Deer Park.1

In 1915, these stations became part of the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1939 the U.S. Lighthouse Service also merged under the control of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Contents

History

Crisp Point Lighthouse was first proposed in 1896 and every year thereafter until finally approved in June, 1902. Construction began one year later. The fifteen acres of land was purchased at a price of $30.00. The deed was dated May 21, 1903. In the 58 feet (18 m) high tower a fourth order red Fresnel lens2 by Sautter and Lemonnier of Paris, France was installed.3 The light was displayed for the first time in May 1904.

The lighthouse tower is 58 feet (18 m) from base to the lantern's ventilator ball top.

This lighthouse and life saving station have undergone massive damage. All were destroyed by erosion, except for the tower and one wall of the entrance room. In the winter of 1997/98, the loss was stayed by the installation of one thousand cubic yards of stone in front of the tower. There are further plans for protection and stabilization as funds become available.4

The stretch of coast between Whitefish Point and Grand Island became known as "The Shipwreck Coast." On November 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a violent storm. It sank in Lake Superior about 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Crisp Point. The Fitzgerald's last radio communication was with the Coast Guard station at Grand Marais. In fact, some tourists go to the five life saving stations in an organized manner for a day trip.5

Undated USCG image: Lighthouse with keepers dwelling

Nearby, in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 the freighter Major (built in 1889) was stranded near the point; and the 1902 William Nottingham lost three men in the area, after they agreed to fetch assistance in a lifeboat, which overturned as they embarked. See, Shipwrecks of the 1913 Great Lakes storm and List of victims of the 1913 Great Lakes storm.

This light was almost completely lost due to the elements and neglect.6 Also demolished were the original white frame boathouse, barn, brick oil house and two outbuildings. In 1997-98, one thousand cubic yards of stone were placed in front of the tower to stabilize and protect it.7

Ownership of Crisp Point Light was transferred from the Coast Guard to Luce County in February, 1997 under the National Historic Preservation Act of 19668, which is the predecessor to the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Present

The Crisp Point Light is now a center for renovation and renewal. Under the direction of the Crisp Point Lighthouse Organization, and other cooperating organizations, there are recurring events at the site.9 Once on the "Doomsday List", the lighthouse has been returned to pristine condition.10 Plans are in place to build a replica of the original diaphone fog signal building, which will be a visitor center for the station. A fourth order Fresnel lens has been loaned to the society for display.11

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Crisp Point Light Historical Society.
  2. ^ Fresnel lens at Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.
  3. ^ Colt, Edin, "Crisp Point Light" Boatnerd.com.
  4. ^ Michigan lighthouse fund, Crisp Point Light.
  5. ^ Lifesaving tour.
  6. ^ Colt, Edin, "Crisp Point Light" Boatnerd.com.
  7. ^ Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Crisp Point Light.
  8. ^ Crisp Point Lighthouse history.
  9. ^ Crisp Point Lighthouse Organization, Calendar of Events.
  10. ^ "2008 Featured Lighthouse", Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival 2008 informational pamphlet, p.3.
  11. ^ ARLHS World of Lights, Crisp Point Light.

Further reading

External links

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Lighthouses of Michigan
Alpena Light • Au Sable Light • Beaver Island Harbor Light • Beaver Island Head Light • Big Bay Point Light • Big Sable Point Light • Bois Blanc Light • Charity Island Light • Charlevoix South Pier Light • Cheboygan Crib Light • Copper Harbor Front Range Light • Copper Harbor Light • Crisp Point Light • DeTour Reef Light • Eagle Harbor Light • Eagle River Light • Fort Gratiot Light • Forty Mile Point Light • Fourteen Foot Shoal Light • Frankfort Light • Grand Haven Light • Granite Island Light • Gravelly Shoal Light • Harbor Beach Light • Holland Harbor Light • Ile Aux Galets • Isle Royale Light • Little Sable Point Light • Little Traverse Light • Ludington Light • Manistee Pierhead lights • Manistique East Breakwater Light • Manitou Island Light • Manning Memorial Light • Marquette Harbor Light • McGulpin Point Light • Mendota (Bete Grise) Light • Menominee Pier Light • Mission Point Light • Munising Front Range Light • Muskegon Breakwater Light • Muskegon Pier Light • New Presque Isle Light • Old Mackinac Point Light • Old Presque Isle Light • Peninsula Point Light • Poe Reef Light • Pointe aux Barques Light • Point Betsie Light • Point Iroquois Light • Port Austin Lighthouse• Port Sanilac Light • Rock of Ages Light • Round Island Light • Saginaw River Rear Range Light • Sand Hills Light • Seul Choix Light • South Haven Light • South Manitou Island Light • Spectacle Reef Light • Squaw Island Light • St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Light • St. Helena Island Light • St. Martin Island Light • Sturgeon Point Light • Tawas Point Light • Thunder Bay Island Light • Waugoshance Light • White River Light • White Shoal Light • Whitefish Point Light
Related – Lightship Huron
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