|
 While this light is special in many ways, one of the most important
features is how accessible it is. Just a few miles from Harbor
Beach, this is one of the few lights that is on the shore and not
far out in Lake Huron.
The State Street Inn Bed and Breakfast
is a great place to stay and the innkeepers can give you plenty of
information about the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse.
Pointe Aux Barques is the oldest continuous working lighthouse in
Michigan and on the Great Lakes. The first lighthouse was built in
1847 with a $5000 appropriation from President Polk to guard ships
from some of the most treacherous shoals in the Great Lakes. The
first lighthouse keeper, Peter Shook drowned in 1849. His wife
Catherine, left with 8 children, became the lighthouse keeper.
Catherine was the first woman lighthouse keeper in Michigan.
 She
served until 1851. The present lighthouse and keeper's house was
built in 1857. It is one of only a few lighthouses that is in
operation today. The lighthouse itself is 89 feet tall with 103 cast
iron steps to the top. The lighthouse has a flashing white light
that shines 18 miles out over Lake Huron. It is a warning that the
area contains shallow waters that can be a hazard, and it also marks
the the entrance into Saginaw Bay. The keeper's residence is now a
museum.
The lighthouse reservation was sold to Huron County in 1958 to be
operated as a park, campground and lighthouse museum, in which
capacity it continues to operate. The lighthouse itself was deeded
to Huron County in 2003 by the United States Coast Guard. The Coast
Guard continues to maintain the light.
Located in the county park 10 miles east of Port Austin and 17 miles
north of Harbor Beach, Lighthouse Park features a beautiful
campground, sandy beach and many picnic areas. The lighthouse museum
is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00
p.m.
Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Society
P.O. Box 97
Port Hope, Michigan 48468
Telephone: (989) 428-3035 or (989) 428-2010
Campground Telephone:(989) 428-4749
|
