Everything about St Helena Island Light totally explained
The buildings of the
St. Helena Island Light complex are the sole surviving structures on
St. Helena Island, in
Mackinac County in the
U.S. state of
Michigan. The
lighthouse on the island's southeastern point was built in 1872-1873 and went into operation in September 1873. It became one of a series of lighthouses that guided vessels through the
Straits of Mackinac.
History
St. Helena Island, which is 240 acres (96 hectares) is size, is located offshore from
Gros Cap, Michigan, ten miles (16 km) west of
Mackinac Island in the
Lake Michigan approach to the
Straits of Mackinac. The island has a natural harbor on its north shore, which provided shelter for both
Native Americans and
Voyageurs, who sought shelter from fierce, foreseeable and notorious southwesterly storms, which would drive waves that gained strength running with the lake's length.
In addition, the St. Helena Island harbor served as the location of a thriving 19th century fishing station. A fishing station, a self-contained community vernacular to the culture of the Upper
Great Lakes, was a logistical depot for professional fishermen during the century prior to the development of
motorboats and
refrigeration. Freshly-caught fish, such as
lake trout and
whitefish, from the waters of northeastern Lake Michigan adjacent to St. Helena Island would be rushed by oar or sail back to the fishing station for preservation in
salt. Salt fish could be stored and transported in barrels as an exportable commodity.
During the Civil War years, it became increasingly apparent that a
shoal near St. Helena Island menaced the fishery and also maritime traffic through the Straits of Mackinac. At the urging of the
United States Lighthouse Board, Congress appropriated $14,000 in 1872 for a lighthouse to be built of
limestone and
brick on this location and fitted with a 3.5-order
Fresnel lens. The St. Helena Island Light was staffed by either one or two lighthouse keepers from its initial operation in 1873 until 1922. A complex of buildings was constructed around the lighthouse to support its operation, including keepers' dwellings, a boat dock, and a boathouse.
In 1922, the lighthouse was automated. Like many other lighthouses, the tower was fitted with a tank of
acetylene gas, a pilot light, and a "sun valve." Whenever the sun set, the temperature would drop slightly, causing the valve to open and acetylene to be released against the pilot flame. The light would then relight itself and shine throughout the night. With the sun's rise the next morning, the valve would close.
During the early decades of the 20th century, the adjacent St. Helena fish station disappeared. The invention of electrical refrigeration and powered fishing boats made widely-distributed fishing stations unnecessary. Local fish could be carried to larger nearby port towns such as
Mackinaw City, Michigan or
St. Ignace, Michigan.
Current status
After the St. Helena lighthouse complex was de-staffed and the civilian fishing station became a ghost settlement, evidence of human presence on the island began to structurally deteriorate. Wreckers, vandals, and salvagors imposed significant damage upon the light tower and adjacent structures. The
U.S. Coast Guard, the lighthouse's last federal operator, viewed the remains as "attractive nuisances" for which they bore continuing legal liability. They recommended in 1980 that the lighthouse complex be razed., and volunteer troops of the
Boy Scouts of America, began in 1986. The rehabilitation efect was significant, with an estimated of debris requiring removal. As of 2008, the GLLKA planned to continue restoring the lighthouse complex to its appearance in 1900. Possible future St. Helena goals include the construction of an unstaffed visitor center on the island to educate visiting
yachtsmen. The sale was made under the terms of the
National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
The Coast Guard sold the lighthouse complex and reservation to the GLLKA in 1997, on condition that the GLLKA continue to allow the Coast Guard to operate the light. A light continues to operate to this day with a 250 mm. acrylic lens, the original Fresnel lens having disappeared. in September 2001.
The lighthouse was added to the
National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It is Mackinac County listing #88000442.
The light is also known as St. Helena Lighthouse and the St. Helene Lighthouse.
St. Helena Island Light is one of 149 lighthouses in Michigan. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state. See
Lighthouses in the United States.
Viewing the lighthouse
The St. Helena Lighthouse can be seen from numerous points on the Michigan mainland, including a lake shore highway rest area on
US-2 at
Gros Cap, Michigan six miles (10 km) west of
St. Ignace, Michigan. The
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association
annually organizes work crews for this light and often arranges tours that travel from Mackinaw City to the island. These tours unfortunately are not handicap accessible due to the shallow water near the light. It is necessary to transfer from the tour boat to a rubber boat and then climb up on the dock from the rubber boat.
Because of its picturesque color and form, and its location near
Mackinac Island and the
Mackinac Bridge, it's often the subject of photographs. Even needlepoint illustrations have been created..
A private boat is, of course, the best way to see this light close up. Short of that, Sheplers Ferry Service out of Mackinaw City offers periodic lighthouse tours in the summer season. Its "Westbound Tour" includes passes by St. Helena Island Light, and even offers a luncheon. Schedules and rates are available from Shapler's.
Further Information
Get more info on 'St Helena Island Light'.
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