11 Sep - Sandpoint Lighthouse. Escanaba Harbor Crib Light, Menominee North Pier Light

 

This morning before heading out for the day,  we paused a bit to remember the horrific events of 11 Sep 2001 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary.  In addition to the television coverage, our son Division Chief Dan Schellhase led a remembrance event at the Ankeny Iowa Fire Department and it was live streamed so we could watch.  As a retired firefighter and a retired military member, that day is burned into my memory.  Now, being retired and traveling around the United States we really appreciate the freedoms we have and we are so grateful to those who continue to serve and protect those freedoms. 

Our journey today took us down the west side of the Little Bay de Noc on US 2, first to Escanaba. 

There we visited the Sand Point Lighthouse and viewed the Escanaba Harbor Crib Light.  The Sand Point Lighthouse was closed as was the Delta County Historical Society where the stamp for Doreen's passport likely resides.  

Sand Point Lighthouse

The Sand Point Lighthouse was built in 1868 and operated until 1939 when the new Escanaba Harbor Crib Light was put into operation. As the story goes, the newly appointed lightkeeper John Terry, died "of consumption" before the the opening of the light, so his wife Mary Terry served as the keeper until 1886 when she died from a mysterious fire at the lighthouse.

In 1985 the Delta County Historical Society restored the lighthouse and manages it today,

Also on the premise is the Squaw Point Boathouse.  It was originally built on Squaw Point on the eastern shore of Little Bay de Noc in 1897.  In 1914 Squaw Point was furnished with an acetylene lantern, the lighthouse was left unmanned so the motorboat and boathouse were moved to Sand Point.  Tending to the Squaw Point acetylene "Sunvalve" light was now the responsibility of the Sand Point keeper, which entailed a trip across the bay each week in the boat.  

Squaw Point Boathouse

The track uses to route the boat in and out of the boathouse

A look through the window at the boats

Just off shore is the Escanaba Harbor Crib Light.  It is visible from the Sand Point Lighthouse, but better viewing is further down the street past the Escanaba Water Plant.  As mentioned above, it was built in 1938 and replaced the Sand Point Lighthouse the following year.  It continues to guide mariners today.

Further down US 2 is the town of Menominee MI.  On the way we passed an inland lighthouse.  This lighthouse is not operational and draws visitors to a local restaurant.  If you followed our blog last year it might look familiar as we pulled into the parking lot there for a pit stop in route to Antigo!

As we entered Menominee we made our way to the Menominee North Pier Lighthouse.  The lighthouse is barely visible behind the tower, below.

This lighthouse is now located quite a ways out on a concrete pier.  It was originally built in 1877 to support increased river traffic with the discovery of iron ore in the area.  It was a two story cast iron tower and cost about $7500.  It's red light amplified by a fifth order Fresnel lens was visible for over 12 miles.  

The original 1877 lighthouse location

The lighthouse was relocated here in 1881 when the pier was extended

In 1886 the pier was again lengthened and the lighthouse was again moved to it's present location.  The lens was changed and in 1897 a fog signal building was constructed. 

 In 1927 the entire tower was disassembled, brought ashore and the wooden pier was replaced with a concrete pier.  The wooden fog signal building was eliminated and the lighthouse reassembled in it's present location at the end of the new pier.  In 1972 the light was automated.  In 2008 the City of Menominee took possession of the lighthouse from the Coast Guard. 

In 2016 it was recognized the lighthouse was in severely bad repair and neared collapse.  A local businessman donated $350,000 and it was completely renovated.  

A great picture of the lighthouse during renovation.  Painting operations were contained inside this tent.

So we approached the lighthouse and took a few pictures.  It was locked up so we could not enter it and we were preparing to depart when one of the local volunteers showed up and opened it for us and another couple.  Doreen got her passport stamped and we were able to see the inside and climb it!

Doreen heading inside

A wide angle view of the inside

The volunteer stamping Doreen's passport

Up we go!

The last part of the climb is up a steep ladder.

Inside the top of the lighthouse

The LED beacon that shines brightly from the pier

About an hour drive back to the campground with a stop by Walmart to restock provisions.  Pork chops on the grill for supper and we were switching between the Iowa-Iowa State football game and the Cubs-Giants blowout!

Tomorrow we will head down the east side of Little Bay de Noc to see Peninsula Point Lighthouse.