Point Betsie Light

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Point Betsie Light

Point Betsie Lighthouse
Location: North of Frankfort, Michigan
Coordinates
WGS-84 (GPS)		 44°41′29″N 86°15′19″W / 44.6913, -86.2552
Year first constructed: 1859
Year first lit: 1859
Automated: April 1983
Foundation: Concrete
Construction: Cream City Brick
Tower shape: Cylindrical
Height: Tower - 37 feet (11 m)
Elevation: Focal plane - 52 feet (16 m)
Original lens: 4th order Fresnel Lens
Current lens: Vega VRB-25 250 mm acrylic optic
Range: 27.5 miles (44.3 km)

The Point Betsie lighthouse is located on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan -- at the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage -- north of Frankfort in Benzie County in Northern Michigan. Construction began in 1858, but it was not completed until 1858, and began service in the shipping season of 1859. The lighthouse cost $5000 to build. In 1875, a life saving station was built for $3000.[1]

The light was originally equipped with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens (pronounced [freɪ'nel]) with bullseye, which was upgraded to a Third order (with bullseye) in 1880. The latter was visible for 27.5 miles, because of the high placement of the tower (focal plane of 52.5 feet) and the efficacy of the lens design.[2] The Fresnel Lens was removed in 1996, and there are plans to display it[3] at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.[4].

The cylindrical tower is 39 feet tall, but sits on a dune. It is attached to the Lighthouse keepers house, which was upgraded to an attractive gambrel roof design.[5]

This was one of the earliest Life Saving Station, and was run under the auspices of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. In 1910 the United States Lighthouse Board was reconstituted as the U.S. Lighthouse Service. In 1939 these agencies were merged under the control of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Prior to being automated in 1983, the 'wickies' operated the light for 106 years.[6] This was the last manned lighthouse on Lake Michigan.[7] The light is now a Vega VRB-25 250 mm acrylic optic.[8] The new optic would be visible for a range of 15 to 22 miles, depending on the bulb used.[9]

In addition to the lighttower, keepers house, and lifesaving station, the site presently includes a fog signal building and an oil house.[10]

Contents

[edit] Sign Posted by Lighthouse

Point Betsie Light & Coast Guard Family Housing Welcome to Point Betsie Lighthouse. The lighthouse, formerly the Point Betsie Lifesaving Station, was built in 1876. It began operation on April 23, 1877, and was manned and maintained by the U.S. Lighthouse Service. On July 1, 1939 the lighthouse service was merged with the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse, manned for over 106 years was automated in April 1983. The light is 52 feet above lake level and has a range of 27.5 miles. The house was converted to apartments and now serves as housing for families of personnel assigned to Coast Guard station, Frankfort.

Sign by lighthouse
Sign by lighthouse

[edit] Current status

The station was transferred to Benzie County under the terms of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act in 2004.

It has been repainted to its original color scheme, which had not been seen since the 1940s. The "Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse" have undertaken a complete restoration of the station.[11]

The organization is celebrating the lighthouse's sesquicentenial in 2008. This 150th anniversary celebration will include many events. A calendar is available.[12]

Point Betsie is said to be one of America's most photographed lighthouses, and the most-visited attraction in Benzie County.[13] Because of its picturesque form and location, it is often the subject of photographs and drawings.[14] Even needlepoint illustrations have been rendered.[15]

It is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Reference #84001375.[16]

[edit] Additional reading

[edit] Notes

Vintage image of the station
Vintage image of the station
  1. ^ Friends of the Point Betsie Light.
  2. ^ See Third Order Fresnel lens, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.
  3. ^ National Park Service, Inventory of historic light stations, Point Betsie.
  4. ^ Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore Visitors Bureau.
  5. ^ Seeing the Light, Terry Pepper on Point Betsie Light
  6. ^ Friends of the Point Betsie Light.
  7. ^ Wobser, David, Point Betsie Light at Boatnerd.com.
  8. ^ Seeing the Light, Terry Pepper on Point Betsie Light.
  9. ^ Vega VRB-25 250 mm acrylic optic, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.
  10. ^ Wobser, David, Point Betsie Light at Boatnerd.com.
  11. ^ Friends of the Point Betsie Light.
  12. ^ Friends of the Point Betsie Light.
  13. ^ Bibliography on Michigan lighthouses.
  14. ^ Mulgrew, Marilyn, Drawing of Point Betsie Light.
  15. ^ Needlepoint of Point Betsie Light.
  16. ^ Point Betsie lighthouse facts, Friends of Point Betsie.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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