Port Austin Light

Port Austin Light
Location	Port Austin Reef, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Port Austin, Michigan (Port aux Barques Township)
Coordinates	44°05′N 82°59′W / 44.083°N 82.983°W
Tower
Constructed	1878
Foundation	Brick, cement, crushed stone
Construction	Brick
Automated	1953
Height	60 feet (18 m)
Shape	Square
Markings	Buff square tower with attached house w/red roof.
Heritage	National Register of Historic Places listed place
Light
First lit	1878
Focal height	76 feet (23 m)
Lens	Fourth order Fresnel lens (original), 12-inch (300 mm) Tideland Signal ML-300 acrylic (current)
Range	8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) Other sources claim 14.3 nautical miles; 26.6 kilometres (16.5 mi)
Characteristic	White, every 6 seconds.
	Port Austin Reef Light
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
MPS	Light Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP reference No.	11000666
Added to NRHP	September 15, 2011

Port Austin Lighthouse (or Port Austin Reef Light) is a lighthouse off the shore of Lake Huron, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Port Austin, Huron County Michigan sitting on a rocky reef (shoal), which is just north of the tip of the Thumb and a real hazard to navigation.

History

The original plans were for this lighthouse to be built on shore. The crib was built in Tawas.^[8]

The light was first lit in 1878, and its pier was modified in 1899. It is still operational and is automated. The foundation materials are a pier, and the tower is constructed of yellow brick, with buff markings. It is an octagonal, 60-foot (18 m) tall tower, with an attached keeper house. However, the focal plain is 76 feet (23 m). It originally had a fourth-order Fresnel lens by Henry Lepaute of Paris and installed in 1899. The optic was 12-inch (300 mm) glass. In 1985 the lens was replaced by a 12-volt solar-powered Tideland Signal 300 mm acrylic optic,^[9] which eliminated the need to maintain the submarine cable.^[4]^[10]

Current status and activities

In 1990, volunteers from the Port Austin Reef Light Association engaged in an "heroic effort" to oust a colony of seagulls that had taken over the building, and then screened and reroofed it. Restoration efforts continue.^[11] Decking has been covered with galvanized metal shingles, and painted in the bright red that is historically accurate. Railings were affixed to the access ladder, and safety chains edging the deck were replaced. Installed also were a new brick chimney and 18 new windows. In 1990, PARLA's license to renovate the structure was extended through 2020.^[4]

Current restoration continues by the Port Austin Reef Light Association.^[12]

The light is not open for tours.^[13] It is a long and difficult trip to the light, which is always hindered by the reef, and often by the fog.^[14] However, it is possible to photograph the lighthouse from shore, although it takes a long lens or digital zoom.^[15]

The light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 2011.^[7] The site includes adjacent bottom lands.^[16] A two-story on shore lighthouse keeper's house still exists.^[17]

In June 2011, the General Services Administration made the Port Austin Light (along with 11 others) available at no cost to public organizations willing to preserve them.^[18]^[19]

On July 19, 2012 it was announced that the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse Association, a Michigan non-profit organization, will take ownership of the Port Austin Light Station on Lake Huron.

References

^ Pepper, Terry. "Database of Tower Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com. Archived from the original on 2000-09-18. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Light List, Volume VII, Great Lakes (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. p. 106.
^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Extensive history of the Port Austin Lighthouse at Seeing the Light by Terry Pepper.
^ But see, based on the 1910 Coast Guard light list, a claim that the Focal plane as 80 feet (24 m). Pepper, Terry. "Database of Focal Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-30. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
^ But see, Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Port Austin Reef Light. which claims a 7.9-inch (200 mm) glass optic.
^ ^a ^b "Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 9/12/11 through 9/16/11". National Park Service. September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
^ Lighthouse Central, Port Austin Lighthouse Photographs, History and Directions, The Ultimate Guide to East Michigan Lighthouses by Jerry Roach (Publisher: Bugs Publishing LLC - July 2006). ISBN 0-9747977-1-5; ISBN 978-0-9747977-1-7.
^ Tideland 300 mm optic, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.
^ "Lighthouse depot on Port Austin Light". Archived from the original on 2005-01-16. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
^ Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.
^ "Port Austin Reef Light Association". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
^ Description Port Austin Light at lighthousefriends.com
^ Interactive map, list, information for lighthouses in North and West Lake Huron. Archived 2008-04-25 at the Wayback Machine
^ Michigan Lighthouse project, Port Austin Reef Light.
^ Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Photography of Port Austin Lightkeeper's house.
^ "For sale: Waterfront property; cozy, great views, plenty of light, needs TLC". CNN. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
^ Beatty, MaryAnne. "GSA Making 12 Historic Lighthouses Available at No Cost to Public Organizations Willing to Preserve Them". GSA Website. US General Services Administration. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.

External links

Media related to Port Austin Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons
Port Austin Light on the World List of Lights
Extensive history of the Port Austin Lighthouse at Seeing the Light by Terry Pepper.
Interactive map of lighthouses in the Thumb/Lake Huron area.
Interactive map, list, information for lighthouses in North and West Lake Huron.
Michigan.gov website has a Map of Michigan Lighthouses.
"Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Index
Wobser, David, Port Austin Reef Light Archived 2008-09-07 at the Wayback Machine at Boatnerd.com.

[1] Pepper, Terry. "Database of Tower Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com. Archived from the original on 2000-09-18. Retrieved 2009-10-14.

[navcen.uscg.gov-2] Light List, Volume VII, Great Lakes (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. p. 106.

[3] Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

[terrypepper.com-4] Extensive history of the Port Austin Lighthouse at Seeing the Light by Terry Pepper.

[5] But see, based on the 1910 Coast Guard light list, a claim that the Focal plane as 80 feet (24 m). Pepper, Terry. "Database of Focal Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-30. Retrieved 2009-10-14.

[6] But see, Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Port Austin Reef Light. which claims a 7.9-inch (200 mm) glass optic.

[NRHP-7] "Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 9/12/11 through 9/16/11". National Park Service. September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.

[8] Lighthouse Central, Port Austin Lighthouse Photographs, History and Directions, The Ultimate Guide to East Michigan Lighthouses by Jerry Roach (Publisher: Bugs Publishing LLC - July 2006). ISBN 0-9747977-1-5; ISBN 978-0-9747977-1-7.

[9] Tideland 300 mm optic, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.

[10] "Lighthouse depot on Port Austin Light". Archived from the original on 2005-01-16. Retrieved 2008-02-23.

[11] Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.

[12] "Port Austin Reef Light Association". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2008-02-23.

[13] "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.

[14] Description Port Austin Light at lighthousefriends.com

[15] Interactive map, list, information for lighthouses in North and West Lake Huron. Archived 2008-04-25 at the Wayback Machine

[16] Michigan Lighthouse project, Port Austin Reef Light.

[17] Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Photography of Port Austin Lightkeeper's house.

[18] "For sale: Waterfront property; cozy, great views, plenty of light, needs TLC". CNN. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.

[19] Beatty, MaryAnne. "GSA Making 12 Historic Lighthouses Available at No Cost to Public Organizations Willing to Preserve Them". GSA Website. US General Services Administration. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.

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v t e Lighthouses in Michigan
Main: List of lighthouses in the United States
Northern Upper Peninsula	Au Sable Big Bay Point Copper Harbor Copper Harbor Front Range Crisp Point Eagle Harbor Eagle Harbor Range Lights Eagle River Fourteen Mile Point Grand Island East Channel Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Grand Island North Grand Marais Range Lights Granite Island Gull Rock Huron Island Isle Royale Manitou Island Marquette Breakwater Outer Marquette Harbor Mendota (Bete Grise) Munising Front Range Munising Rear Range Ontonagon Ontonagon Harbor West Breakwater Portage River (Jacobsville) Passage Island Presque Isle Harbor Breakwater Light Rock Harbor Rock of Ages Sand Hills Sand Point Light (Baraga) St. Martin Island Stannard Rock Thunder Bay Island Whitefish Point
Southern Upper Peninsula	DeTour Reef Lansing Shoals Manistique East Breakwater Martin Reef Menominee Pier Minneapolis Shoal Naubinway Island Peninsula Point Poverty Island Sand Point Seul Choix Squaw Island St. Martin Island
St. Mary's River	Frying Pan Island Pipe Island Point Iroquois Round Island Light (St. Mary's River) Six Mile Point Range Rear Winter Point Range Front
Portage River/Ship Canal	Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Keweenaw Waterway Upper Entrance Portage Lake Rouleau Point Range Front and Rear Lights
Straits of Mackinac	Bois Blanc McGulpin Point Old Mackinac Point Round Island Round Island Passage St. Helena Island Wawatam
Western Lower Peninsula	Beaver Island Harbor Beaver Island Head Big Sable Point Cedar River Charlevoix Charlevoix South Pier Frankfort Frankfort South Range Grand Haven North Pierhead Grand Haven South Pierhead Entrance Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Grand Traverse Grays Reef Holland Harbor Ile Aux Galets Little Sable Point Little Traverse Ludington Manistee Pierhead Manning Memorial Mission Point Mission Point (1933) Muskegon Breakwater Muskegon Pier North Manitou Shoal Pentwater North Pierhead Pentwater South Pierhead Point Betsie Portage Lake South Fox Island South Haven South Manitou Island St. Joseph North Pier Inner St. Joseph North Pier Outer Waugoshance White River White Shoal
Eastern Lower Peninsula	Alpena Caseville Harbor Charity Island Cheboygan Crib Cheboygan River Front Range Detroit River Fort Gratiot Forty Mile Point Fourteen Foot Shoal Gibraltar Gravelly Shoal Harbor Beach Lake St. Clair Mariners Memorial Middle Island Miller Memorial New Presque Isle Old Presque Isle Peche Island Rear Range Poe Reef Pointe aux Barques Port Austin Port Sanilac Saginaw Bay Saginaw River Rear Range Spectacle Reef St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Light Sturgeon Point Tawas Point Thunder Bay Island Tri-Centennial Light of Detroit William Livingstone Memorial Windmill Point
Historical (lost) lights	Au Sable North Pierhead Belle Isle Clinton River Ecorse Ecorse Range Rear Gibraltar Grassy Island Grassy Island North Channel Range Lights Grassy Island South Channel Range Lights Grosse Ile North Channel Range Lights Grosse Ile South Channel Range Lights Harwood Point East Range Front Kalamazoo River Mama Juda Mama Juda Range Front Manistee Main Middle Lake George Monroe Pier New Buffalo North Manitou Island Saginaw Bay Sand Beach North Entrance East Squaw Point St. Mary's River Lower Range Front Vidal Shoals Channel Range Front and Rear Lights Windmill Point Range Front and Rear Lights
Related	Lightship Huron List of lifesaving stations in Michigan Wixom Lake, Musselman Island lighthouse

Port Austin Light

History

Current status and activities

See also

References

Further reading

External links