The Ludington Light is a 57-foot (17 m) tall steel-plated lighthouse in Ludington, Michigan, which lies along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, at the end of the breakwater on the Pere Marquette Harbor. Given its location on the northern breakwater where the Pere Marquette River meets Lake Michigan, it is sometimes known as the Ludington North Breakwater Light. Underlying the building itself is a prow-like structure, which is designed to break waves.

Ludington Light
Ludington Light in August 2023
Map
LocationLudington, Michigan
Coordinates43°57′13.002″N 86°28′9.737″W / 43.95361167°N 86.46937139°W / 43.95361167; -86.46937139
Tower
Constructed1871
FoundationPier
ConstructionSteel / Reinforced concrete
Automated1972
Height57 feet (17 m)
ShapeSquare Pyramidal
Markingswhite with black lantern
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place Edit this on Wikidata
Fog signalHORN: 2 blasts ev 30s (2s bl-2s si-2s bl-24s si). Operates from Apr. 1 to Oct. 1.[1]
Light
First lit1871
DeactivatedN/A
Focal height55 feet (17 m)
Lensfifth order Fresnel Lens (original), 12-inch (300 mm) Tideland Signal ML-300 Acrylic Optic (current)
Intensity5000 candles
Range5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi)
CharacteristicIso G 6s 55
Ludington North Breakwater Light
LocationLudington, Michigan
Built1924
NRHP reference No.05000982[2]
Added to NRHPSeptember 6, 2005

History

edit

The station was established in 1871. This light was first lit in 1924, and it is presently operational. It was automated in 1972. The light is structurally integrated into the steel and reinforced concrete pier upon which it is built. It has a square pyramidal form, and is white with a black lantern. The original lens was a Fourth Order Fresnel lens.[3] On October 17, 1995 the Fresnel lens was removed from the lantern. It was replaced by a 12-inch (300 mm) Tideland Signal ML-300 acrylic optic.[4] The original lens was loaned to Historic White Pine Village where it is displayed as part of their maritime history exhibit.[5]

A fog signal building is integrated into the tower. It originally had a Type F Diaphone signal, and a FA-232 is now in operation. A radio beacon is also in place and operational.[6]

In 2006, the Ludington Breakwater Lighthouse was opened to the public for the first time in its history. The Coast Guard transferred ownership to the City of Ludington under the terms of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The lighthouse is being operated and maintained in partnership with the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association,[7] which is a volunteer group that maintains, restores and operates this light, the Big Sable Point Lighthouse and the Little Sable Point Lighthouse.[8]

The lighthouse is open to the public during the summer season for climbing tours.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Light List, Volume VII, Great Lakes (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard.
  2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  3. ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  4. ^ "Seeing The Light - The 300mm plastic lighthouse optic". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Seeing The Light - Ludington North Pierhead Lighthouse". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Ludington North Pier Lighthouse, MI". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  7. ^ Lighthouse depot newsletter Archived 2007-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Big Sable Point Lighthouse - Ludington Mi -". Archived from the original on 2008-06-15. Retrieved 2008-06-11.

Further reading

edit