![]() So diligently did the keepers preform their tasks, with many tales of bravery and heroism, that the Michigan City Lighthouse became known on the Great Lakes as “Old Faithful.” ![]() At daybreak, the process was repeated and the light was extinguished. In cold weather, the lard would sometimes congeal before reaching the light and this meant a return trip after it was reheated. In all kinds of weather the lighthouse keepers had to climb to the lanterns twice each night (at dusk and midnight) to trim the wick, polish the reflectors, and recharge the light with lard oil or kerosene. Starting in 1887 the light atop the lighthouse was kept lit year round rather than only during the shipping season from April to November. Earliest known journals f the lighthouse keeper began in 1872 and from this record we find “Commenced using kerosene at the Beason, July 16, 1880.” The beacon light which has been moved to the west pier was destroyed in a storm in 1886. On November 20, 1871, the first beacon light was installed on the east pier and this light too had to be maintained by the keeper. The Old Lighthouse Museum has two Fresnel lens on display: a 4th Order Lens (left) and the 5th Order Lens (right) that marked the entrance of the harbor since 1858. She was followed by keepers Thomas Armstrong, Philip Sheridan, and Walter Donovan. She served 43 years, retiring at age 80 in 1904. Clarkson served as the first keeper of the new light until replaced by Miss Harriet Colfax, cousin of Vice President Schuyler Colfax under President Ulysses S. On the north end of the lighthouse was a lantern which housed a fixed light with a Fresnel lens of the 5th order which could be seen for 15 miles. ![]() the date 1858 can still be seen on the south wall. In 1858, the US Government constructed a lighthouse using Joliet stone for the foundation and Milwaukee brick for the superstructure. Clarkson.Īs the shipping of fish, grain, and lumber increased, a brighter light was needed to guide ships. Harrison, appointed on December 9, 1837, at an annual salary of $350. The well-kept lawn was dotted with shrubbery, flowers, and enclosed by a low rustic fence, and from a little wicket gate led a white graveled walk to the residence. It fronted south and was surrounded by a grove of small oaks on the west. An early writing describes itĪ story and a half house, plastered on the outside and dazzling in its whiteness, more of a portico than a veranda ornamented the front and was covered with trailing vines. and Jr., under contract to the US Government, built the first lighthouse consisting of a keepers dwelling with a 40 foot high whitewashed tower topped with a lantern to house the light. The first light was a “post light”(a light on a tall post) located 100 feet west of the present lighthouse. Elston, founder of Michigan City, knowing that aids to navigation would be needed, deeded to the US Government on June 14, 1835, a tract of land running from the bend in Trail Creek to the lake for the purpose of constructing a lighthouse. The story of Michigan City’s Light Station begins in 1835 when Isaac C.
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