Ready For Relighting May 30

McGulpin Point Lighthouse, dimmed and lost for 106 years, is one of the better lighthouse recovery stories of the year. Built in 1869, after a ten year wait, it shone only for a few years. The Old Mackinac Point Light and Fog Signal Station came along in 1892, and it was determined that McGulpin Point Lighthouse was no longer needed. It stayed lit for a few more years, until November 12, 1906, when the Keeper, James Davenport, extinguished the light for the last time. The lantern was removed and the house was put up for auction, becoming the private home of several families until 2008, when it was put on the market by its latest owners, the Pepplers.

Enter Emmet County’s commissioners, who jumped at the chance to get this historic property back under the county’s wings. This at a time when the economy was starting its downward spiral. But they persevered, and purchased the home. For a lighthouse to be returned to public ownership after being in private hands is almost unheard of. A new Emmet County Historical Commission was created to deal with the undertaking. For with the purchase came grand plans; to restore the lantern, remove the trees to open the view again and arranging to have it declared a Private Aid to Navigation (PATON). For that they’d need help.

And help stepped forward, in the form of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA). With their expertise in restoring lighthouses, the county commissioners couldn’t have asked a better, more generous group. From touring the house with the county’s representatives, to serving on the newly formed Historical Commission, applying to the Coast Guard for PATON status, to having an historically accurate lantern rebuilt, the group excelled in getting the work done, so much so that on May 30the McGulpin Point Lighthouse will be put back into service again after 106 years of darkness.

Reinstalling the Lantern

What follows is a photographic record taken by Terry Pepper for GLLKA, along with some of his commentary. I’m extremely grateful to him for allowing me to use these photos, and extremely grateful to GLLKA for the work they’ve done, on this and other projects. Enjoy the photos. It’s rare to see something like this happen.

07:55 on the morning of April 23, the lantern arrives in Mackinaw City. Here, a Mackinaw City Police Department escort helps the truck and trailer make the turn onto Central Avenue.

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The semi pulls over on the street in front of the lighthouse to scope out the best way to back into the narrow lighthouse driveway.

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The Moran Ironworks crane was brought to the property the day before, and was already preparing the gallery to receive the railing and lantern.

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This view from the gallery shows the semi backing up the driveway.

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Work has already been underway for two days clearing trees in front of the lighthouse so
it will be able to shine its light out over the Straits of Mackinac.

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With the removal of the trees, this view of the lighthouse from below the bluff has been opened-up for the first time in almost 100 years since the trees began to grow back.

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A three-armed sling is attached to the railing to prepare for lifting it to the gallery.

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The railing is slowly lowered onto the gallery.

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The new railing in place, and holes are drilled and tapped to secure it to the cast iron gallery floor.

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The lantern is carefully eased down onto the gallery and positioned.

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Moran Ironworkers marking the position for the bolts which hold the lantern to the gallery.

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The view from the new clearing below the bluff with the lantern in place. In the next couple of days, the lantern will be glazed, the light installed, and everything will be ready to exhibit the light on May 30 - for the first time in 103 years.

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The vent ball was hoisted into place and secured at 11:00 on the morning of April 24, 2009.

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The view from the lantern across the Straits of Mackinac. A few more trees to remove, and the light will be visible to mariners for the first time since it was extinguished in 1906.

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The interior walls and the pedestal for the Tidelands Signal 300-MLED optic were installed at around 2:30 this afternoon. Check out that beautiful brass vent casting which was cast by Adams Casting from original drawings.

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A final check to ensure the pre-drilled pedestal holes match those on the new Tideland Signal optic.

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With metal component installation complete, the good folks from Moran Ironworks returned to Onaway, leaving the lighthouse alone to show off its new lantern.

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The McGulpin Point lighthouse will be relit in a ceremony on May 30, 2009, and plans are to open the lighthouse to the public. Future plans include raising enough money to have a replica Third-and-a Half Order Fresnel lens built by Artworks Florida. To support all the good works the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association does (and there are many), please visit their online store and purchase a membership. I did. The work they do and the help they offer is next to none.
More information and photos can be found at GLLKA’s site, and the Emmet County Historical Commission.

Photo credits: All photos Copyright ©2009 by GLLKA. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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