Fresnel Lens Returns Home To Two Rivers
By Sue Clark on Jun 13, 2009 in News 
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Broken Lens Repaired
Beginning life on a steamer plying the Great Lakes, this unusual Sixth Order Fresnel Lens was pressed into service at the Two Rivers North Pier Lighthouse in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Constructed in 1886, it was small thirty-six foot tall skeletal wooden light on the end of the North pier. After years of lonely service, the lighthouse begin the inevitable decline toward deterioration and was rebuilt in 1926. It was lonely service because this tower never had a keeper assigned to it. The keepers from the Rawley Point Light Station, five miles away, were charged with keeping this one also.
As so often happens, the light station began deteriorating, and was thus rebuilt in 1928. The lonely little light kept on shining. But then modernization came, and the light was decommissioned in 1969. Rather than destroy it, the Coast Guard donated the entire tower to the Two Rivers Historical Society, who eventually moved the entire structure in 1975 to their Rogers Street Fishing Village and Coast Guard Museum. Unfortunately, as it was being moved, the Lens was dropped on its side and broke. The lantern and pedestal were also damaged in the fall.
Unable to be used, the lens was put into storage, where it sat until 2006. At that time, the museum received some grant money, and individual donations were sought to bring the total to fund the $41,388 repair. The lens was sent to Joe Cocking, a retired Chief Warrant Officer from the Coast Guard and now a lampist based in Florida, and the refurbishing of this little light began. Carefully packing it up, the light was sent to Cocking’s business, the Lighthouse Lamp Shop. As one of only a few people in the US qualified to repair lighthouse Fresnel lens, it was a great choice by the group.
Ceremony Honoring Its Return
Late last month (May) the lens was returned to the museum in perfect shape. A reception for invited guests was held, with long time supporters and elected officials attending. From the story at HTRNews.com:
“The light is here to remind us that our future connects to our past,” - Sandra Zipperer, Executive Director of the museum.
“This lighthouse is an icon of this city, the community’s history is tied to the water, and the lake continues to play a vital role.” - City Manager Greg Buckley.
“It’s amazing the progress that you’ve made.” - U.S. Rep. Thomas Petri of Fond du Lac.
“The light represents a time and place for the entire Great Lakes region, but Two Rivers can call it its own. It represents who we are, where we came from, and it gives future generations a sense of place and direction.” Robert Bergeon, president of the Rogers Street Board of Directors.
The light has been put back into storage for now, until its official public unveiling during Roger Street Days, August 7 and 8, 2009. Afterwards it will be available for viewing in the museum, but Zipperer has hopes of reinstalling the little beacon back in the lighthouse itself.
Photo Credits: Historic Lighthouse and Restored Lens by Lester Public Library. Some rights reserved. More photos of the lens and ceremony from Lester Public Library.
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5 Comment(s)
By Rick Cain on Jun 30, 2009 | Reply
Actually, Joe worked in conjunction with the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum. Our conservator, Kathleen McCormick helped with the project and the light was on display here after completion. Joe is extremely talented and he and Nick Johnston are good friends of ours here. They did all the restoration work on our 1st order lens back in the early 90’s and taught me everything I know about lighthouse keeping.
By Sue Clark on Jul 2, 2009 | Reply
Rick,
It’s good to know there are a few like Joe Cocking, Nick Johnston, and others like Jim Woodward and Capt. Kurt Fosburg.
And as more lights are transferred, their work will be in demand for a long time in the future.
Joe & Co. did a fantastic job restoring St. Augustine’s light. And your group is doing a super job maintaining it. I hope to get down there one year and visit the Fla. lighthouses. That is, before I’m in a wheelchair.
By Gary aka lighthousephoto on Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
I’ve photographed at Two Rivers a number of times and will have to make it a point to photograph the repaired Fresnel lens the next time I’m in the vicinity.
By Sue Clark on Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
Do you know, I happen to adore the Sixth Order lenses. The Maine Lighthouse Museum has one of which I’m particularly enamored. They are so small, yet so perfect.
Hope you get up there to get some shots, Gary.
By mond tranny on Jun 30, 2010 | Reply
its very nice to think that there are something out ther that age over a century and still present today. i hope it would be taken care of until it reaches a thousand years more