South Haven Lighthouse Covered With Graffiti

Following on yesterday’s story about the malicious destruction of property at Michigan’s Holland Harbor Lighthouse (Big Red), comes some more disturbing news about destructive acts towards our beacons. South Haven (Michigan) Pier Lighthouse, which is one of the most photogenic lighthouses on Lake Michigan for storm photos, is covered with graffiti. And not the beautiful artwork that can be oftentimes seen, but your common, garden variety swear words and other vulgarities. And of course the Soandso was here type of nonsense.

Anne Hornyak, from the Chicago Tourism industry and a lighthouse lover, visited the South Haven Lighthouse this past weekend and shot some closeup photos of the damage. And it’s so pointless, that someone has to write all over the base. And what’s even worse, is nothing is done. This is city (and federally) owned property. Shouldn’t there be some attempt to cite these people that are writing all over historic property?

The photos below can all be clicked on for a larger size to view the writing. All are taken by Anne and used with her permission. Be sure to visit Anne’s Flickr photostream for more great lighthouse photos, from Oregon to Massachussetts and the Great Lakes.

Graffiti around the door of South Haven Pier Light

Let’s leave our names for everyone to see.

Ice damage on the right or did someone kick this?

Who Should Be Responsible?

In 1991, before the National Lighthouse Historic Preservation Act came into being, the lighthouse was going to be offered at public auction. After the citizenry raised an outcry, the light was transferred to the city of South Haven in 2000. The Michigan Maritime Museum renovated the structure and converted it to use as the Marialyce Canonie Great Lakes Research Library. So there is ownership responsibility, both from the city and the museum.

I know, the authorities are stretched thin, and of course the Coast Guard has more important things to do. And besides, the optic isn’t being touched. But shouldn’t there be someone following up on this? And it’s not like there aren’t any clues as to some of the culprits. They write their names on the tower!

Since the city has ultimate responsibility for the tower, would it be extremely difficult to perhaps enlist the help of some volunteers to patrol it once in a while? Perhaps some could act in the capacity of a reserve police officer and swing by and check. But the biggest shame goes out to the people that allow this to happen, probably right in front of them. I’m sure there are some adults nearby when this is going on. Why don’t they report it? Perhaps some of the perpetrators are adults also? It’s easy to blame kids for everything, but it’s entirely possible that alleged adults may have had a hand in this.

And what about us? As lighthouse lovers, it behooves us to sometimes take matters into our own hands. If you see someone defacing property, please speak up and ask them not to do so. Or at the very least, get as much information as you can, i.e. physical description, license plate, etc., and report it to the appropriate authorities. We all have cell phones, right? It’s truly our responsibility to help protect and save our maritime heritage and to quit relying on the other to so it. In this cash strapped, grant-less world that non-profits are dealing with today, can’t we help prevent some of the damage?

Think about it.

Photo Credits:

• Photos of South Haven Pier damage by Anne Hornyak. Used with permission.
• Storm photo by sgs_1019. Some rights reserved.

Keep up with Lighthouse News. Get articles by Email or in a Reader.