By Sue Clark on Oct 21, 2009 in Updates | 2 Comments
Get your bids in for Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse. The General Services Administration has set October 26 as the soft close. A soft close means the sale will close on that date unless another, higher bid is received before their set time. Currently, as of today, the bids sit at $30,000.
For that money, you get one of the prettier lighthouses that have gone up for auction. And it’s relatively accessible, at the end of a breakwater in an Ohio State park. This lighthouse has so much potential, if you are looking to buy, this is the one to get. It’s an absolute beauty.
By Sue Clark on Oct 20, 2009 in News | 1 Comment
Mischief In The Men’s Room
This time, Miscou lighthouse in New Brunswick (Canada) has become the latest victim of vandalism. Fortunately, it was only in the restrooms at the site and not the lighthouse proper. But that doesn’t matter. There should never be any destruction at historic properties. Ever. Miscou Lighthouse boasts the only Fresnel lens (Third Order) in an operating lighthouse in the province. And underwent a major renovation to make it a tourist attraction last year, including a major environmental cleanup at the site. A paved parking area large enough for tour buses, a deck around the lighthouse and washroom facilities and a large grassy area were completed this past summer.
By Sue Clark on Oct 20, 2009 in News | 3 Comments
Makah Nation To Take Possession of Buildings
Crews from Coast Guard District 13 are in the process of cleaning up the buildings and grounds on Tatoosh Island, near Neah Bay, Washington, in preparation for transferring the decommissioned lighthouse over to the Makah tribe, which already owns the island. Using helicopters to reach the remote island, they’ve removed an unneeded generator and fuel tank. The tribe, which considers the island culturally important, also says it has no current plans to change the island’s usage, which is as an archaeological research site by permit only
By Sue Clark on Oct 17, 2009 in News, Press Release | 3 Comments
News Release
BLMA Completes Major Restoration
The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association (BLMA) has announced the first major restoration in over 150 years has been completed at the historic Beavertail Light Station in Rhode Island. While the history of the light goes back to 1749, 27 years before the Revolutionary War, it was in 1856 that the present granite light tower and its joining Keeper’s quarters were built. In 1896, 40 years later the second house for the Assistant Keeper was constructed. This structure houses the BLMA museum.
By Sue Clark on Oct 16, 2009 in Updates | 1 Comment
Some good news out of Canada…the planned de-staffing of several lighthouses has been put off indefinitely. The voices of the lighthouse keepers, the public outcry, and the intervention of the Fisheries Minister and Members of Parliament has stopped, for now, the loss of jobs.
The review, which has no specified timeline for completion, will be undertaken by the Coast Guard, who made the decision to destaff them in the first place. But at least for now, the lighthouse keepers will remain and continue to provide assistance to mariners and maintenance to the buildings.
