- Big Bay Point Light
Infobox Lighthouse
caption = UndatedUSCG photo
location =Big Bay, Michigan
coordinates =
yearlit = 1896
automated = 1945
yeardeactivated = 1961 (Now Private Aid to Navigation)
foundation =
construction = Brick
shape = Square
marking = red brick with white lantern
height = Tower - convert|64|ft|m
elevation = Focal plane - convert|108|ft|m [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/focalheight.htm Terry Pepper, List of focal Planes.] ]
lens = Third orderFresnel Lens
currentlens =
intensity =
range = convert|11|mi|km [ [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, US Coast Guard Lightlist (PDF).] ]
characteristic = The Big Bay Point Light is alighthouse which stands on a tall bluff over rocky point [ [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Superior/BigBay.htm Wobser, David, Big Bay Point Light at Boatnerd.com] ] halfway between Marquette and theKeweenaw Portage Entry in theUpper Peninsula ofMichigan . Today it is the only operational lighthouse with abed and breakfast . It is reputed to be haunted, and the novel and movie "Anatomy of a Murder " were inspired by a murder at the lighthouse.History of the light
The establishment of a station at Big Bay Point was recommended to the Lighthouse board in 1882 as follows: "The point occupies a position midway between
Granite Island andHuron Islands , the distance in each case being 15 to 18 miles. These two lights are invisible from each other and the intervening stretch is unlighted. A light and fog signal would be a protection to steamers passing between these points. Quite a number of vessels have in past years been wrecked on Big Bay Point". [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/superior/bigbay/bigbay.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing The Light - Big Bay Point Lighthouse ] ]The lighthouse was deactivated and sold to private owners. Thereafter, the Fresnel lens was recovered and reinstalled in 1990.
Effective November 12, 1988, the site is listed on the National Inventory of Historic Places, Reference #88001837 Name of Listing: BIG BAY POINT LIGHT STATION. It is also listed on the state list. [ [http://www.michiganlights.com/bigbaypointlh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Big Bay Point Light.] ]
The light was built in 1896 [ [http://clarke.cmich.edu/lighthouses/lhtime1.htm Chronology of Michigan lighthouses, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.] ] at a cost of $25,000. It was automated in 1944. In 1961 the lighthouse was sold to John Pick for $40,000. Dr. Pick had it restored and furnished with antiques. It has been a
bed and breakfast since 1986.cite book
coauthors = Larry Wright, Patricia Wright | title =Bright Lights, Dark Nights | publisher =The Boston Mills Press | date =1999 | location =Erin, Ontario
pages =79 | id = ISBN 1-55046-312-8] Access to the grounds and tours of the light (and fog horn building) are available. [ [http://hunts-upguide.com/big_bay_big_bay_point_lighthouse_tour.html Hunt's Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Big Bay Point Light tours.] ]Because of its picturesque location, form and color it is often the subject of photographs, and drawings. [ [http://home.rochester.rr.com/mjm/light2.html Mulgrew, Marilyn, Drawing of Big Bay Point Light.] ]
Big Bay Point Light is one of 149 lighthouses in Michigan. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state. See
Lighthouses in the United States .Life at the light
The keeper's house consists of 18 rooms in a 52' x 52' two story brick building. The attached tower is tall enough to make the light 105' above
Lake Superior . Originally, this housed the keeper (and his family) and an assistant keeper with family as well. As the country moved to 8 hour shifts, a frame building with outhouse was built at the bottom of the hill for a second assistant keeper.At the time the light was built the only way to get to and from the light was by water. Those who worked at Big Bay Point were truly isolated. The keepers' wives not only had to do the usual housekeeping and food preparation, but also schooling of any children in residence.
Other structures on the site include two cisterns, an oil house, a garage, 2 brick
outhouse s, a dock. a well house [ [http://www.michiganlights.com/bigbaypointlh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Big Bay Point Light.] ] and a brickfog signal building, which houses the originalFresnel lens for display. [ [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Superior/BigBay.htm Wobser, David, Big Bay Point Light at boatnerd.com.] ]The light tower has intricate fortress style brick work near its apex, supporting an octagonal lantern and iron watch room. The light was automated in 1941. The station was sold in 1961 after a new light was erected on a steel tower on the grounds. [ [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Superior/BigBay.htm Wobser, David, Big Bay Point Light at boatnerd.com.] ]
Notable deaths at the light
There have been at least two notable deaths associated with the lighthouse, which have given rise to the belief that the light is haunted, and have inspired the book and movie "
Anatomy of a Murder ".Red-haired William Prior, who was the first lighthouse keeper at Big Bay point, was devastated when his son, Edward, died of a leg injury. He vanished in 1901 and his body was found almost a year and a half later hanging from a tree about a mile from the lighthouse. He may have committed suicide, or have been murdered. His red-haired ghost has been seen in mirrors, and doors have a tendency to bang in the middle of the night.
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