St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Light

St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Light are two lighthouse structures situated off the southeastern tip of Harsens Island at Lake St. Clair. Constructed 1855–1859 the Old South Channel Range Lights were built to guide ships into the fresh water delta once known as the Venice of America.

The front light began to lean in 1875 and was dismantled and rebuilt on the same stone and timber crib that it had been built on originally. It remained but is again leaning and in very bad condition from erosion of the base. In 1990, a steel cell was placed around the base, reinforced and filled with limestone for temporary support until a permanent seawall cold be built. In the fall of 1996, a permanent seawall was completed around the front light island.

The rear light was built on the same type of crib but has weathered the elements over the years. There was a large keeper's house on the island surrounding the light that was taken down in the early 1930s. Vandalism has played a part in the overall deterioration and, combined with age and the elements, the rear light is also in need of major foundation work.

Current Restoration has been taking place on the rear light

ee also

* Lighthouses in Michigan

External links

* [http://www.lighthousecentral.com/lighthouse_gallery.php4?lighthouse=St.%20Clair%20Flats%20Range%20Lights Lighthouse Central, Photographs, History, Directions and Way points for St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Lights, "The Ultimate Guide to East Michigan Lighthouses" by Jerry Roach] (Publisher: Bugs Publishing LLC - July 2006).] ISBN 0974797715; ISBN 9780974797717.
* [http://www.soschannellights.org/ Official Save Our South Channel Lights page]
* U.S. Coast Guard [http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHMI.asp 's complete list of Michigan lights with photographs and descriptions, including St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Light.]