Ludington Light

Infobox Lighthouse


caption = Ludington Light
location = Ludington, Michigan
coordinates = coord|43|57|13.1|N|86|28|9.7|W|region:US_type:landmark
yearlit = 1924
automated = 1972
yeardeactivated = N/A
foundation = Pier
construction = Steel / Reinforced concrete
shape = Square Pyramidal
marking = white with black lantern
height = Tower - convert|57|ft|m
elevation = Focal plane - convert|55|ft|m
lens = fifth order Fresnel Lens
currentlens = 300 m.m. Tidelands Signal acrylic
intensity = 5000 candles
range = range = convert|15|mi|km
characteristic = Iso G 6s 55
fogsignal = HORN: 2 blasts ev 30s (2s bl-2s si-2s bl-24s si). Operates from Apr. 1 to Oct. 1. [ [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, USCG Lightlist for the Great Lakes (PDF).] ]
admiralty =
NGA =
ARLHS = USA-460
USCG = 7-18530

The Ludington Light is a 57-foot-tall steel-plated lighthouse in Ludington, Michigan, which lies along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, at the end of the breakwater on the Pere Marquette Harbor. Given its location on the northern breakwater where the Pere Marquette River meets Lake Michigan, it is sometimes known as the Ludington North Breakwater Light. Underlying the building itself is a prow-like structure, which is designed to break waves.

The station was established in 1871. This light was first lit in 1924, and it is presently operational. It was automated in 1972. The light is structurally integrated into the steel and reinforced concrete pier upon which it is built. It has a square pyramidal form, and is white with a black lantern. The original lens was a Fourth Order Fresnel lens. [ [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHMI.html USCG's complete list of Michigan lights.] ] On October 17, 1995 the Fresnel lens was removed from the lantern. It was replaced by a Tidelands Signal 300 mm acrylic optic. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/closeups/illumination/acrylic/300mm/300mm.htm See, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Tidelands Signal 300 mm optic.] ] The original lens was loaned to Historic White Pine Village where it is displayed as part of their maritime history exhibit. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/michigan/ludington/ludington.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Ludington Light.] ]

A fog signal building is integrated into the tower. It originally had a Type F Diaphone signal, and a FA-232 is now in operation. A radiobeacon is also in place and operational. [ [http://www.michiganlights.com/ludingtonnorthpierlh.htm Ludington Lighthouse Page from Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy.] ]

In 2006, the Ludington Breakwater Lighthouse was opened to the public for the first time in its history. The Coast Guard transferred ownership to the City of Ludington under the terms of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. and it is being operated and maintained in partnership with the Big Sable Lighthouse Keepers Association [ [http://www.lighthousedigest.com/Newsletter.cfm?val=149 Lighthouse depot newsletter.] ] which is a volunteer group that maintains, restores and operates this light and the Big Sable Point Light. [ [http://www.bigsablelighthouse.org/ Big Sable Point Lighthouse Association.] ]

The lighthouse is open to the public a few days each summer for climbing tours. Schedules of days open can be obtained at the Visitor's Center downtown. It is currently operational as an active aid to navigation.

Directions

From approximately 3.75 miles to Stearns Park. The North Breakwater can be accessed from the park.

Additional reading

* [http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/bibliography.html Bibliography on Michigan lighthouses.]
* Crompton, Samuel Willard & Michael J. Rhein, "The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses" (2002) ISBN 1592231020; ISBN 978-1592231027.
* Hyde, Charles K., and Ann and John Mahan. "The Northern Lights: Lighthouses of the Upper Great Lakes." Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995. ISBN 0814325548 ISBN 9780814325544.
* Jones, Ray & Bruce Roberts, "American Lighthouses" (Globe Pequot, September 1, 1998, 1st Ed.) ISBN 0762703245; ISBN 978-0762703241.
* Jones, Ray,"The Lighthouse Encyclopedia, The Definitive Reference" (Globe Pequot, January 1, 2004, 1st ed.) ISBN 0762727357; ISBN 978-0762727353.
* Noble, Dennis, "Lighthouses & Keepers: U. S. Lighthouse Service and Its Legacy" (Annapolis: U. S. Naval Institute Press, 1997). ISBN 1557506388; ISBN 9781557506382.
* Oleszewski, Wes, "Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses", (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) ISBN 0-932212-98-0.
* Penrod, John, "Lighthouses of Michigan", (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) ISBN 9780942618785 ISBN 9781893624238.
*
* Putnam, George R., "Lighthouses and Lightships of the United States", (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1933).
* United States Coast Guard, "Aids to Navigation", (Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1945).
* [http://www.uscg.mil/History/weblighthouses/h_lhbib.asp United States Coast Guard, "Aids to Navigation Historical Bibliography".]
*
* Wagner, John L., "Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective", (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) ISBN 1880311011 ISBN 9781880311011.
* Wargin, Ed, "Legends of Light: A Michigan Lighthouse Portfolio" (Ann Arbor Media Group, 2006). ISBN 9781587262517.
* Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia, "Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia" Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) ISBN 1550463993

Notes

External links

* [http://marinas.com/view/lighthouse/313 Aerial photos, Ludington Pier Light, marinas.com.]
* [http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPECIAL01/80519001 Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.]
* [http://www.lighthousecentral.com/lighthouse_gallery.php4?lighthouse=Ludington%20North%20Breakwater%20Light Lighthouse Central, Photographs, History, Directions and Way points for Ludington North Breakwater Light, "The Ultimate Guide to West Michigan Lighthouses" by Jerry Roach (Publisher: Bugs Publishing LLC - 2005).] ISBN 0-9747977-0-7.
* [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/miwl.htm Lighthouse Digest, Western Michigan lights, Ludington North Breakwater Light (University of North Carolina.]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=195 Lighthousefriends.com, Ludington North Breakwater Light.]
* [http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8F920C0BE3B4D058 Videos of Ludington Lighthouse.]
* [http://www.michiganlights.com/ludingtonnorthpierlh.htm Ludington Lighthouse Page from Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy.]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_mhc_shpo_Ludington_Light_fact_sheet_118713_7.pdf National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act FACT SHEET (March 7, 2005).]
* National Park Service [http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/ludingbk.htm Maritime Heritage Project, Inventory of Historic Lighthouses, Ludington North Breakwater Light.]
* [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/michigan/ludington/ludington.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Ludington North Breakwater Light.]
* [http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/mapIt.htm?file=GL/MichiganNorth.xml Interactive map of Lights in Northern Lake Michigan, mapped by Google.]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_mhc_shpo_lightmap_50933_7.pdf Map of Michigan Lighthouse] in PDF Format.
* U.S. Coast Guard [http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHMI.asp 's complete list of Michigan lights with photographs and descriptions, including Ludington Light.]
* [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, USCG Lightlist for the Great Lakes (PDF).]
* [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/ludington.htm Wobser, David, Ludington North Breakwater Light, boatnerd.com.]

ee also

*Lighthouses in the United States