Little Sable Point Light

Infobox_Lighthouse


caption = Listed in National Register of Historic Places
location = Ten miles South of Pentwater, Michigan
coordinates = coord|43|39|6|N|86|32|20|W|region:US_type:landmark
yearbuilt = Tower, 1874
yearlit = 1874 [ [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/littlesa.htm "Inventory of Historic Light Stations: Michigan Lighthouses"] , Maritime Heritage Program, National Park Service, accessed 2008-07-06]
automated = 1955 [ [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/littlesa.htm "Inventory of Historic Light Stations: Michigan Lighthouses"] , Maritime Heritage Program, National Park Service, accessed 2008-07-06]
yeardeactivated =
foundation = 109 wooden piles, driven into sand [Tag, Thomas A., "Little Sable Point Light Station", Softcover (Dayton, OH: Data Image, 1996) p. 35. ISBN 0-9649980-1-7]
construction = Rust brick, [Italianate] bracketing
shape = Conical
height = Tower - convert|107|ft|m [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/towers.htm Terry Pepper, database on heights and focal planes.] ]
elevation = Focal plane - convert|108|ft|m
marking = Red brick, Natural (orig. white), black trim and lantern [ [http://www.michiganlights.com/littlesablepointlh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Little Sable Point Light.] ]
lens = Third-Order Fresnel lens
currentlens = Third-Order Fresnel lens
range = 17 miles
characteristic = Flashing White, 1 flash every 6 sec. [Tag, Thomas A., "Little Sable Point Light Statio"n, Softcover (Dayton, OH: Data Image, 1996) p. 10. ISBN 0-9649980-1-7 ]

Infobox nrhp
name = LITTLE SABLE POINT LIGHT STATION (U.S. COAST GUARD/GREAT LAKES
nrhp_type =
architect= Col. Orlando M. Poe
designated =
refnum = 84001827
mpsub=U.S. Coast Guard Lighthouses and Light Stations on the Great Lakes TR
governing_body = U.S. Coast Guard and State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources [ [http://www.michiganlights.com/littlesablepointlh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Little Sable Point Light.] ] The Little Sable Point Light is located south of Pentwater in the U.S. state of Michigan. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/michigan/littlesable/littlesable.htm "Little Sable Point Lighthouse"] , Seeing The Light] It is in the southwest corner of Golden Township, just south of Silver Lake State Park.

The lighthouse was designed by Col. Orlando M. Poe and has been described as "Poe style". [ [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/littlesable.htm Wobser, David, boatnerd.com, Little Sable Point Light.] ]

Originally named "Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse" and used on most official records but was changed officially in 1910. [Tag, Thomas A., "Little Sable Point Light Station", Softcover (Dayton, OH: Data Image, 1996) p. 6. ISBN 0-9649980-1-7] Although commonly called "Little Sable Point Light", it is listed by the National Park Service under "Little Point Sable Light". [ [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/littlesa.htm "Inventory of Historic Light Stations: Michigan Lighthouses"] , Maritime Heritage Program, National Park Service, accessed 2008-07-06]

The lantern room has eight fixed panels in its lower section, and the upper has ten rotating panels.

In 1954, the Lighthouse keeper's dwelling was destroyed by the Coast Guard when electricity reached the sight and the light was automated. "Evidence of the connection between the dwelling and tower are obvious to the visitor." [ [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/littlesable.htm Wobser, David, boatnerd.com, Little Sable Point Light.] ]

Prior to 1900, the brick was left in its natural color and state, as it was unusually hard and held up well to the elements. (Unlike its sister, Big Sable Point Light, which was made from Cream City Brick, and had to be encased in steel to retard the deterioration.) Having it in natural tones, however, was a boon to the Lighthouse keeper, who did not have to apply a yearly coat of whitewash. In 1900 the light was painted white for the first time, to assuage the complaints of mariners who said the brick was difficult to see. It remained that color until 1975, when it was sand blasted, and returned to its natural color. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/littlesable/littlesable.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Little Sable Light.] ] The lantern is capped by a copper roof. [ [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/littlesable.htm Wobser, David, boatnerd.com, Little Sable Point Light.] ]

For the first time in over 50 years (last open in 1949), in June, 2006, the lighthouse opened to the public, so they can now climb its 139 steps and view the Third Order Fresnel lens (manufactured by Sautter & Co. of Paris) and the panoramic landscape. It is open Fridays through Sundays, from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM from the first weekend in June through the end of August. [ [http://www.wkla.com/newsarchive.php?mn_id=06 Neushwander, Alan, "Little Sable Point Lighthouse Opens To The Public", WKLA, Jun. 02 2006.] [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/littlesable/littlesable.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Little Sable Light.] ]

Because of its exposed location far out into the lake, it is considered to be one of the finest windsurfing spots on "the big pond." [ [http://thewindmap.com/wiki/index.php/Little_Sable_Point-North_America Michigan Windsurfing, Little Sable Point.] ]

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is not listed on the State Register, but is in a protected area, "i.e.", a state park.

Bibliography and further 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.
* Penrose, Laurie and Bill, A" Traveler’s Guide to 116 Michigan Lighthouses" (Petoskey, Michigan: Friede Publications, 1999). ISBN 0923756035 ISBN 9780923756031
*
* Putnam, George R., "Lighthouses and Lightships of the United States", (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1933).
* Tag, Thomas A., "Little Sable Point Light Station", Softcover (Dayton, OH: Data Image, 1996) p. 35. ISBN 0-9649980-1-7.
* 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.

External links

* [http://marinas.com/view/lighthouse/312 Aerial photos, Little Sable Point Light, marinas.com.]
* [http://www.bigsablelighthouse.org/ Big Sable Point Light official site.]
* [http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPECIAL01/80519001 Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.]
* [http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/mapIt.htm?file=GL/MichiganNorth.xml Interactive map of Lights in Northern Lake Michigan, mapped by Google.]
* [http://www.lighthousecentral.com/lighthouse_gallery.php4?lighthouse=Little%20Sable%20Point%20Light Lighthouse Central, Photographs, History, Directions and Way points for Little Sable Point 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, Little Sable Point (University of North Carolina.]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=193 Lighthouse friends article, Little Sable Point.]
* [http://www.lighthousecentral.com/lighthouse_gallery.php4?lighthouse=Little%20Sable%20Point%20Light Lighthouses Photos, History, Waypoints and Directions to the Light.]
* [http://www.michiganlights.com/littlesablepointlh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Little Sable Point Light.]
* National Park Service [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/littlesa.htm "Inventory of Historic Light Stations: Michigan Lighthouses" Little Sable Point] .
* [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/littlesable/littlesable.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Little Sable Light.]
* [http://splka.org/ Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association.]
* U.S. Coast Guard [http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHMI.asp 's complete list of Michigan lights with photographs and descriptions, including Little Sable Point.]
* [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, United States Coast Guard Lightlist (PDF).]
* [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/littlesable.htm Wobser, David, boatnerd.com, Little Sable Point Light.]

ee also

*Lighthouses in the United States

Notes