Bois Blanc Light

Infobox_Lighthouse


caption = 1867 Bois Blanc Lighthouse (showing 1924 steel tower)
location = Bois Blanc Island, Michigan
coordinates = coord|45.811|-84.422
yearlit = 1867
automated =
yeardeactivated = 1924
foundation =
construction = yellow brick
shape = square
marking = Natural w/white lantern
height = Tower - convert|38|ft|m
elevation = Focal plane - convert|53|ft|m [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/focalheight.htm Database on Focal Plane, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.] ]
lens = Fourth order Fresnel Lens
currentlens = removed
range = convert|13.5|mi|km
characteristic = [ [http://www.uscg.mil/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHMI.asp United States Coast Guard History.] ]

Bois Blanc Light can refer to one of five lighthouses erected on Bois Blanc Island, Michigan, in Lake Huron. Two of the lighthouses are currently standing.

History

The original structure, built in 1829, was the second lighthouse constructed on Lake Huron. [cite web|url=http://clarke.cmich.edu/lighthouses/lhtime1.htm |author= Wagner, John L. |title="Beacons Shining in the Night: The Lighthouses of Michigan -- Chronology" | publisher=Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University] Due to rising water levels, the lighthouse became unstable, and eventually collapsed on December 9, 1837. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/boisblanc/index.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Bois Blanc Island lights.] ] The lighthouse was rebuilt in the summer of 1839, further inland from the original structure. Eventually this structure also became dilapidated, and a new lighthouse was constructed in 1867.

This light was decommissioned in 1924 and boarded up, being replaced by an automated acetylene light atop a 35-foot tall black steel skeleton tower to the east of the old light. The old station property and buildings were sold to Earl J. Coffey on August 24, 1925, and some time thereafter the steel skeletal tower was replaced by the currently operational cylindrical D9 tower with solar-powered 200 mm acrylic optic, which is basically a tube with a light on the top. It is functional, but spartan.

Legacy

The 1867 lighthouse is now owned by the Martin and Reinhart Jahn families, who have gone to great lengths in restoring the historic structure, which was in severely deteriorated condition when they took ownership. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/boisblanc/index.htm Terry Pepper Seeing the Light Bois Blanc Island lights.] ] The structures on the site are a remarkably complete set, and also include the old life saving station. a brick outhouse, a brick oil shed, and a cement boathouse on the South side of the island. [ [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/boisblc.htm National Park Service, Maritime Heritage Program, Inventory of Historic Lights, Old Bois Blanc Island light.] ]

The light is listed on the state inventory of historic structures. [ [http://www.michiganlights.com/boisblancislandllh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Bois Blanc Light.] ]

A private boat is, of course, the best way to see this light close up. Short of that, Shepler's Ferry Service out of Mackinaw City offers periodic lighthouse cruises in the summer season. Its "Eastbound Tour" includes passes by Round Island Light, Bois Blanc Island and Lighthouse, Poe Reef Light and Fourteen Foot Shoal Light. Schedules and rates are available from Shepler's. [ [http://www.sheplerswww.com Shepler's Ferry Service.] ] [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/huron/fourteen/index.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Fourteen Foot Shoal Light.] ]

References

Further reading

* "A Tour of the Lights of the Straits." Michigan History 70 (Sep/Oct 1986), pp. 17-29.
* [http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/bibliography.html Bibliography on Michigan lighthouses.]
* Brisson, Steven C. (Mackinac State Historic Parks chief curator). "Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse: A History & Pictorial Souvenir" (1/29/2008). [ [http://www.mackinacparks.com/news/old-mackinac-point-lighthouse_11/mackinac-state-historic-parks-releases-first-book-about-old-mackinac-point-lighthouse_243/ Old Mackinac Point Light Press Release.] ]
* 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).
*
* 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.
* 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"]

External links

* [http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPECIAL01/80519001 Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.]
* [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/miel.htm Lighthouse Digest, Bois Blanc Light, University of North Carolina.]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/macstraits.html Lighthouses in the Mackinac Straits, Lighthouse Friends.]
* [http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronNE.htm Interactive map, pictures, descriptions of Northern Lake Huron lights.]
* [http://www.michiganlights.com/boisblancislandllh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Bois Blanc Light.]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=718 Michigan Lighthouse Friends, Bois Blanc Light.]
* National Park Service [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/boisblc.htm Maritime Heritage Program, Inventory of Historic Lights, Old Bois Blanc Island light.]
* [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/boisblanc/index.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Bois Blanc Island lights.]
* U.S. Coast Guard [http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHMI.asp 's complete list of Michigan lights, with description of Old Bois Blanc Light.]
* [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, US Coast Guard Lightlist (PDF).]
* [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Huron/boisblanc.htm Wobser, David, Bois Blanc Island Light at Boatnerd.com.]