Little Sable Point Light, Mears, Michigan
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KG1960
N 43° 39.078 W 086° 32.364
16T E 537143 N 4833247
A lighthouse on the shore of Lake Michigan at Little Sable Point near Mears, MI.
Waymark Code: WM10E8
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 12/02/2006
Views: 55
This lighthouse is on the shore of Lake Michigan at Little Sable Point near Mears, MI. It is one of the tallest lighthouses on Lake Michigan.
After a ship or two went aground at this point, the need for a lighthouse became apparent. Completed in the Spring of 1874, the 107-foot tall round red brick tower is topped a brick watch room surrounded by a cast iron walkway supported by cast iron supports. The tower is the typical Poe-style with four arched windows under the gallery. The lantern room is 10-sided and topped by a copper roof.
The lantern room contains a Third-Order Fresnel lens, manufactured by Sautter & Co. of Paris. The lower portion consists of 8 fixed panels, the upper portion 10 rotating panels.
The keeper's dwelling was demolished by Coast Guard in 1954 when light was automated and electric power reached this remote site. Evidence of the connection between the dwelling and tower are obvious to the visitor.
More recently this area became part of the state park system, and this lighthouse is now located in Silver Lake State Park, and the closest town is Mears, MI. Being a Michigan State Park, there is an entrance fee, which is something like $6 a day for Michigan residents and $8 a day for non-residents. Annual passes are also available (good in all MI state parks). Part of the fee helps preserve this lighthouse.
This area is also a very nice beach and on hot summer days, the parking lot may become crowded. Otherwise, one may likely be able to park less than a 100 yards from the lighthouse.
Coastal Lighthouse: Lighthouse
Range Lights: Front Range Light
LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE VISIT: Not listed
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