St. Clair Flats Range Rear Lighthouse

Oct. 17, 2019
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St. Clair Flats Range Rear Lighthouse, Lake St. Clair, Michigan

Built in 1859.

ST. CLAIR FLATS SOUTH CHANNEL RANGE LIGHTS

Location: OFF HARSENS ISLAND/LAKE ST. CLAIR
Station Established: 1859
Year Current Towers First Lit: 1859
Operational: 
          Front Range: Yes
          Rear Range: No
Automated:  ?
Deactivated: (see historical description below)
Foundation Materials:
          Rear: Wooden crib filled with stone
          Front: Submerged timber crib
Construction Materials:
          Rear: Brick
          Front: Brick
Shape:
          Rear: Conical 
          Front: "Small, yellow-brick tower, on crib"
Tower height:
          Rear: 44 feet above lake level
          Front: 28 feet above lake level
Original Optics:
          Rear: 4th Order
          Front: 6th Order
Markings/Pattern:
          Rear: Yellow brick
          Front: Yellow brick, on crib, connected with dwelling by covered way.
Characteristics: fixed white (both)
Foghorn: None

Historical Information:

  • Construction of the South Channel Range Lights began in 1855 and was completed in 1859.
  • The front light began to lean in 1875 and was dismantled, the crib rebuilt, and the light returned to service.
  • The lights were taken out of service in 1907.
  • At some point the front light was put back into service and remains an active aid to navigation
  • The keeper's house on the rear light was dismantled in the early 1930s.