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The History of the South
Channel Lights |
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Lake St. Clair has two lighthouse structures
built before Abraham Lincoln was President
of the United States. They still stand today
just off the southeastern tip of Harsens
Island . Construction of the Old South
Channel Range Lights started in 1855 and
finished in 1859. These lights guided ships
into the fresh water delta once known as the
Venice of America. |
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The front light began to lean in 1875 and
was dismantled and rebuilt on the same stone
and timber crib that it had been built on
originally. It remained but is again leaning
and in very bad condition from erosion of
the base. In 1990, we placed a steel cell
around the base, reinforced and filled it
with limestone for temporary support until a
permanent seawall cold be built. In the fall
of 1996, a permanent seawall was completed
around the front light island. |
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The rear light was built on the same type of
crib but has weathered the elements over the
years. There was a large keeper's house on
the island surrounding the light that was
taken down in the early 1930s. Vandalism has
played a part in the overall deterioration
and, combined with age and the elements, the
rear light is also in need of major
foundation work. |
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If this maritime heritage on Lake St. Clair
is to be saved, restoration efforts must
continue. Save Our South Channel Lights is
an all-volunteer, non profit organization
that was formed to accomplish this. The
lights have been placed on the National
Register of Historic Places. With your help,
we will pursue our efforts to preserve these
remarkable pieces of Lake St. Clair history |
