.jpg) Mission Point Light in October 2020 | |
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| Location | Peninsula Township, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 44°59′28.7″N85°28′46.1″W / 44.991306°N 85.479472°W /44.991306; -85.479472[citation needed] |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1870 |
| Construction | Wood |
| Height | 36 feet (11 m) |
| Shape | Square tower on dwelling |
| Markings | White with black trim |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1870 |
| Deactivated | 1933 |
| Focal height | 47 feet (14 m) |
| Lens | Fifth orderFresnel lens |
| Range | 8.7 nautical miles; 16 kilometres (10 mi)[citation needed] |
| Characteristic | Flashing W 6 seconds.[1] |
| Designated | October 15, 1992 |
Mission Point Light is a lighthouse located inMichigan at the end ofOld Mission Point, a peninsula jutting intoGrand Traverse Bay 17 miles (27 km) north ofTraverse City. It was built in 1870 as an exact copy of theMama Juda Light[2] (now destroyed), which was built on theDetroit River in 1866.[3]
The foundation is natural and emplaced. The wooden structure is painted white with black trim. The square tower is attached to a dwelling.[4]
A fixed white Fifth OrderFresnel lens was installed. The building was only one and a half stories tall. However, its placement on a sand bank 14 feet above the lake's surface created a lens focal plane of 47 feet (14 m). It was visible from 13 miles (21 km) at sea. It has been an ongoing struggle to maintain the dune and protect it and the lighthouse from erosion.[5]
The light served to warn mariners about the shoals off the point for 63 years. It was a working lighthouse from 1870 to 1933, when it was decommissioned. However, new techniques in offshore construction and the automation of lighthouse illumination made it possible to build a navigation aid on the shoal itself. In 1938, work was completed for the new stationary buoy light in 19 feet (5.8 m) of water, about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Mission Point. The light runs on batteries. It is on a 36-foot (11 m) tall tower, and its focal plane of 52 feet (16 m) makes it visible for 13 miles (21 km). It has a 30-second dwell time between flashes, in order to conserve power.[5] It is still maintained by the Coast Guard today and only shines North.
Famously, the lighthouse stands a few hundred yards south of the45th parallel north, halfway between theNorth Pole and theEquator. It was deactivated in 1933 and purchased by the State of Michigan.[6] There are a pair of signs that denote its location on the parallel,[7] one of 29 places in the U.S. with such signs.[8]
The lighthouse is located in Old Mission State Park, which is managed byPeninsula Township as Lighthouse Park at the northern end ofHighway M-37.[9] Visitors to the park enjoy the beach, hiking trails, and picnic areas. The park welcomes about 100,000 visitors annually from every state and dozens of foreign countries.
The lighthouse society sought volunteers to work and live in the Mission Point Light during 2008. There is a fee, which benefits the light.[10]
In 2008, the building opened for the first time to the public with a small museum after serving for many years as the park manager's residence.[6] Today, the lighthouse has a very popular and unique keeper program. The weekly keepers run the gift shop from May through October and get to stay in the updated lighthouse keeper's quarters.
The area around the lighthouse attracts many cross country skiers. The location is becoming increasingly popular, which has subjected it to environmental issues that are being addressed by Peninsula Township.[11]
TheOld Mission Peninsula is said to be a premier place to sea kayak.[11] Maps, rentals, and guided tours are available.[12]
Mission Point is visited by about 100,000 people annually.
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Authority control databases: Geographic |
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