Crisp
Point Light Crisp Point was originally the site of the Life Saving Station Number 10 constructed in 1876. The point was named after the first keeper of the Life Saving Station, Christopher Crisp. In 1903 a fog signal was activated and in 1904 this white conical lighthouse was constructed on the site. The tower is 58 feet high and contained a fourth order red Fresnel lens by Sautter and Lemonnier of Paris, France. The lighthouse was eventually automated. All buildings at this site were razed in 1965 except for the actual lighthouse and the service room that it was connected to. Lake Superior had eroded much of the shoreline between the lake and the lighthouse. In November 1996 the foundation to the service room was washed away in one day during a storm. The room later collapsed into the lake. The Crisp Point Light Historical Society was formed to save and restore this lighthouse. In 1997 the light became the property of Luce County and leased to the Historical Society. Erosion control efforts are part of the groups efforts to stabilize the structure. In 1998 stone was placed around the base of the light to protect its ten foot deep concrete foundation. Today, the Crisp Point Light Historical Society is actively engaged with maintaining, operating, and restoring Crisp Point Light. In the summer of 2006, The Society began restoration of the service building. The restoration has been completed along with a nearby visitors center and restroom building.
2013 Update: Crisp Point Lighthouse is located in the northeast
corner of Luce County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula along the south shore of
Lake Superior about 15 miles west of Whitefish Point. With Crisp Point Light Historical Society (CPLHS)
lifetime member Cameron Lovett doing most of the research into the
possibility of re-lighting the light, the necessary paperwork and
confirmation from the State Historical Presentation Office (SHPO) was
obtained. CPLHS received a permit from the United States Coast
Guard to install a light in the tower and the project was ready to go. A
fundraiser was announced at the CPLHS July 2012 conference to begin raising
money to purchase a 300mm LED marine light and the response was
overwhelming. The Crisp Point Light Historical Society is a
non-profit 501 C3 whose sole source of income which is used to continue the
restoration and upkeep of the Crisp Point Lighthouse comes from donations,
membership fees and Crisp Point related merchandise sales. No state or
federal funds have been used since 2001. In addition to all the research work done by Cameron,
lifetime member and board of director’s member, John Raths, manufactured all
the necessary hardware needed to install the light, battery and solar panel.
Over the winter the major task of installing the light in the tower, in some
pretty bad winter weather, was completed by CPLHS President, Rick Brockway
and two of Rick’s snowmobiling buddies, Mike Allen and Tom Lander. CPLHS
lifetime member and board of director’s member, Stan Klein, also assisted
with the installation. CPLHS founders Don & Nellie Ross’ dream that Crisp
Point Light will shine again, will now be fulfilled. The Crisp Point Light Station was deactivated in 1939
when the Coast Guard took over control of the lighthouse stations from the
Lighthouse Service, but the light at Crisp Point stayed on until late 1993.
Over the years, there were several updates to how the light was powered,
with the last major update done in 1983 when solar panels were installed to
help keep the battery bank charged. The modern light will be LED powered by
a single battery and charged by solar. The Crisp Point Lighthouse and grounds are owned by
Luce County but are cared for by the Crisp Point Light Historical Society
and it’s 450 plus members and families. They have helped monetarily, they
have been lighthouse keepers, and they have done work on the preservation
effort, upkeep, and caring for the grounds, lighthouse and visitor’s center.
Lighthouse fans are invited come to see what some
amazing people have done to preserve one of the most threatened lighthouses
on the Great Lakes. Crisp Point will leave the light on for you!
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