Poe Reef, MI

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

Poe Reef

Northern Lake Huron, MI

Built : 1929

Type : Square, brick

Status : Active

Location : The Straits of Mackinaw South Channel. Northern Lake Huron between Bois Blanc Island and Cordwood Point on Michigan's mainland.

Height : 76 feet

Access : Boat

The Poe Reef: Originally marked with a lightship, this reef is located between Bois Blanc Island and Cordwood Point on Michigan's lower peninsula mainland. As many ships travel this area heading to and from Lake Michigan, a lightship was stationed here, marking the dangerous area, from 1893 until construction of the Poe Reef lighthouse was completed. LV103 / WAL526 Huron was one of the lightships that temporarily served at this station.

History of the Light : A base camp from Government Island, along with all of the equipment, was moved to the mouth of the Cheboygan River in 1927 after the completion of the Martin Reef lighthouse. This was then used for construction of the Poe Reef and Fourteen Foot Shoal lighthouses.

A foundation crib and foundation was constructed with a similar process to that of the Martin Reef lighthouse. A pier was constructed of concrete measuring 64 feet square and 45 feet tall with an external "wave flare" and internal storage areas.

The foundation supports a white, square, steel tower, covered with steel sheeting. The square tower measures 25 feet by 38 feet tall. The tower housed the keepers quarters in it's upper floors. The power equipment for the lights, fog horn and radio communications was housed in the lower (deck) level. Atop the tower is a 16 foot square by 10 feet tall watch room. An octagonal lantern room sits above the watch room with a red top and housing a Fifth Order Fresnel lens. Construction was completed in 1929. Currently it houses an electric light that was automated in 1974 producing a focal plane at 71 feet above mean lake level. The lighthouse also houses a fog signal that sounds every 1 minute 15 seconds. It's current markings are white with black bands and a red cap.