St. Helena Island, MI

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

St. Helena Island

Northern Lake Michigan, MI

Built : 1873

Type : Conical, brick

Status : Active

Location : Northern Lake Michigan. Northwest of Mackinaw City.

Height : 71 feet

Access : Boat

Markings/Pattern: White with red lantern

History of the Light : On June 10, 1872 Congress appropriated $14,000 for construction of a lighthouse on St. Helena Island. A cylindrical brick tower standing 71 feet tall with an attached, two-story brick keeper's house was completed and operational in 1873. The keeper's dwelling with a gabled roof measures 26 by 31 feet. It was fitted with an acetylene lamp and a Third and a Half Order Fresnel lens manufactured by Le Paute.

The light station was automated in 1922 in a rather unusual way. The sun expanded metal rods that would restrict the fuel supply. When the sun started going down the rods would cool, re-opening the fuel supply and allowing the light to burn brightly. The original lens remained in place until being replaced with a 300 millimeter plastic beacon.

Partial List of Keepers - 1873 thru 1922
1873 - 1875	Thomas Dunn
1888 - 1900	Charles Marshall
1901 - 1920	Joseph LaFountaine
1920 - 1922	Wallace Hall