Granite Island, MI


Photographer: Roy B. Westin Photographer: Roy B. Westin	Granite Island Marquette, Michigan Built : 1868 Construction : Square, granite Status : Active Location : 20 miles Northeast of Marquette, MI Height : 40 feet Access : Boat, 20 miles Northeast of Marquette, MI Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard
History : Seemingly out in the middle of nowhere, the Granite Island Light needs no explanation as to why a light was needed here. As you can see by the photo, this Island is very small and rocky. The Light itself was constructed from the very rock it sits upon, Granite. Although of typical construction for a Lake Superior Light, this Light is very artistic with its limestone corners and window framing. The Lighthouse Board reported the need for a light on Granite Island in 1866 because of it's location being very close to the coastal shipping lanes. Congress appointed $20,000 and construction began on march 2, 1867. The first large task was to blast away the top of the island to create a flat area for the lighthouse. The lighthouse is built of rough coursed granite blocks and coursed ashlar used on the cornices, doorways and window frames. Completed in 1868, the 10 feet square tower with 21 inch thick walls, stands 40 feet tall. A 10 sided cast iron lantern stands atop that originally housed a Fourth-Order Fresnel lens with flash panels operated by a clock-work mechanism. The system, manufactured by Le Paute of Paris, rotated counter-clockwise. A lens focal plane of 89 feet above lake level is produced. A rectangular keeper's house measuring 28 feet by 43 feet with a gable roof is attached to the tower. The lens has been replaced by a plastic beacon and automated in 1939. The U.S. Coast Guard still operates this light, however it is in need of attention due to its state of decay.