Lighthouse History : Due to the extreme depths close to the shoreline, sounding to maintain a safe distance from the rocky shoreline is difficult. This along with the large iron ore deposits in the area creating erratic compass readings were reason enough for the construction of this lighthouse. Prior to it's construction there were several shipwrecks in foggy weather. The light stands atop a 125 feet tall cliff. The tower is 54 feet tall with a lens focal plane of 168 feet above lake level. All of the materials used for construction were brought in by ships and then hoisted up the cliff. Supplies were brought to the light keepers from the water and hoisted by derrick for the first six years of operation. In 1916 an elevated tramway was installed for use instead of the derrick. In 1934 supplies started to be received by truck.

For 29 years it was fitted with a 370,000 candlepower incandescent oil vapor lamp on a Third Order Fresnel lens. It's range was rated at 24 miles but could sometimes be seen near the Apostle Islands 45 miles away. The lamp was replaced with a 1,000 watt electric bulb in 1939. A fog signal building, oil storage building, three two story brick dwellings and three barns were originally constructed at this site. The station was initially manned by three keepers with their families. In 1969 the Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse. In 1975 the Minnesota Historical Society acquired the property and now operates it as a historical site.

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

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