Up the River

Friday, July 1, 2016

We got up this morning and headed to Detroit to visit lighthouses there and in surrounding areas.  This is a view of the Detroit skyline and of Catholic church which I thought was beautiful. 

The first lighthouse we saw in Detroit, Michigan, was the Windmill Point Lighthouse.  This lighthouse is on land and located in a popular fishing spot along the Detroit River.  This lighthouse marks the junction of the Detroit River and Lake St.Clair.  It was built in 1838 and has an unusual light in that it is not encased in a light tower nor does it have a Fresnel lens.  Very unusual and the first we have seen of this kind.  The Windmill Point Lighthouse got its' name because in the early years there was a huge windmill nearby.  At some point in time, the land was purchased, including the lighthouse, and a huge Marine Hospital was built.  All is now gone except the lighthouse and the land is now called Marine Park.

Windmill Point Lighthouse

Our next stop would be the Peche Rear Range Lighthouse, located in Marine City, Michigan.  The original Front and Rear Range Lights were nothing but poles with lanterns hanging from them beginning in 1898.  Every year for decades, the ice would wash then away, and every year they were rebuilt.  Various techniques were tried to stabilize them but nothing worked.  At some point, the poles were replaced by a square and a conical tower..  It 1980, the Rear Range Light had a severe tilt.  Michigan Bank acquired the lighthouse which was due to be torn down, restored it and placed it on the river front in Marine City, Michigan. Skelton towers that display fixed white lights, serve Peche Island Range today.  The actual name of Peche Island is Ile de Peches - French for Fisheries Island, and is actually in Canada which we could see from the shore.  The locals call it "Peach" Island. 

Peche Island Range Light

Our last lighthouse of the day was the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse located at a Coast Guard Station in Port Huron, Michigan.   The lighthouse built in 1825, marked the entrance to the St.Clair River from Lake Huron.  Shortly after being built, it fell over due to erosion and ice.  In 1829, the current light was constructed.  Lighthouses and forts were often combined.  The light the way, the fort to guard the passage. 

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

Fort Gratiot

Just a few comments.  Detroit was not my favorite city to visit, and Marine City was quaint and inviting.  We ate at an outdoor café and then explored some of the local shops.  We did not go through the town of Port Huron as the lighthouse was located on the outskirts of town.

Til next time...............