The new taller light tower helped guide vessels away from the hazardous reef, but wrecks continued to occur. The tower is attached to a 2-story, brick keeper's dwelling by a matching brick passageway. A rotating Third Order Fresnel lens provided a flash every two minutes visible as far as 14 nautical miles 26 kilometres (16 mi) out on the lake. The present 1857 light is a conical white brick tower, 89 feet (27 m) tall, with a focal plane of 93 feet (28 m) above Lake Huron. The tower was poorly constructed and needed to be replaced after only 10 years. It was first lit for the 1848 shipping season. The first light tower was built on this location in 1847, at a cost of $5,000. In 1849 the keeper's dwelling burned to the ground. The first keeper, Peter Shook, and his family moved in in 1848. Polk appropriated $5,000 to build the first lighthouse structure on July 3, 1847. The lighthouse was intended to be constructed near the Thumb's most northwestern point at Pointe Aux Barques however it was ultimately constructed approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) east / southeast in what is now Huron Township. A lighthouse had been established at the mouth of the Saginaw River as early as 1841, but the trip to Saginaw Bay required steering clear of Pointe aux Barques reef.
Pointe aux Barques was also used as a turning point for vessels destined to the Saginaw River. The reef is only covered by some two feet of water and stuck out nearly two miles into Lake Huron. Any vessel sailing up the Lake Huron coast stood a good chance of running aground on the reef extending out from Pointe aux Barques. The next light to the north was located at Thunder Bay Island (1832), more than 150 miles (240 km) north of Fort Gratiot. Clair River and soon left the sight of the 1825 Fort Gratiot Light and began the perilous trip north along the Lake Huron shore. A modern beacon, now maintained by the Coast Guard, was placed back in the lantern room in 1991.Sailing schooners left Detroit and the St. At the start of World War II, the United States government seized the lighthouse for national defense and after the war it was returned. The current Old Field Point Lighthouse was completed in 1869 and in 1933 it was deactivated, and the property was given to the Village of Old Field for public park purposes. To all the women of our community who continue to shine and light our path, we pay our respects this month.” I learned about the three women who staffed the lighthouse and protected the lives of mariners, and we discussed what their lives may have been like. Foster for their courage, commitment and dedication to their work as lighthouse keepers.”Ĭouncilmember Jonathan Kornreich said, “I was able to celebrate the start of women’s history month by spending a beautiful and windy morning at the Old Field Lighthouse with two of our Town’s pre-eminent historians, Ed Romaine and Barbara Russell.
They were women with spirit and grit who helped sailors safely navigate their boats through the unpredictable waters of the Long Island Sound. Supervisor Romaine said, “Since March is Women’s History Month, it is due time to honor the three women who are part of the legacy of the Old Field Point Lighthouse. The end of her term concluded 39 consecutive years of having a woman serve as the Old Field Point Lighthouse Keeper. Smith’s wife, Elizabeth served as the lighthouse keeper for 26 years (1830-1856) and was followed by their daughter, Mary Smith Foster from 1856-1869. Shoemaker was replaced by Walter Smith who held the position from 1827 until his death in 1830. He was followed by his wife, who was lighthouse keeper for six months. Farmingville, NY – – In celebration of March as “Women’s History Month,” Supervisor Ed Romaine (right), Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (left) and Town Historian Barbara Russell (center) visited the Old Field Point Lighthouse to recognize the role that women played in the history of the iconic North Shore landmark.Ĭonstruction of the original lighthouse was completed in 1824 with the first lighthouse keeper, Edward Shoemaker, who served until his death in 1827.
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