|
Eagle Harbor Blackened Out
It seems no one can leave anything alone these days. What was good for a hundred years is no longer any good today? Some of the windows of the lantern room of Michigan’s Eagle Harbor Lighthouse facing residences have always been blackened out. So, now, more than half of the light’s nine glass windows have been blackened out by being painted over. Many are complaining that by changing the light it has diminished it as a tourist attraction that gave a certain sense of charm to community. But the Coast Guard said it was done for safety reasons. First it was the foghorn that was discontinued and now the lighthouse is changed. When are we going to learn to save and protect the charm we once had at lighthouses? Change is not always good.
Windmill Point Keeper Photos Wanted
We are looking for photographs of the lighthouse keepers of Michigan’s original lost Windmill Pointe Lighthouse Station. The lighthouse was sometimes referred to as Grosse Pointe Lighthouse, not to be confused with the Grosse Point Lighthouse in Illinois. We are also looking for any type of recorded memories about the keepers or old newspaper stories about them. If anyone can help, please contact: Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 68, Wells, ME 04090 or email editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
Morris Island To Be Saved
South Carolina’s endangered 158-foot tall Morris Island Lighthouse will be saved now that an agreement has been worked out. The Army Corps of Engineers hopes to award a contract that will begin phase one of foundation work that will protect the lighthouse before the beginning of next year’s hurricane season. Save the Light, the group that has been working so hard for this lighthouse is to be commended for their diligence.
Happy Disappointment
Washington’s Cape Disappointment celebrated its 150th birthday with a party this past October with festivities, book signings, exhibits, tours and a stamp cancellation. The lighthouse was the first beacon built in the Pacific Northwest.
Yaquina PATON
Oregon’s Yaquina Head Light, owned by the Bureau of Land Management may soon no longer be a Coast Guard Aid to Navigation. Officials claim that deactivating the light as a federal aid is the only way that ownership of the Fresnel lens in the tower can be transferred to the BLM. Who are they kidding? However, it could become a PATON, which means that it would become a private aid to navigation if so desired by BLM. It is amazing how much paperwork and work in general government officials can create.
In Search Of Clinton River Lighthouse
We are looking for photographs of Michigan’s Clinton River Lighthouse that once stood at the mouth of the Clinton River on Lake St. Clair in Detroit. The lighthouse was destroyed by fire in 1908 and never rebuilt. If you can help us locate photos and information on the lighthouse, please write to us at Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 68, Wells, ME 04090 or email: Editor@LighthouseDigest.com
Bureaucracy Hinders Great Captain
Great Captain Island Lighthouse in Greenwich, CT needs an estimated $1.2 million in improvements before town officials will open the lighthouse to the public, something they have been promising to do for more years than anyone can remember. A private group called "Return the Light" has raised $250,000 to return the beacon to the tower, which won’t happen unless the town comes forward to save the lighthouse. The town has owned the lighthouse for years and amid years of talks, meetings, and discussion nothing has been done even though the town was aware that they would need to maintain the lighthouse when they revived ownership of it. This is typical of small town government bureaucracy when it comes to historic preservation.
Hatteras Pedestal To Be Removed
The pedestal that once supported the Fresnel lens at North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will be removed from the tower to be restored and put on display at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum with the original lens that was once in the tower. Hundreds of people contacted the National Park Service to help convince them this was the correct thing to do.
Last Issue’s Trivia Question
A number of American Lighthouses have been moved in the past. Some of these include, Block Island Southeast Light in Rhode Island, Cape Hatteras Light in North Carolina, and Highland Light in Massachusetts. What is the name and location of the United States Lighthouse scheduled to be moved in 2007? The correct answer is Sankaty Lighthouse in Siasconset, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. Congratulations to Donna Cohen of Pembroke, Massachusetts whose name was randomly chosen from among the correct answers submitted. A wonderful prize is now on its way to her from Lighthouse Depot.
Toledo Gets New Owner
Congratulations to the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society for being awarded ownership under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of the beautiful Toledo Harbor Lighthouse. Restoring the 4,000 square foot lighthouse seven miles off the shore of the western end of Lake Erie is estimated to cost $1 million. The group has already received a $10,000 grant from the Lake Erie Protective Fund to build an access dock and ramp.
Navesink Honored
New Jersey’s Navesink Lighthouse Station has been honored by receiving National Landmark status. The designation was officially declared at ceremonies held at the lighthouse this past October 28. In 1841, the Twin Lights of Navesink, located in Highlands, NJ, were the first lighthouses in America to receive Fresnel lenses, and in 1883 they became the first lighthouses to use kerosene as a fuel source. In 1898 they were the first lighthouses in America to be electrified. All of these historic firsts played heavily in having the light station being awarded the National Landmark designation.
Behind The Scenes Lighthouse Grab?
Scuttlebutt on the street is that the U. S. Fish & Wildlife is pressuring the Coast Guard for ownership of another of America’s historic lighthouses in what could soon be called "The Great Lighthouse Grab Up." This time it is Connecticut’s Faulkner’s Island Lighthouse that is now managed by the Faulkner’s Island Light Brigade, which raised $200,000 to restore the endangered lighthouse. The lighthouse is the state’s only active island lighthouse. In 1976 a fire destroyed the keeper’s house. Today the lighthouse is endangered by an eroding bluff and is only 30 feet away from the edge of the bluff. For years plans have been afoot to stop the erosion, which may soon take another step forward with a recent government request for proposals. But, in the long run will the lighthouse be saved?
This Issue’s Trivia Question
In August 1875 I was ordered to report as Lighthouse Inspector for the Second Naval District headquartered in New York and I served in that capacity until August of 1877 when I was appointed to the Light-House Board, which oversaw the operation of all of America’s Lighthouses. During the Spanish American War, my orders, "You may fire when you are ready Gridley," gave birth to a historical expression that will be remembered forever in the annals of American history. Later I became the highest-ranking person in U. S. Navy history. What is my name?
Send your answer to Editor@LighthouseDigest.com. We will randomly choose one name from the correct answers to receive a free gift from Lighthouse Depot. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address with your answer so we will know where to send your prize to if your name is drawn from the winning answers submitted.
Avery Point Lighthouse Beams Again
Look for the BIG STORY about the Relighting and Rededication of Connecticut’s Avery Point Lighthouse in the December issue of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. If you are not yet a subscriber you will miss that great story and many others. You can subscribe now and ask to have your subscription start with the December issue. This would also be a great time to order a gift subscription to Lighthouse Digest for the holidays. It’s only $28.00 per year by calling 1-800-668-7737 or by going to www.LighthouseDigest.com.
Lighthouse Digest Photo Contest
There is still plenty of time to enter the Lighthouse Digest annual lighthouse photo contest for your chance to win a number of wonderful prizes. For the full contest rules and list of prizes go to www.FogHornPublishing.com.
The Holiday Season Is Closer Than You Think
It always seems the Christmas holiday season sneaks up on us and in reality it’s not too far away. The Lighthouse Depot Catalog and Web Site are loaded with all kinds of great gift ideas from clothing to home décor and wonderful collectibles and gift items as well as everything you’ll need to decorate your home for the holidays.
For Dad, Brother or Boyfriend
It’s often been said that every man in America gets a tie for Christmas. Whether or not that statement is true or not, Lighthouse Depot has a wonderful Christmas tie that will be loved from everyone who receives it. Featuring the beautiful red and white-striped West Quoddy Lighthouse it is available as item #34793 for only $24.95.
What’s Your Favorite Cookie?
Imagine the delight in the eyes of a loved one when you bring them some holiday cookies in a Lighthouse Holiday Cookie Jar. We’ve got the cookie jar for you as item #28147. All you need to do is supply the cookies !!!!
Enjoying the Lights of the Season
Imagine a relaxing evening with the family while watching your favorite holiday movie with the lights turned down while from the corner of the room you see the twinkle of a fiber optic lighted lighthouse. Yes, that can come true with Lighthouse Depots fiber optic lighthouse #28426 or this year’s Harbour Lights Christmas replica of Rhode Island’s Conanicut Lighthouse #42721.
For the Women In Your Life
You’ll be the light of their life when you give them either the festive Velvet Applique Holiday Lighthouse Pullover #34927 or #34930 or the matching Cardigan #34784 or #34786. Just take a look at them and you’ll see what we saying!
The Charitable Season
This is the time of the year when the nonprofits depend most on your charitable giving. And that’s just as true for the lighthouse preservation efforts of the American Lighthouse Foundation, which is urgently asking for year-end donations in order to continue with their lighthouse preservation efforts. Donations can be on-line at www.LighthouseFoundation.org
Lighthouse Books for the Holidays for All Ages
Lighthouse Depot has a wide selection of books available on our web site and books not only will enhance everyone’s thirst for lighthouse knowledge, but we also have a large selection of children’s lighthouse books.
This year may we suggest the newly released book "Portland Head Light," by Timothy Harrison. This wonderful book about one of the most famous lighthouses in the world will make a great Christmas gift, coffee table book or family keepsake that will be referred to and looked at often for many years to come. It is available as item #31880.
Clearance Items
Don’t forget to visit the Lighthouse Depot Clearance Central for our ever-changing selection of items that have been discontinued. The items change often, so be sure to stop back often and browse the Clearance Central as well as the wide selection of other items available on the entire Lighthouse Depot web site.
From our home to yours, we wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
May your waistline remain the same! 
|
