News of the week Sept. 23, 2022
High-tech Hillsboro Lighthouse (FL) back in working order after lightning strike
Lightning struck the Hillsboro Lighthouse, also known as “Big Diamond,” on Thursday night, knocking out power and exposing the perils of using the newest technology.
A temporary fix has the high-tech lighthouse, considered one of the brightest in the world, up and running again, shining its LED light into the Atlantic Ocean and Hillsboro Inlet. However, the lightning blew out two of three main breakers and a permanent fix will require replacement parts from the manufacturer in Australia.
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Hooper Island Lighthouse (MD) Remains Available for Auction
HOOPER ISLAND, Md. – The historic Hooper Island Lighthouse is still up for auction after the U.S. General Services Administration extended the online sale for another 24-hours.
The GSA announced the opening of the online auction on Aug. 8, after years of trying to sell the lighthouse to a responsible non-profit organization willing to man and upkeep the building.
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Lighthouse builder Dexter Stetson laid sturdy foundations
The three lighthouses north of Ocracoke on the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island and Currituck Beach, built between 1869 and 1875, have withstood hurricanes, nor’easters and the harsh coastal environment, although the Hatteras light was moved landward in 1999 to spare it from the encroaching Atlantic.
The trio all share design features that were introduced with the Hatteras light, which was first lit Dec. 16, 1870, and they all have in common construction supervisor Dexter Stetson, a Massachusetts native who brought his church construction expertise and innovations to the projects.
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Work at Port Austin Reef (MI) Lighthouse starts this week
The historical lighthouse will receive both interior and exterior work. In compliance with the State Historical Preservation standards, the exterior project will include removing the vinyl from old window frames, replacing door frames and fog signal, installing new railings that are more historically accurate, and installing a generator.
The interior work will not be funded by the grant awarded from MDOT, but will instead be backed by local funds and fundraisers. Restoration will include redoing drywall, ceiling, wiring, and flooring work done in the lighthouse tower.
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Bodie Island (NC) Lighthouse’s 150th anniversary will be celebrated at October 1 ceremony
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, in partnership with Outer Banks Forever and the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first lighting of the Bodie Island Lighthouse during a one-hour ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 1, 2022.
The anniversary ceremony at the historic Bodie Island Light Station will feature remarks from Cape Hatteras National Seashore, United States Coast Guard, Outer Banks Lighthouse Society and descendants of lighthouse keepers. Visitors will be able to experience temporary displays and exhibits within the Double Keepers Quarters and the base of the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
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Grassy Island (WI) Range Lights still shine after 150 years
GREEN BAY — Once a guiding light for ships coming into the Port of Green Bay, the Grassy Island Range Lights still stand — thanks to a little help from some friends — 150 years after they were built.
Lighthouse Keeper Wayne Dunbar, who has been with the Grassy Island Range Lights since 2001, was among many who first saved and then helped to restore the lighthouses to their former glory.
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Cape Canaveral Lighthouse (FL) Foundation to Celebrate 154 Years During Event at American Muscle Car Museum Nov. 5
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is 154 years old, and there will be a celebration during a special evening at the American Muscle Car Museum, a 123,000-square-foot complex that houses a collection of more than 300 cars.
This event is the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation’s most important fundraiser of the year, so help preserve the history of the lighthouse and Brevard County at the event from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.
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The Seul Choix Pointe Haunted Lighthouse In Michigan Both History Buffs And Ghost Hunters Will Love
There are plenty of purportedly haunted places in Michigan, but few structures hold the intrigue and spookiness of a lighthouse. After all, our Great Lakes are full of history – both eerie and enchanting – and lighthouses play a major role in this maritime lore. Whether you’re a standard history buff or more of a paranormal enthusiast, there’s one supposedly haunted lighthouse in Michigan that should be explored.
This underrated Upper Peninsula gem sits along the shores of Lake Michigan, still active as a navigational tool for boats to this day. When you stop by to visit, you’ll immediately be struck by the light’s splendor.
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Safety Concerns May Keep Uptown Little Red Lighthouse (NY) Doors Shut
UPPER MANHATTAN, NY — Children who make an annual short-legged pilgrimage to the Little Red Lighthouse might have to brace themselves for disappointment this fall as crumbling conditions at the iconic site threaten a rare chance to step inside, Patch has learned.
The Little Red Lighthouse Festival in Fort Washington Park is still slated for Oct. 8, but Parks department officials have yet to decide whether or not they can safely open the lighthouse doors, a spokesperson told Patch.
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Lakeside Park (WI) Lighthouse To Get Needed Repairs
The City of Fond du Lac’s Parks Department has announce that Mike Koenig Construction out of Sheboygan has been awarded the 2022 Lakeside Harbor Lighthouse Repair Project.
The project includes the removal and replacement of siding, replacing rotted studs, windows, concrete cap, and cleaning and tuck pointing stone, and related items.
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Wisconsin lighthouse, shipwreck added to Register of Historic Places
(WFRV) – A lighthouse in Kewaunee and a shipwreck near Marinette have both been added to the National and State Register of Historic Places, respectively.
The Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse and the Sidney O. Neff Shipwreck have been recognized by the Wisconsin Historical Society and were named to the Register of Historic Places on Thursday, September 15.
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Community restoring 117-year-old lighthouse in Smiths Cove, Canada
The Bear River lighthouse in Smiths Cove, N.S., will soon again be visible to people on the water or who are crossing the bridge into the Digby County community.
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The lighthouse was decommissioned in 2001 and — until recently — it was completely hidden by trees. But last year, the Municipality of Digby took ownership of the lighthouse and the Smith’s Cove Historical Society is in the process of restoring it.
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And lastly,
Congratulations goes out to Couper’s Paper Art for their winning submission to the #uslhsartchallange west coast division! A new division will be announced soon!
This is 27 layers of paper laid upon each other. Check out the video of it coming together here