Au Sable Light Station
a.k.a. Big Sable Light Station
W of Grand Marais, Grand Marais, MIThe Light Station at Au Sable built in 1873, began its operations on August 19, 1874. Originally the Light Station was called the Big Sable Light Station, then on June 10, 1910, it was changed to Au Sable Light Station. It was built on the south shore of Lake Superior to assist in the safety of shipping. This was an important site for vessels that followed the shore of Lake Superior. An increase in the volume of shipping on the southern shore of Lake Superior led to the building of the Au Sable Light Station. It was built to help meet the demand for safe navigation.
The discoveries of copper and iron ore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the 1840s made it economically feasible to build locks from Lake Superior to Lake Huron. In 1855, the Soo Canal opened at Sault Ste. Marie As the Upper Peninsula prospered, demand for another lock was created. The Weitzel Lock was built and opened in 1881. At the same time, the State of Michigan gave up its control of the locks to the United States government. Traffic through the locks increased dramatically because the locks were then tariff-free. Sault Ste. Marie had a total of four locks to serve the shipping interests. In 1915, the materials shipped on Lake Superior were shipped at one-tenth the cost of railroad shipping. Shipping increased tremendously every year and, at one time, twice the tonnage was being shipped from Lake Superior to Lake Huron than through the Suez Canal.
Lumber, coal, grain, copper, and iron ore were the principal goods shipped Up to 1915, Michigan was the major state in the production of copper, iron ore, and lumber. With the decline of the lumbering industry, lumbermen started leaving the Upper Peninsula around 1910. In 1948, more tonnage was being shipped through the locks from Lake Superior to Lake Huron than through the Suez and Panama canals combined. This is because Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada all were being served by the locks at Sault Ste. Marie. The majority of this shipping had to pass the Au Sable Light Station.
The Au Sable Light Station was built at the beginning of the shipping boom. The first big iron and steel freighters were built and used on Lake Superior in the 1880s and before that, schooners and steamboats were used extensively. The area between Munising and Grand Marais was known as the "Graveyard Coast" because of the number of vessels that were stranded or sank there. The ships followed the southern lakeshore of Lake Superior and the steamer track was two and a quarter miles off the Light Station.
The Au Sable Light Station was built under great hardship in a wilderness area. As recently as 1905, the lighthouse could be reached only by boat or by wagon road to within three miles of the station and then by foot trail. The area was surrounded by a cedar Swamp and no gardening was possible because of the sandy soil. It is remarkable that such substantial structures were built in a wilderness area and manned year-round. The Light Station's quality of construction is quite remarkable considering the area and the time it was built. The complex is an excellent example of 19th-century lighthouse architecture.
Local significance of the building:
The discoveries of copper and iron ore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the 1840s made it economically feasible to build locks from Lake Superior to Lake Huron. In 1855, the Soo Canal opened at Sault Ste. Marie As the Upper Peninsula prospered, demand for another lock was created. The Weitzel Lock was built and opened in 1881. At the same time, the State of Michigan gave up its control of the locks to the United States government. Traffic through the locks increased dramatically because the locks were then tariff-free. Sault Ste. Marie had a total of four locks to serve the shipping interests. In 1915, the materials shipped on Lake Superior were shipped at one-tenth the cost of railroad shipping. Shipping increased tremendously every year and, at one time, twice the tonnage was being shipped from Lake Superior to Lake Huron than through the Suez Canal.
Lumber, coal, grain, copper, and iron ore were the principal goods shipped Up to 1915, Michigan was the major state in the production of copper, iron ore, and lumber. With the decline of the lumbering industry, lumbermen started leaving the Upper Peninsula around 1910. In 1948, more tonnage was being shipped through the locks from Lake Superior to Lake Huron than through the Suez and Panama canals combined. This is because Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada all were being served by the locks at Sault Ste. Marie. The majority of this shipping had to pass the Au Sable Light Station.
The Au Sable Light Station was built at the beginning of the shipping boom. The first big iron and steel freighters were built and used on Lake Superior in the 1880s and before that, schooners and steamboats were used extensively. The area between Munising and Grand Marais was known as the "Graveyard Coast" because of the number of vessels that were stranded or sank there. The ships followed the southern lakeshore of Lake Superior and the steamer track was two and a quarter miles off the Light Station.
The Au Sable Light Station was built under great hardship in a wilderness area. As recently as 1905, the lighthouse could be reached only by boat or by wagon road to within three miles of the station and then by foot trail. The area was surrounded by a cedar Swamp and no gardening was possible because of the sandy soil. It is remarkable that such substantial structures were built in a wilderness area and manned year-round. The Light Station's quality of construction is quite remarkable considering the area and the time it was built. The complex is an excellent example of 19th-century lighthouse architecture.
Commerce; Engineering; Transportation; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to the only national park in the state, Isle Royale National Park. The park is a remote wilderness area consisting of a large island in Lake Superior and over 400 smaller islands, and is known for its scenic beauty, hiking trails, and diverse wildlife, including moose, wolves, and bald eagles.
About Alger County
Alger County Timeline
Alger County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ojibwa and the Potawatomi. The area began to attract European settlers in the mid-1800s due to its natural resources, such as timber and iron ore.
In 1873, Alger County was officially established, named after Russell A. Alger, who was a governor and senator of Michigan at that time. The county experienced rapid growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily due to the iron ore industry. Several mining communities were established, including Munising, which became the county seat.
The iron ore boom brought prosperity to Alger County, with mines and mills employing thousands of workers. However, this period of growth started to decline towards the mid-20th century. The closure of mines and the decline in the demand for iron ore led to economic challenges for the county.
In recent years, Alger County has turned to tourism and outdoor recreation as a major source of economic activity. The county is known for its stunning natural beauty, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. The local economy now relies heavily on tourism, as well as forestry and manufacturing. Alger County continues to preserve its rich history while embracing its scenic landscapes to attract visitors and create opportunities for its residents.
In 1873, Alger County was officially established, named after Russell A. Alger, who was a governor and senator of Michigan at that time. The county experienced rapid growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily due to the iron ore industry. Several mining communities were established, including Munising, which became the county seat.
The iron ore boom brought prosperity to Alger County, with mines and mills employing thousands of workers. However, this period of growth started to decline towards the mid-20th century. The closure of mines and the decline in the demand for iron ore led to economic challenges for the county.
In recent years, Alger County has turned to tourism and outdoor recreation as a major source of economic activity. The county is known for its stunning natural beauty, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. The local economy now relies heavily on tourism, as well as forestry and manufacturing. Alger County continues to preserve its rich history while embracing its scenic landscapes to attract visitors and create opportunities for its residents.
Alger County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Alger County, Michigan.
- 1820: Alger County is inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ojibwa and Potawatomi.
- 1843: The United States government establishes a trading post in Munising, the current county seat.
- 1846: Munising is officially founded.
- 1875: Alger County is organized and officially established by the Michigan Legislature.
- 1880: The first iron ore mine opens in the county, marking the beginning of a mining boom.
- 1920: Tourism becomes a significant industry in Alger County due to the natural beauty of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
- 1940s: The mining industry declines, causing economic challenges for the county.
- 1966: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is established, attracting even more tourists to Alger County.
- 1980s: The county experiences a revitalization in its economy with the growth of outdoor recreation and tourism.
- Present: Alger County continues to thrive as a tourist destination and outdoor recreation hub.