The Split Rock Lighthouse, perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in Minnesota, is celebrating its 100
th birthday this year. Located on a cliff 130 feet above the north shore of Lake Superior this lighthouse protected ships from crashing on the rocky shore until 1969 when it was
decommissioned.
In the early 1900s ships carrying iron ore from the iron ranges of Minnesota would sail down the Great Lakes to the east coast of the United States. Storms and the rocky coast line of Lake Superior often made it a perilous journey. After a single storm in 1905 damaged 29 ships
representatives from the shipping and iron industries lobbied congress for funds to build a lighthouse on the shore of what some people
referred to "the most dangerous piece of water in the world."
In 1907 Congress appropriated $75,000 to purchase the land and build the lighthouse and its compound.
Construction on the lighthouse began in 1909. Most of the supplies and labor came from the port city of Duluth, MN. Supplies and building materials were delivered by boat and then had to be hoisted 110 feet up the cliff by a steam powered hoist and derrick. It took about 13 months to complete and began
operations on July 31st, 1910. The lighthouse has been restored back to its 1920s appearance and is now managed by the Minnesota Historical Society.
The Split Rock Lighthouse, perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in Minnesota, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Located on a cliff 130 feet above the north shore of Lake Superior this lighthouse protected ships from crashing on the rocky shore until 1969 when it was decommissioned.
In the early 1900s ships carrying iron ore from the iron ranges of Minnesota would sail down the Great Lakes to the east coast of the United States. Storms and the rocky coast line of Lake Superior often made it a perilous journey. After a single storm in 1905 damaged 29 ships representatives from the shipping and iron industries lobbied congress for funds to build a lighthouse on the shore of what some people referred to "the most dangerous piece of water in the world."
In 1907 Congress appropriated $75,000 to purchase the land and build the lighthouse and its compound. Construction on the lighthouse began in 1909. Most of the supplies and labor came from the port city of Duluth, MN. Supplies and building materials were delivered by boat and then had to be hoisted 110 feet up the cliff by a steam powered hoist and derrick. It took about 13 months to complete and began operations on July 31st, 1910. The lighthouse has been restored back to its 1920s appearance and is now managed by the Minnesota Historical Society.
5 comments:
Very interesting!! Who doesn't have a soft spot for lighthouses and their history? It is a beauty, too. I'm so glad it was restored and preserved. ~karen
I do love lighthouses and this one has such an interesting history! I'm so glad it's been restored. Would love to visit there. Always enjoy your posts! Have a great week!
Sylvia
Great shot of very special lighthouse with an interesting history.
What a great sight to see the lighthouse perched up on those cliffs.
That is a beautiful lighthouse.
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