This week the Split Rock Light House, located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, turns 100 years old. Even though I have posted about the light house on several occasions in the past I think that this famous landmark deserves as much recognition as possible. So I have compiled some of the pictures that I have taken over the past three years for a special birthday post.
The Split Rock Light House was
commissioned after the
Mataafa Storm which
occurred on November 28
th 1905. Winter storms on the big lake made boat travel treacherous, especially near the rocky cliffs of the North Shore, but the
Mataafa Storm was so bad that it finally brought about action. In the
Mataafa Storm, which is named for one of the ships that was destroyed, 29 ships were either damaged or destroyed and 36 men were killed.
In 1907 Congress approved $75,000 for the construction of a lighthouse and fog horn in the area. The lighthouse was built on an 130 foot cliff over looking Lake Superior southwest of Silver Bay. It was complete in 1910 and the kerosene lamp was lit for the first time on July 31st, 1910.
The lighthouse was run by the US Lighthouse service until 1939. In 1939 the US Lighthouse Service became a part of the US Coast Guard, which took over the care of the lighthouse. The following year the lighthouse
received electrical service and the kerosene lamp was replaced with a 1000 watt bulb. The lighthouse was retired in 1969
because it was no longer needed with
today's modern navigational equipment. The lighthouse was
acquired by the State of Minnesota in 1971 and was
transferred to the care of the Minnesota Historical Society in 1976. Because of the beautiful scenery that surround Split Rock it has become on of the most visited and photographed lighthouses in the United States.
This week the Split Rock Light House, located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, turns 100 years old. Even though I have posted about the light house on several occasions in the past I think that this famous landmark deserves as much recognition as possible. So I have compiled some of the pictures that I have taken over the past three years for a special birthday post.
The Split Rock Light House was commissioned after the Mataafa Storm which occurred on November 28th 1905. Winter storms on the big lake made boat travel treacherous, especially near the rocky cliffs of the North Shore, but the Mataafa Storm was so bad that it finally brought about action. In the Mataafa Storm, which is named for one of the ships that was destroyed, 29 ships were either damaged or destroyed and 36 men were killed.
In 1907 Congress approved $75,000 for the construction of a lighthouse and fog horn in the area. The lighthouse was built on an 130 foot cliff over looking Lake Superior southwest of Silver Bay. It was complete in 1910 and the kerosene lamp was lit for the first time on July 31st, 1910.
The lighthouse was run by the US Lighthouse service until 1939. In 1939 the US Lighthouse Service became a part of the US Coast Guard, which took over the care of the lighthouse. The following year the lighthouse received electrical service and the kerosene lamp was replaced with a 1000 watt bulb. The lighthouse was retired in 1969 because it was no longer needed with today's modern navigational equipment. The lighthouse was acquired by the State of Minnesota in 1971 and was transferred to the care of the Minnesota Historical Society in 1976. Because of the beautiful scenery that surround Split Rock it has become on of the most visited and photographed lighthouses in the United States.
13 comments:
Stunning photography of a most beautiful lighthouse. It was placed in a formidable location, wasn't it? Did someone actually live there, as keeper of the light, like they did on the islands off our coast? Splendid post! ~karen
Fantastic! As you know, I do love lighthouses and this one is so incredibly beautiful as is it's location! Your photos are superb as always! Thanks, too, for the history! Always interesting! Enjoy your week!
Sylvia
aloha,
this was a very nice tour of the area, i love visiting light houses like this one, very majestic, thanks for sharing it.
help me decide on a photo from my plant fanatic blog, if you don't mind?
What a sheer cliff and a big job the lighthouse has undertaken! It looks like a breathtakingly beautiful place to photograph. Happy Birthday to the lighthouse!
Wonderful photos, I'd love to see that place in person. The photo with the cliff and the mist is my favorite.
It's a handsome lighthouse with a great history. The rock cliff it's on is also magnificent.
It's a remarkable historic place! Really awesome captures!!
Pixellicious Photos
Beautiful place and photos
Interesting series
Enjoy your week,
Bram
Seen on My World Tuesday
Terrific lighthouse.
beautiful location for a lighthouse...very picturesque.
The lighthouse stands tall and is perfectly situated. It still looks superb for a 100 year old structure. Beautiful captures, especially the last one.
Oh my! These are wonderful shots and the lighthouse and its location aren't bad either. :-)
Sorry, I clicked to fast. I'm anonymous above. :-)
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