Interlochen Public Radio's Peter Payette reports that the state of Michigan and lighthouse preservation community have been wrangling for years over the terms for taking abandoned offshore lighthouses from the Coast Guard and preserving them.
Peter visits the DeTour Reef Light (between Drummond Island and the mainland at the mouth of the St. Mary's River) to explore the challenges surrounding the preservation of Michigan's most remote lighthouses.
Listen to Offshore Lights Need Owners from IPR News Radio and also:
- DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society - information about the light, its preservation and the very cool volunteer light keeper program that allows you to spend the weekend at the lighthouse.
- DeTour Reef Light from Terry Pepper's Seeing the Light - simply the best resource for Great Lakes Lighthouses.
- Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association - dedicated to preserving lighthouses on the Great Lakes
- Map of the DeTour Village / Drummond Island area from Google Maps - couldn't find the light but check out those boats!
- Also see Absolute Michigan keyword "lighthouse" for tons more links.
2 Comments
The DeTour Reef Light is magnificent. The weekend tours during the summer are a unique experience. Not only do you get to explore the Light from top to bottom, the included ride out to the Light gives you a chance to enjoy the St. Marys River and even, possibly, see a freighter up close. If you're in the Eastern UP and are looking for a couple hours of adventure, this is a DO NOT MISS.
The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society has done a signature standard job of restoring and putting into public use their Reef Light. A marvelous development for the/their historic structure and now sharing the wonderous exdperiences with the public is a most meaningful development. Win Win Win
Win for the Reef Light, Win for the folks who are experiencing being the New Generation of Keepers and the DRLPS folks who accomplished the impossible through pride, determiniation and unselfish intellect.
A wonderful salute to the DRLPS board and members!
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