Cheboygan, MI Crib Light

I know what you're thinking, aren't crib lights usually out in the water a bit? You'd be correct, but this is a crib light that was given a second chance on life.



This light sat out in Lake Michigan off Cheboygan on a standard crib for many years, but eventually developed a distinct lean to one side as the foundation settled. In the 1980s the lean was so bad that it was decided to remove the light before it fell into the lake. Instead of letting the light be dismantled, the citizens of Cheboygan organized and were able to have the light carefully placed on a barge and brought straight into shore, where it was set on a new foundation and remodeled. The light is in great cosmetic shape, and adds a classic feel to the harbor area.

Thanks for sharing a great pic, Mike!...And a nice short story with a happy ending.

Bob

A lot of civic pride in this old light. Here it is on the local PD patch:

FANTASTIC pic Mike! The contrast between the blue of the sky and the white of the light is great.

Okay, I'll play dumb...not being from the lakes area, what is the definition of a 'crib', and hence a 'crib light'?

BTW, Mike, I second Jake's comment

A crib is essentially a man-made foundation, out in the water, upon which to erect the light. It would be somewhat related to the caisson you would be familiar with - build a form of some type, sink it, fill it with material to hold it in place, cap it off and park the new structure on top. (A very rough, non-scientific description of a 'crib', but I think you'll get the point.) This is an interesting web site about the Cheboygan Crib Light.

To pick on Mike a little, it appears the light still has a lean of sorts . . . . but still a great picture. This is a pretty little light, very easy to get to, with a pretty view.

Dave

I get groused out for my pics of Big Red in Holland all the time. It does lean! In the case of Mike's pic, if you look at the horizon, it's dead level to my eye which is a better frame of reference than the lighthouse. Based on the horizon, I'd say that puppy is leaning a few degrees off of plumb vertical!

Gary

Thanks to Gary for helping me out. I often have the problem of getting my horizons a degree or two off level, which I've really been working on. I didn't really notice the lean too much, but not that you mentioned it, it looks like it is a bit.

John, I love the patch, that's one I'm definitely going to have to get for my patch collection. Nothing is more "me" than a police patch with a lighthouse on it!!!! Add a pizza and a largemouth bass and it's my coat of arms !!!!

I also like the site Dave linked to, I love reading the little histories of these lights. And dave is very correct, this is a great little light to visit, especially with the Cutter Mackinac right across the river and several other lights close by.

Thanks to all, I'm glad you liked the picture. I think shortly I'll post one I took of the ruins of the old Cheboygan Lighthouse that sits a few miles east of this site.

Mike, when do we get to see the rendering of that coat of arms... A lighthouse, pizza, and largemouth bass... Hmmmmmmm!!!!

Gary

I'm sure glad he separated the three things - I shudder at the thought of a large mouth bass pizza. (and you thought anchovies were bad...)

Guess I'll have to work on that one.... I'll tinker in photoshop a bit and see what I can do. if I am able to come up with something, I'll unveil it to you all first.

That is a great picture... I love the colors of the sky.

That is a great picture... I love the colors of the sky.