Hi everyone. I am writing something and I have encountered a slight problem: What was the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes? I think it might be Marblehead, but am I wrong?

thanks,

Stephen

I believe it was the Buffalo Light. Some folks argue that it was the lighthouse at Erie Pa.

http://bhw.buffnet.net/light/nf-1773-1832.htm

"The Lightkeeper"

[This message has been edited by TheLightkeeper (edited 07-31-2000).]

Marblehead is the oldest light on the Great Lakes in continous service, but not the oldest light.
I had always heard that this distinction was held by Erie Pa.
Joe

Gibraltar Point Light in Ontario, Canada (Lake Ontario) is the oldest, built in 1808. It is still standing too! a 15 foot addition was added to the top in 1932.

Erie Light and Buffalo Light (both Lake Erie) were built in 1818, making them both the earliest US government lights on the Great Lakes. Neither of the original towers still exist, though. Marblehead was built in 1821, as the 4th US light on the Great Lakes. (Galloo Island was the 3rd in 1820. Lake Ontario. Does not exist anymore) Marblehead is of course still standing, making it the oldest existing US light on the Great Lakes.

Technically though, the British placed a lantern on the roof of the French Castle at Fort Niagara in 1781, and kept it lit for numerous years (eventually Fort Niagara Lighthouse took over). On the Canadian side of the river, the British also built a small tower at Fort Mississauga (called the Newark Light), lasting from 1804-1814. I guess these two would really be the "first" lights, even though Newark Light was meant for river (not lake) navigation.
[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 08-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 08-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 08-01-2000).]

Even if I NEVER buy another Harbour Light Lighthouse ( not likely to happen ) I would still keep a watch on this site for the very reason on this forum's topic... "Need info" and all those in the know to provide it.
So from all us inlanders that just visit the coast from time to time...and didn't have clue to the answer.. Thanks!

AMERICA'S LIGHTHOUSES an Ilustrated History by Francis Ross Holland, Jr. published current by Dover books lists Buffalo as the first on the Great Lakes but it also lists Erie as "one of the first two" on the Great lakes??

any boudy know the oldest lighthoue on lake superior?is it whitfish point or split rock.

The first on Lake Superior were both Copper Harbor and Whitefish Point, built in 1849. Neither of the original lights still exist. Copper Harbor's original keepers quarters from 1849 does still exist, though.

The oldest existing light on Lake Superior is Rock Harbor, I believe. Built in 1855.
[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 08-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 08-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 08-01-2000).]

Rod didn't mention, but Split Rock is actually one of the newer lights. It was built around 1910 if my memory serves me right.

Dave

Jake, if you're talking strictly US lights my "Seaway Trail Lighthouses" book states on the page for the Erie Land Light, "The first structure, compleled in 1818, lays claim to being the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes."

Don't know what you're writing but I'd just copy Rod's report! It certainly is a good one!

Something else quite interesting to do is to make a timelime of lights. Quite a project but could be done by region, state, etc. Gets a bit tricky when some have had 2, 3 or more lights at a station.

Dave,

According to the 2000 Harbour Lights Calendar, you are correct. Split Rock was first lit in 1910 on this very day of the year: August 1st.

Happy Anniversary Split Rock!

-Todd

Many thanks to everyone who posted on this topic . All the wonderful information and history that this site has provided was great. I continue to be fasinated by the wealth of knowlege and information so many of you have shared through the forums. Roy and I have visited several lighthouses (not nearly enough) but our knowledge on many is limited. Thanks again for this topic. We look forward to any in the future.

Carolyn

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Roy & Carolyn