By Kathleen Knowles
The Fort Gratiot Light has the distinction of being the first lighthouse in the state of Michigan. It is located at the entrance into St. Clair River from Lake Huron.
After the Erie Canal was completed in 1825, the Great Lakes saw a substantial increase in traffic. It made it possible for traffic to move between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. No longer did ships have to go around rapids or waterfalls. They began sailing the Great Lakes with cargo containing coal, copper, lumber, grain and goods being transported, as well as stone and timber being brought in from Wisconsin. St. Clair River had become quite congested. It became clear something had to be done to guide the ships through St. Clair River. The decision was made to construct a Light Tower. It was to be built near Fort Gratiot from which it got its name.
Captain Winslow Lewis of Massachusetts, who was the inventor of the Lewis lamp, bid for and was awarded the contract to build the Light Tower as well as a keeper’s dwelling. However, Lewis chose to sub-contract the project over to Daniel Warren of Rochester, of New York.
Warren quickly fell behind on the project, running low on money. Congress stepped in and approved an additional $1500.00. The project was completed in 1825. The cost was $5750. On August 8, 1825, the Fort Gratiot Light Tower became the first Light Station in the State of Michigan.
Originally 32 feet tall, it had a diameter of 18 feet at the base. The lantern room was furnished with 10 Lewis Lamps which had 14-inch reflectors.
In 1825, a former Detroit Lawyer, George McDougall became the first official keeper. Before Mr. McDougall was chosen, temporary keepers had been in charge of the Light Station.
McDougall, who was a big man, reportedly over 300 pounds, complained the stairs were so steep he had to climb them sideways, and the trap door into the lantern room was too small. The realization that the Light Tower was poorly designed and constructed was indicated in his report. In 1828, he reported the tower was cracking, and due to the manner in which it had settled, it was leaning to the east. The Light Tower was damaged in a storm in 1828 and fell to the ground in November of that year. Fortunately Congress did not wait. It appropriated $8000, and in 1829 Lucius Lyons, Deputy Surveyor General of the Northwest Territory won the bid to build the new improved tower. It was completed in December of the same year.
The new tower was built 65 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter. There were 94 steps to the lower gallery. A landing was placed every 26 steps with a window looking out over the Light Station property. Again, it was outfitted with Lewis lamps that were powered by whale oil. Later the French Fresnel lenses which were being used around the world would replace the Lewis lamps in 1857. The new Fresnel lens were four times in intensity in that of the Lewis lamps.
In 1864, the tower was raised and built to its current 82 feet. In order to support the extra weight, it was decided to add an inner brick wall.
The Great Freshwater Hurricane in 1913 brought about severe damage that nearly washed the tower from its foundation. Waves of 30 to forty feet pounded the Light Station, and to this day it is considered the greatest maritime disaster on the Great Lakes, when more than 250 lives were lost, 19 ships destroyed and damages totaled a staggering five million dollars.
In 1829, the keeper’s dwelling was built directly west of the tower. It had two rooms downstairs with a fireplace. It contained a “porch” equipped with a chimney, sink and oven.
As everything does over time, the dwelling was in need of repair. The exterior brick was whitewashed. It was determined a new dining room floor would have to be installed as well as painting the interior and exterior. The work was done in 1868. A few years later in 1874, a new keeper’s dwelling was built and ready to be occupied in the fall of 1875.
Photos by Kathleen Knowles
The new dwelling was a duplex with the central part being two stories. Each contained a living room, kitchen and parlor. On the west side, a woodshed was attached, but was later turn into a kitchen allowing the original kitchen to be converted into a dining room.
Today, the porch on the west side now has concrete steps with wrought iron railings. The south-side porch as also been rebuilt. The duplex is now used for the “Overnight at the Light,” which allows groups to spend the night and participate in a tour of the site and other activities. The goal of the restorations is to convert the duplex back the way it looked in the 1930’s. In 1932, a single dwelling keeper’s house was constructed just south of the duplex, where the last keeper, John Smith lived. The other two assistant keepers lived in the duplex.
Photos by Kathleen Knowles
Also in 1932, the Coast Guard Crew’s quarters were built. It housed 10 to 12 men at the time who were stationed there.
A new Fog Signal house was built on site in 1900. It would replace the two that were located near the shore. The decision was made because of concern they were in danger of being washed away. The boilers in the Fog Signal house were new, but re-fitted engines were installed in the new building.
Photos by Kathleen Knowles
As one enters the Light station grounds, you will see the Coast Guard Equipment Building, which was built in 1938. It was constructed for the use of storing boat trailers and vehicles. It was also used for vehicle maintenance.
Fort Gratiot was built in 1814, designed by Captain Charles Gratiot. Located at what is now Thomas Edison Parkway, it was built at the juncture of Saint Clair River and Lake Huron. It, of course, got its name from the man who designed it. The fort was charged with defending the river and the lake in the War of 1812.
The Fort Gratiot Post Hospital
Photos courtesy of the Port Huron Museum
The Fort was occupied by soldiers, until 1822 at which time it was abandoned. The Army returned in 1828 and rebuilt the fort, although on a smaller scale than the original. The need to secure the Great Lakes and Upper areas against Indian attacks made the move essential. As settlers moved west, Native Americans were being force from their land, resulting in attacks upon the settlers. Timber-framed structures were built which included the officers’ quarters and the hospital building. These were moved several times within the fort before finally being placed in the western corner.
Pictures taken by Kathleen Knowles at the Military Museum
The fort served as a training facility for soldiers who went on to fight in the Civil War. Abandoned again in 1879, the hospital was divided into two separate residences. They were moved to what is now St Clair Street. During the 1970s through the 1980s, research and digs were done on the Fort Gratiot site. It was determined that the two homes were not only authentic, but also at one time a single structure. In the early 2000s, the Port Huron museums acquired both homes and move them to Lighthouse Park which was owned by the city of Port Huron. They were placed side by side in a stockade fence lot. In 2012, the restoration of the hospital began. The work is ongoing today as the funds become available.
The Hospital Museum is a tribute to the military and medical personnel that served at Fort Gratiot between 1814 and 1879. It includes troops deployed from here during the Civil War. It is a humbling reminder of those who served and lost their lives in the name of freedom.
The Lighthouse Station and all of the structures on the grounds are a flashback to the history and culture of the city of Port Huron. All those born and raised in the area can honor those that served and lived at Fort Gratiot by visiting these wonderful museums. They will forever remain a part of all of us.
If you would enjoy volunteering at the Fort Gratiot Light Station, the Carnegie Center, the Thomas Edison Depot or the Huron Lightship, call 810-982-0891, ext. 118 for more information.
Thank you to Margaret Aiken, Lauren Nelson, Marcia Haynes, Lynne Secory, Jill Secory Moore and Joe Ann Burgett who all contributed to this article.
Kathleen Knowles
Contributing Writer
