This light,
commonly known as "Big Red", was not always as
such. The first structure here was a white wooden one
built in 1872.
Then in 1907 a keeper's dwelling and a much larger
skeletal tower were built.
But in 1936 that tower was removed and the light was
placed atop the keeper's dwelling and painted red to
appear as it does today.
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LOCATION:
Outer end of S pier, on Black Lake, SE side of Lake Michigan
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CURRENT
TOWER LIT: 1936
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CURRENT
USE: Active aid to navigation
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AUTOMATED:
1932
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FOUNDATION
MATERIALS: Pier
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LIGHTHOUSE
MATERIALS: Wood covered with steel plates
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TOWER SHAPE: Square
frame structure with 8-sided lantern room on roof of
keeper's dwelling
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COLOR(S)/MARKINGS/PATTERN: Originally
was white (Light List, 1893) and became its infamous red
in 1936
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ORIGINAL LENS: Sixth
Order, Fresnel 1907 --- this lens has been removed and
the light now has a 250mm plastic lens.
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NEAT CHARACTERISTICS: I found
conflicting information about the lens at this light:
1893 Light List --- Fifth Order, Fresnel / 1954 Light
List --- Fourth Order, Fresnel / USCG website --- Sixth
Order, Fresnel. The Sixth Order, Fresnel is the one I
listed above because it can be found on display at the
Netherlands Museum, located at the corner of 10th St.
& River Ave. in downtown Holland.
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