SHORE VILLAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2001

July 22, 2001 - page 3

MICHIGAN HISTORICAL CENTER GIVING GRANTS: The Michigan Historical Center is awarding $115,000 assistance grants to eight lighthouse projects in Michigan. Lighthouses receiving grants are: Presque Isle ($15,000); St, Helena ($5,500); Grand Traverse ($14,500); Old Mackinac Point (20,000); Detour Reef ($20,000); Crisp Point ($10,000); Tawas Point ($20,000); and Point Betsie ($10,000). Nice to see activities like this.

LIGHTSHIP MODEL KIT: Tony Campbell passed the word that there is a new kit of a lightship which is from Russia. Campbell says that like most of the eastern bloc kits is "darn good.î The model represents the Trinity House South Goodwin Shoal. It is cast in 1.11o scale, 110 times smaller than the real thing. It is on sale for $21.46 plus $5.25. Anyone interested should contact Squadron Mail Order, 1115 Crowley Drive, Carrollton, TX 75011 or call 1-972-242-8663 Monday through Saturday.

WHITEHEAD LIGHTKEEPERS ANNUAL REPORT: The year 2000 was a busy one at Whitehead Light with considerable restoration of the keepers dwelling and other buildings of the complex. Restoration was commenced in 1997 and plans are to continue the rapid pace. The Lightstation Keepers report and excellent article entitled "From Whale Oil to Photovoltaics, Tide Powered Bells to Electric Fog Horns. Technology Marches on at Whitehead Light station." The address for a copy of the report is Pine Island Camp, P. O. Box 242, Brunswick ME 04011.

OSWEGO LIGHTHOUSE PLACED ON NATIONAL REGISTER: Inland Seas, Quarterly Journal of the Great Lakes Historical Society, reported that the lighthouse at Oswego has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Officials deemed it "an exceptionally intact example of 20th century lighthouse engineering." It was designed by the Office of the Superintendent of Lighthouses in Buffalo and built in 1934. The lighthouse was the scene of a tragic accident on December 4, 1942 when six Coast Guardsmen were drowned during a routine rotation of crews. The light was automated in 1962.

WANNA BUY A GREAT LAKES LIGHTHOUSE? Inland Seas Quarterly Journal had the following item: "Want to buy a lighthouse? They don't come on the real estate market very often and they don't come cheap. Situated on one acre of land, the Horse Island Lighthouse at Sackets Harbor, on Lake Ontario is being offered for a mere $395,000. The prospectus states: Rare chance to own historic retreat on private guarded island, including lighthouse & attached family home. Automatic light built nearby. World class salmon, trout, black bass, walleye, ducks, geese and wildlife." No address or contact point is given. The address of the Great Lakes Historical Society is: 480 Main Street, Vermilion. OH 44089.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *NEW BOOKS AND THINGS * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE LIGHTHOUSE ALMANAC: By Elinor DeWire: Elinor has entitled this most unusual book as "A Compendium of Science, History, & Fascinating Lore about our Favorite Seamarks." It is certainly just that Elinor also notes that "For Ken Black, a Keeper of the Lightî in the truest sense." I am really impressed and grateful for Elinor's thoughts. The almanac is just great and full of surprises. Good example is on page 53 where she tells the story of the April Fools Prank with the story of the plans for the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Light to move the lighthouse ashore so it could be accessible for restoration. Of course moving the light was just an April Fools Prank. It brought a number of officials to express concerns until they noted the April 1st (April Fool) comment. The artwork is well done throughout. Soft cover of 220 pages, Cost $16.95 plus $1.75 p & h.

COASTAL GHOSTS AND LIGHTHOUSE LORE: By William O. Thompson: Along the Atlantic Ocean, old homes, inns and lighthouses line the New England coast and give rise to many stories of ghostly apparitions. Old Salts suddenly appear in cemeteries. Victims of lost loves roam dark halls. These spirits trapped in time continue to haunt the town they once called home. Soft cover of 100 pages. Cost $9.95 plus $1.25 p & h.

LIGHTHOUSES OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Photography by Bob and Sandra Shanklin: An outstanding collection of photographs of the lighthouses of the Hawaiian Islands. The authors note that on February 3, 1999 they had now photographed EVERY lighthouse in the United States. This book is only 33 pages and the colors are just remarkable. Cost $10.95 plus $1.25 p. & h.

 

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