The Grand Lighthouses

by Lydia Holly

Title

The Grand Lighthouses

Artist

Lydia Holly

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

I had a lovely time at Grand Haven, Michigan although it was only for one day and evening. There is a lovely beach that hugs Lake Michigan and much activity surrounded the lighthouse, and volley ball nets.I had hoped for a beautiful sunset, but there was too much overcast to warrant such a photograph.

Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Light is the inner light of two lighthouses on the south pier of Grand Haven, Michigan where the Grand River enters Lake Michigan. A lighthouse was first lit there in 1839.[3] The lighthouse was put up for sale in 2009 under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.[4] The City of Grand Haven now owns the pier, but it is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers.[5] A second lighthouse was built in 1855 which was located on a high bluff east of the Grand River. A fog-signal building was added to the end of the south pier in 1875. The pier was extended in 1905 and the fog-signal building was moved to the end of the pier. The 1839 South Pier lighthouse was moved from the shore to its current position on the south pier and rebuilt in 1905. A catwalk was added to connect the pierhead light to the inner light and then to the mainland.

The Grand Haven South Pier Lighthouse is an operating lighthouse at the end of the pier, an extension of the Grand Haven boardwalk. The pier is open to the public year round, but weather conditions can make the pier unsafe for pedestrians during winter months, storm conditions and high winds. The lighthouse is not open inside because it is an operating lighthouse, but the public can walk up and around the lighthouse. The city of Grand Haven boasts
that it is " one of Michigan's featured Beachtowns and a renaissance city that has become a beacon for those looking for simplicity in a scene of natural beauty. From its roots as a highly commercial port-of-call for ferries and passenger liners, Grand Haven has evolved to become a place of serene, family enjoyment, hosting lively outdoor recreation, a thriving downtown, history, culture and festivals on the shores of Lake Michigan and the Grand River. World's largest musical fountain, boardwalk, beautiful beaches, lighthouses, historic downtown, and more."

Uploaded

October 30th, 2014

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags