Presque Isle Light

For the lighthouses in Michigan, see Old Presque Isle Light and New Presque Isle Light.
Presque Isle Light
Location Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates 42°9′56.8″N 80°6′55.5″W / 42.165778°N 80.115417°W / 42.165778; -80.115417Coordinates: 42°9′56.8″N 80°6′55.5″W / 42.165778°N 80.115417°W / 42.165778; -80.115417
Year first constructed 1872
Year first lit 1873
Automated 1962
Tower shape Square
Markings / pattern White
Height 68 ft (21 m)
Focal height 73 ft (22 m)
Original lens 4th order Fresnel
Range 16 nmi (18 mi; 30 km)
Characteristic Iso W 6s
ARLHS number USA-666
USCG number 7-3690
Designated August 4, 1983
Part of United States Coast Guard Lighthouses and Light Stations on the Great Lakes Thematic Resource
Reference no. 83002242[1]

The Presque Isle Light is one of three lighthouses on Lake Erie in U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The lighthouse is located on the northern shore of Presque Isle State Park, near Erie. It was built in 1872 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

History

Its construction began in 1872, and the light was first lit on July 12, 1873. It was originally 40 feet (12 m) tall before the tower was raised to its current height in 1896. Its original light characteristic, two red flashes followed by four white flashes, was changed to an alternating red and white flash when it was electrified in the 1920s. The Presque Isle Light was commonly known as the "flashlight" to locals.[2] In 1962, the station was fully automated and the characteristic was changed to a 3 second-on, 3 second-off white light.

The Presque Isle Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 4, 1983 as part of a group listing of lighthouses and light stations operated by the United States Coast Guard on the Great Lakes. The light station is open to public tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day on weekend, weather permitting (see presqueislelighthouse.org).[1][3][4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  2. "Presque Isle Lighthouse". Sea the Lights. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  3. Board of Directors Presque Isle Light Station
  4. Hyde 1979, § 7, p. 2.

Sources

Further reading

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