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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Au Sable Light Station
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| NPS photo by Karen Gustin |
| Au Sable Light Station |
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Located in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, this light stands on Au Sable Point on the south shore of Lake Superior, approximately 12 miles west of Grand Marais, Michigan.
Built in 1873-1874, the light tower's base diameter is 16 feet with a height of 87 feet. The lens focal plane is 107 feet above lake level. A fog signal building was built in 1897.
The original two-story keepers dwelling was attached to the light tower in the back. In 1909, the building was added on to the front so it would accommodate two families. One lived upstairs, one down. The head keepers residence was built in 1909.
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Summer Lighthouse Tours
Au Sable Light Station tours are scheduled Wednesday through Sunday beginning June 3 through September 6, 2009. (No tours on Monday and Tuesday.) Tours begin at 11 a.m. and run through 5 p.m.
The 30-40 minute Park Ranger guided tours begin at the lighthouse east porch. Check with the volunteers at the Au Sable Maritime Museum for the next tour time. Tour fee is $3 for those 6 and older. Correct change is greatly appreciated.
We anticipate holding these tours in July and August 2010 also, though this will depend upon the status of road construction on Alger County Road H-58.
(pdf)
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Summer Transportation
The Lakeshore has partnered with the Munising-based public transportation company Altran for van transportation to the light station on six Saturdays in 2009 (June 13 and 27, July 11 and 25, August 8 and 22). Altran will transport people with mobility limitations on the hour for a $5 round trip fee.
The van will be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can meet the driver in the picnic area parking lot.
Once the van arrives at Au Sable, getting around the site is up to the individual. Visitors should be aware there are very sandy soils, narrow sidewalks, and only the boathouse is accessible on one floor. The other buildings require climbing steps.
The national lakeshore and Altran are considering continuing this service in future summers.
(pdf)
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Lakeshore Seeks Live-In Volunteers
The park is seeking applications from lighthouse enthusiasts to live at the light station and staff the new museum and contact station. A volunteer apartment is being completed on the second floor of the head keepers quarters and includes a kitchen, indoor bathroom, small living room, and one bedroom.
Please submit your volunteer application at . Thank you!
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Recent Progress at Au Sable
Several projects have been completed in the last few years at the 1874 Au Sable Light Station.
In 2004, a volunteer group from Wisconsin began clearing vegetation around the station as part of the landscape rehabilitation project. They built new access stairs from the beach and placed piles of brush in areas that have eroded in the past.
In 2005, Lakeshore maintenance staff repaired and painted the front porch of the double keepers quarters. The grey and white paint shines in the morning light!
Also in 2005, behind the scenes work was completed to the Au Sable photo-voltaic power generation grid to the control panels. Power is now available in both of the main buildings and a liquid propane gas system is on line.
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Lighthouse Furnishings Donations Sought
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is looking for a few good antiques ... lighthouse antiques to be exact. The Lakeshore is seeking donations of furniture and other period memorabilia this winter to refurnish the first floor of the assistant keepers residence at the Au Sable Light Station. The targeted period of refurnishing is 1910 or a few years prior to that. 1910 is the year the head keeper's quarters were constructed and the former keeper's quarters was divided into duplex apartments.
News release - Lakeshore Seeks Donations of Lighthouse Furnishings
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NOAA marine weather forecast
for the south shore of Lake Superior.
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Construction on Alger County Road
H-58 in 2009 and 2010
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Volunteer opportunities
at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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Please check the regulations
concerning where pets are allowed.
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Did You Know?
The Grand Sable Dunes are a federally designated Research Natural Area. The five square miles of dunes are an unusual glacial kame terrace with overlying dunes caused by fluctuating lake levels over the centuries. The dunes are located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, near Grand Marais, Mich.
more...
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Last Updated: May 18, 2009 at 16:06 EST |
