The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society (DRLPS) is seeking old movies,
photographs and recollections of interesting events related to the DeTour
Reef Light and DeTour Point Light. Under a grant received from the
Michigan Coastal Management Program, the Society is producing a video
perspective of the DeTour Reef Light and the video document would be
greatly enhanced by the addition of historical information (films, photos,
videos, personal experiences, etc.) not currently in the Society’s
possession. The DRLPS is particularly seeking interior photographs and
films, not only for use in the video perspective, but to assist in the
interior renovation and furnishing of the Lighthouse. Individuals willing
to provide such materials to the Society are requested to contact Society
Director David Bardsley by email <bardsley@lighthouse.net>, mail (James
Island, Drummond Island, MI 49706) or phone (906-493-6609). Any materials
provided will be copied and returned to the owner.
Over the past several years, under the sponsorship of the Village of DeTour
and Drummond Island Township, DRLPS has been awarded several grants
totaling more than one million dollars from state and federal sources to
restore the DeTour Reef Light located in northern Lake Huron at the eastern
end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The exterior restoration work will begin
this spring with interior restoration to follow.
The Society seeks to restore and preserve the DeTour Reef Light as an
offshore lighthouse museum and to educate the public on the lighthouse and
Michigan’s maritime history.
Since 1847, a lighthouse has been located at DeTour Passage at the
northwestern head of Lake Huron at the mouth of St. Mary’s River, which
connects Lake Huron to Lake Superior. The first lighthouse, the DeTour
Point Light Station, was established on April 13, 1847, with the land being
acquired by presidential set aside. The buildings were constructed in the
same year. However, the light was not shown until 1848. Apparently by the
time the construction was completed it was too late in the year to fit the
light and employ the keeper. The original structure was described as a
white stone tower approximately 65 feet high with a five room, one and a
half story house. There are no known photographs or drawings of the
original structures. The iron tower that most people are familiar with at
the site was constructed in 1861.
Due to ever increasing ship traffic and the dangerous offshore reef, a new
lighthouse was built offshore called the DeTour Reef Light.
The DeTour Reef Light, located a mile offshore from the original onshore
lighthouse, was built in 1931. It is well known to ship captains and
pleasure boaters who sail the upper Great Lakes. The lighthouse stands as a
testament to the importance of shipping in the region’s political, economic
and social history.
The lighthouse foundation, resting in 23 feet of water, is a crib style
concrete 20-feet high 60-feet square base that supports the reinforced
concrete/steel Art Deco-style square building. The white structure with a
red roof has a tower extending 63 feet over the deck making the top of the
tower 83 feet above the water. Beginning in the 1870s, crib foundation
construction was used extensively for lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The
DeTour Reef Light is one of these examples. Wooden cribs were constructed
ashore, and then towed to the site and filled with stone. Once the crib had
settled to the bottom, it was capped with concrete or some other masonry.
Often, once the crib had settled, it was necessary to level the structure
by adding weight to one side or another. When construction on the building
was completed, the focal plane of the lens stood 74 above the water. The
light was first lit on November 7, 1931.
For generations the light at DeTour Passage has provided a beacon for those
vessels seeking the “Gateway to Superior.” The DeTour Reef Light
Preservation Society was established in 1998 as a nonprofit 501c3
organization. To learn more about the organization and the lighthouse,
visit <www.DRLPS.com>.