Both Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor lights have broken down and are non operational as a result, with the Eagle Harbor light being dark for several months. It would appear that rotating gear systems in the old DCB-224’s have worn out. Coast Guard Station Portage has been attempting to secure the estimated $20,000 each estimated repair cost, however demands on the Coast Guard for Homeland Security issues are understandably taking precedence over Aids to Navigation at this time.
UPPER ENTRY DWELLING BURNS TO THE GROUND
The Upper Entry Lighthouse and Coast Guard keepers quarters on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior was destroyed by fire on the morning of April 9, 2003. The triplex 3-unit dwelling was built in the late 1930s after the original 1874 lighthouse was removed to widen the ship canal north entrance. It had been sold to private interests in the 1980s and had been used in the past number of years as a rental unit. Two units were rented to students of Michigan Technological University while the third was the owner’s residence. No injuries or lives lost but the dwelling is a total loss. Another piece of history is gone. All that now remains of this lighthouse site is the 1930s combination garage/workshop/watch standing building.