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Great Lakes Lighthouses

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Lighthouses are not only found on the ocean.

Lighthouses are also located on the Great Lakes, on the northeastern border between the United States and Canada. These lakes, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario, by total surface, form the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth. They hold over 20% of the world's surface fresh water. They are separate from each other, yet interconnected, flowing eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. Their immense size necessitates the use of lighthouses. Lake Michigan, which is the only lake contained entirely within the United States borders, also boasts the largest number of lighthouses with 87, followed by Lake Huron with 76, Lake Superior with 72, Lake Erie with 50, and Lake Ontario with 41. The photo is of Split Rock Lighthouse.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/puliarfanita/4094837136/

Did you know this?

Facts about Great Lakes Lighthouses.

The first Great Lakes Lighthouses were the Erie Land Light in Erie, PA, and the Buffalo Light in Buffalo, NY, both established in 1818. Both sites still contain active lighthouses, although the original towers have long since eroded and vanished.

Marblehead Lighthouse is the oldest Great Lakes lighthouse in continuous operation, since 1822.

The Great Lakes names were derived from other words:Lake Erie was taken from the Iroquoian word Erielhonan, meaning "long tail." French explorers named Lake Huron for the Wyandot inhabitants in the area. Lake Michigan's name is believe to come from the Ojibwa word mishigami, meaning "great water." Lake Ontario was named by the Wyandot, meaning "Lake of Shining Waters." Lake Superior was an English translation of a French term "lac superieur" (upper lake), which refers to its position above Lake Huron. The Ojibwa called it "Gitchigumi."

Great Lakes Lighthouses Items

Click on image for description or to buy.

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Great Lakes Information

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Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior


Split Rock...
Joseph Sohm
9 in. x 12 in.
Buy This at Allposters.com

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald

It's been said, Lake Superior never gives up her dead.

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, an American Great Lakes freighter used to carry taconite from mines near Duluth, Minnesoto to ironworks in Detroit, Toledo and other ports, is one of the most well-known disasters in the history of the Great Lakes. During a massive winter storm on the afternoon of November 9, 1975, the ship sank in Lake Superior. The bodies of the crew of 29 were never found. Recently, the Edmund Fitzgerald made news again, when her bell (considered the "soul" of the ship) was brought up. With this find, many of the families of the seamen now feel their loved ones are at peace. The bell is now on display at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum located at Whitefish Point on Lake Superior.

Gordon Lightfoot recorded a song about The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and I have included the video below. A little lengthy, but a beautiful tribute to the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Ships_Bell_2.JPG

Gordon Lightfoot sings "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

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Great Lakes Lighthouses

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Pictorial tours of Great Lakes Lighthouses

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SquidAngel blessings on Great Lakes Lighthouses

Thank you so much!

Michigan City Lighthouse at Sunset


Michigan City...
Richard Cummins
12 in. x 9 in.
Buy This at Allposters.com

Links for Great Lakes Lighthouse Information

National Park Service
Great Lakes Lighthouses accessibility.
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
A museum dedicated to the stories and artifacts of the shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.
Lake Superior Marine Museum
History and artifacts of Lake Superior.

More information on a Great Lake ~ Lake Superior....

....from another Squidoo writer, Grannysage.

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Thanks for visiting, let me know you stopped by.

  • Tipi Mar 28, 2012 @ 8:50 pm | delete
    I have to say that this gorgeous!
    And, thank you for serving in the armed forces.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Oct 27, 2011 @ 6:10 pm | delete
    I love these Great Lakes lighthouses. When I lived in Michigan, I spent many a happy day visiting as many of these historic lights as possible. Still hope to visit all of them. Enjoyed this lens.
  • Protasker Oct 6, 2011 @ 9:32 pm | delete
    Being from Michigan, this was a trip down memory lane from my childhood, thank you! I love lighthouses, since I was a kid on vacation. They are beautiful and give me a sense of safe and calm. Great lens!
  • franstan Aug 12, 2011 @ 3:35 am | delete
    Blessed by a visiting Squid Angel
  • tonigrundstrom Aug 6, 2011 @ 9:36 am | delete
    Being from Duluth originally I love to see all of the information about these lighthouses. They re important yet have a beauty all their own. Great lens. I am 'georgelarson' from eHow and glad to be here now.
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nancycarol

Hi, I'm Nancy Hardin, retired from the newspaper industry and now a freelance writer. I love reading true crime stories and the technology that helps... more »

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For lighthouse home decor 

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Amazon Spotlight Personal Review 

Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Lighthouses: True Stories of Courage & Bravery

Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Lighthouses: True Stories of Courage & Bravery

by: Wes Oleszewski

Amazon Price: $23.51 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

These stories are about the brave men who sailed the Great Lakes, day in and day out, doing their job, and sometimes going down with their ship. It's a good read for those who are fascinated by the history of lighthouses.

For a Lighthouse Themed Kitchen 

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