Thursday, July 16, 2015

Company and Split Rock Lighthouse

Company and Split Rock Lighthouse


Been saving a trip to see the lighthouse for when Gary got here.  

View from scenic overlook






A strong 1905 November gale which damaged 29 ships, prompted  construction of the lighthouse, it was completed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1910 at a cost of $75,000.  It's picturesque setting has made it the most visited lighthouse in the United States.  In 1924 Highway 61 was built and tourists started to flock to the Lighthouse.






 The lighthouse was closed in 1969, when modern navigational equipment made it obsolete.

View of the 3 keeps houses
 The Lighthouse was isolated by the lake with no land access, supplies and visitors could come only by boat and lifted up by a rope and bucket.  In 1916  an elevated tramway was built to replace original hoisting engine and derrick

 

The Keepers houses have been restored to the 1920's


The building on the left housed the fog horn

The Lighthouse is in Minnesota so you knew there had to be stairs - 174 of them.  

 But you got to do it if you want a photograph of the Lighthouse atop the 130' cliff, or I suppose we could have taken the tour boat.
 








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