The History of Whitefish Point

 

Whitefish Point has been known to explorers, missionaries, Native Americans and sailors for hundreds of years.  Because of the vast fishing opportunities provided by Lake Superior, the Chippewa tribal people used Whitefish Point as a meeting place.  This area was known as the land of Gitchee Gummee, which Henry Wadsworth Longfellow derived the song of “Hiawatha.”  The Whitefish Point area is full of natural splendor and marks the turning point for all shipping travel leaving and coming into Lake Superior.  Valuable copper and iron ore deposits were discovered in the region.  The economic opportunities brought commercial traffic to the region.  During the early 1800s there were no lighthouses, no charts, no harbors, no weather reports, nothing to provide assistance to mariners concerning the rugged conditions of the shorelines and storms. 

By 1846, the 80 miles coastline from Whitefish Point to Munising, Michigan earned the ill-omened label “The Shipwreck Coast of Lake Superior.”  There was an alarming amount of maritime disasters along this 80 mile stretch.  At the west end of the shipwreck coast hosts pictured rocks which are void of harbors or places where large vessels can find solace from the harsh northwest winds.  The deep, open waters of Lake Superior can become treacherous with a moment’s notice and has forced the mariners toward their doom in deadly waves along the jagged and deserted coastline.  The U.S. Lifesaving Service was established in 1876 to serve the Great Lakes surrounding Michigan. 

It was recognized by Congress that a lighthouse was necessary for Whitefish Point; however, Congress was bogged down by the haggling over the expense of this venture. Horace Greeley visited the Lake Superior area in 1847 and due to his notoriety as a renowned New York publisher, he brought attention to the danger and wrote a series of editorials criticizing the U.S. Congress for delaying construction to aid in navigation.  His efforts proved to be successful.   Congress appropriated $5000 for the construction of the first lighthouse which was constructed by Ebenezer Warner from Sandusky, Ohio. 

The first lighthouse was constructed in 1849, it was a simple stone tower which was proved to be unsuitable for the extreme wind and other stormy conditions.  James VanRenselaer was the first lighthouse keeper.  He served from October 1848 until May 1851. Was he hired before the lighthouse was constructed and did he assist with the construction the lighthouse? The first lanterns burned sperm whale oil and could be seen for 17 miles.

The waters of the Lake Superior flowed into Lake Huron and Lake Michigan via the St. Marys River which named after Pere Marquette during his exploration.  Father Marquette named the St. Marys Rapids “Le Sault de Sainte Marie” and this led to the birth of the cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario.  Before 1855, every shipping vessel entering or leaving Lake Superior had to be portaged and physically taken out of the water and dragged on land around the rapids at Sault Ste. Marie.  Under the guidance of Charles T. Harvey, the first lock of the St. Marys Falls Canal was opened, which created a new enhanced form of maritime trade for the Upper Great Lakes. 

In 1861, due to the transport of iron ore which was important to the defense of the Union, President Lincoln authorized funding for a new “iron-pile” lighthouse structure still being utilized today.  President Lincoln realized that War Between the States was unavoidable.   He was concerned with preserving the flow of resources for its defense.  Identical lighthouses were built at DeTour and Manitou Island.  The light keeper’s dwelling was constructed with an unusual covered bridge from the living quarters to the base of the spiral stairway inside the cylindrical tower.  Due to the heavy fog in the area, fog horns were installed. 

Between 1848 until 1883, there were ten different lightkeepers and their families served at Whitefish Point.  With the appointment of Charles Kimball, who served for 20 years and the high turnover rate was ceased.  Robert Carlson served from 1903 to 1931.  One of the main responsibilities of the keeper was to haul to the lamp at the lighthouse cans of fuel from the oil storage house.  This storage facility had to be one hundred feet from the lighthouse in case of fire. 

Today,the site of  Michigan’s most famous lighthouse hosts many interesting sites to visit.  The original barracks that housed the Carlson family is replicated and preserved for the multitude of tourists that visit the site.  A human figure sculpture of Robert Carlson can be seen sitting at an antique desk completing his duties.  At another building a presentation about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald can be viewed.  The main museum contains artifacts describing the history of Whitefish Point including information about various shipwrecks.  A preserved 17 foot tall Second Order Fresnel lens from White Shoal s is located in the center of this museum. In another building three are displays depicting the history of the U.S. Lifesaving Service.  Whitefish Point has been known and explored for centuries by many people.