Thunder Bay Island Light

Standing on a reef of limestone, off the shore of Alpena, Michigan is the second oldest lighthouse in Lake Huron, Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse. The treacherous reef has earned the label “Shipwreck Alley.” This island has been draped in stories of human tragedy and heroism.

*“The Monohansett” had taken shelter behind Thunder Bay Island and*
*sadly sank on November 23, 1907 after their cargo of coal had caught fire.*
*Every crew member had made it to shore safely.*
*Photo Credit: Chuck Hayden*

All of these tales are mirrored in the faces of dedicated volunteers. Since 1996 this group, The Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society, has been diligently assembling artifacts and restoring the structures.

*Rick had been glazing the fragile window panes. (top left)*
*Sue and Dave had explained the process of receiving grants.*

Recently in 2021, The Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society had been recognized with the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation! Join Chuck and I as we meet some of these incredible volunteers and peek into the centuries of history on Thunder Bay Island.

Docking Sea Raven

Due to the shallow shoal, we had needed to dock Sea Raven a distance off shore where it had been deep enough for the hull. Chuck and I waded to the island with our gear stuffed in ‘dry bags.’ I had wondered how the volunteers had hauled all their materials onto the island.

The Boathouse

“There used to be a boathouse right there.” Chuck had gestured. “I was hoping to see it, but I guess the weather and the ice have gotten to it.” He bobbed his flat hand, “You can see the foundation just below the waterline.”

*Later, we’d learned that the wooden planks have been stacked on shore by volunteers.*
*These pieces of history are currently being protected by a tarp.*

Our Hike To the Lighthouse

As we entered the wooded trail toward the lighthouse, dappled light had scattered along the mossy ground. “It’s a fairy forest!” I had chimed. Chuck, ever tolerant of my childish insights, had nodded in agreement.

*A tractor rumbled from the distance, nearing us. Dressed in rubber fishing waders, Dave, a volunteer, had stopped to greet us warmly, then carried onward as he’d had shoreline tasks to complete.*

The Thunder Bay Island Light House

After a half-mile hike, the fairy forest had opened into a green expanse of mowed lawn stretching before us. In the center stood a tan brick structure punctuated by a white tower. Several volunteer workers had been taking a break at the picnic tables behind the building.

*The volunteers have worked tirelessly to breathe life into these historical structures.*

Shipping

With shipping as the primary source of transportation into the Northwest Territory, mariners had needed to be warned of the hazardous reefs. So, in the summer of 1831, before Michigan had earned statehood, twelve men had been assigned to build a light tower on the island.

They’d made quite a bit of progress when back to back storms in the fall of 1831 had crashed waves over the shoreline destroying their massive endeavor. Finally, by the fall of the following year, the crew had constructed a 21 foot diameter base and a forty foot tall lighthouse.

The First European Settlement In The Area

*This 1845 Map of the Michigan Territory demonstrates how shipping had been a vital tool for survival.*
*Photo Credit: Amazon*

Thunder Bay Island had provided a safe place to rest along this shipping route. With the mainland being inhabited by the Anishinaabe, the immigrants had felt more secure on the island. Individuals had started staying on the island longer and longer.

By 1845 one hundred sixty people had created the first European settlement in the area. There had even been a school and a black smith shop. With thirty-one fishing boats, the settlers had been able to salt-pack and distribute twelve thousand barrels of fish each year. With the profits and population increasing, by 1846 the first store had been opened on the island.

In 1857 the tower had been raised ten feet, so it stood proudly at 50 feet high. Stay tuned for Chuck’s climb. It’s a beautiful view!

Thunder Bay Island Life Saving Station

In 1848 New Jersey Governor William A. Newell had proposed that Life Saving Stations should be place along American shorelines. These men would be tasked with keeping lookout and saving the lives of distressed sailors.

*Life Saving Stations had been a precursor to The United States Coast Guard.*

Decades later as western expansion had taken hold, The Thunder Bay Island Life Saving Station had been established in 1876.

In 1939 The United States Coast Guard had been developed, which had replaced the name of Life Saving Stations’ surfmen with “Coast Guardsmen” or “Coasties.”

The Tramway

Off to the side of the lighthouse stood a smaller, red brick oil house where kerosene had been stored. A wooden cart on a rail had represented the ingenuity which had been developed for hauling supplies.

*This rail cart had greatly assisted the life saving crews and lighthouse keepers*
*in hauling supplies a half-mile from their boats to the lighthouse.*

In 1884 this tramway and cart had originally connected the south dock to the fog signal building stretching 1,220 feet. Just five years later a storm had damaged this system. So for two years, all their needed supplies: kerosene, coal and food had to be hauled by wheelbarrows, handcarts and even buckets. Then, by 1891 the track had been repaired and even extended to reach all the way to the keeper’s quarters.

Thunder Bay Island Light Through The Decades

An inspection in 1837 had stated, “This light is very well situated, and of great service to the navigator, in showing not only his situation, but also a place of shelter in bad weather.”

*“The 1832 lighthouse, though modified, remains standing to this day*
*as the second oldest lighthouse on Lake Huron.” Lighthouse Friends website*
*Photo Credits: U.S. Coast Guard*

Since 1996 The Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society has held the mission to restore the structures and educate the public. The lighthouse had been formally transferred to the ownership of Alpena Township in 2014. The island currently has limited access due to the lack of facilities and the protected wildlife refuge. But there’s hope for rebuilding the dock and giving tours in the future!

Later, Chuck had stated, “They (The Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society) are neck deep in a Herculean task. It’s like trying to navigate a storm with a leaky boat. Every step forward brings a new challenge and every challenge makes you wonder how they keep going.” Yet, Sue, Dave and their group of volunteers have been doing it and have earned the Governor’s award for historic preservation! Incredible!

Keeper’s Quarters and Life Saving Station Tour

After climbing the stairway, the refurbished rooms rang with Sue’s energy! The place came to life with her presence. You know the feeling when you meet people who just bubble with encouragement? How their motivation is contagious? Well, Sue and Dave, along with the TBIPS team, hold a passion and dedication that have inspired us!

When Chuck had asked, “How’d you get involved in the preservation society?” Sue had grinned, “Well, they needed a secretary.” She shrugged. “I told them, ‘I do not want to go to an island. I’m allergic to poison ivy, but I’m going to humor you and go.” Sue had stated and inhaled a deep breath. An aura of awe surrounded her, “And it was a life changing experience.” Her eyes had widened. “We came to open the island and that was a hook. I mean it was just . . . I just felt their spirit.”

John and Cecil Persons

When we met Sue at the picnic tables, Chuck had remarked how I’d liked ‘the fairy forest.’ Sue’s eyes had smiled with a sparkle, “Three colors of Forget-Me-Nots grow a foot high and cover the whole path.” Sue’s hands danced in front of her. “An incredible woman, the wife of the Life Saving Service, Captain John Persons. Celia Persons grew extraordinary flowers out here. She was the first female boat captain on the Great Lakes.”

Once we were upstairs, Sue walked us over to the encased display. “This is my heroine, Celia Persons.”

*Celia Persons had been “the first lady on the lakes who has been*
*commissioned to command a steamer or vessel.”*

“She would pilot her own boat. They called it, ‘the flower yacht.'(The Florence C.) She would take it from here into Alpena and deliver flowers to her friends.”

Captain John Persons, Celia Persons and their daughter, Nina, had lived year round on Thunder Bay Island for 38 years during the Captain’s duty which had spanned from 1878-1912.

*Captain John Person*s *had been recognized for saving the lives of more than 1,000 people.*
*(bottom left) Nina, Celia and John Persons had traveled by skiff over the ice.*

The strength displayed by the Persons family has been mirrored in Sue and Dave’s dedication. Sue always makes sure that the Persons’ grave has flowers. (top left photo) People deserve to be remembered and their legacy shared. Now the Persons family has become part of our story and your story, too.

Shoreline Stroll With Captain Dan

We’d heard that light keepers and surfmen from the life saving station had carved their names into the limestone surface surrounding the island. With anticipation Captain Dan took us on a search for some of these relics.

*The Niagara Escarpment limestone held whispers of lives from the past:*
*USLHS May 1923 (top photos) and W.J. McCulley a keeper from the 1830’s*

Standing over these pieces of carefully carved stone permitted me to ‘dip my toes’ into a long gone era. Imagining these men painstakingly forming each letter had given me a lesson in patience and a peek into the past. These inscriptions have been worn by waves over the decades, yet honor the hardworking men who had survived on this island.

Climbing The Tower

Now, what we’ve all been waiting for . . . Chuck’s climb to the top of the lighthouse!

*These iron steps have hoisted people for nearly two hundred years!*

*The view from the tower had opened a new perspective, showing how important this light has been.*

Dedicated Volunteers Need Donations

*The restoration of this lighthouse has been a Herculean task!*
*Let’s support this amazing group as they breathe life into history.*

We’d asked Dave and Sue what they had needed most. “Well, our tractor is old and still has a lot of work to do. Everything we bring here is hauled by this 1950’s beauty.” So, Chuck and I have donated $1,000.00 of our YouTube revenue. In two days of our video being released, fifty donations have been received! Let’s pitch in some funds! If you’re able to give, please add a note that it’s for their tractor via Restless Viking.

*Let’s assist these hard working volunteers and donate to their cause of preserving Great Lakes history!*
*Photo Credit: Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society Facebook Page*

Donate by PayPal to The Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society by clicking here! You may send a check in the mail at TBIPS, PO Box 212, Alpena, MI 49707.

Thank you for your consideration! In a world full of bitterness, we have found this band of individuals using their talents to breathe life into the stories of human strength and keeping their legacies alive. There are many tales of heroism and tragedy around Thunder Bay Island. Learning from our ancestors gives us perspective as we face challenges today.

Resources:

Sue, Dave, Rick, Tom and Dan, volunteers
Jessica and Dave, Sebastian and Rory, volunteers
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary website
United States Coast Guard Thunder Bay Light website
Michigan Economic Development Corporation website
Lighthouse Friends website
Visit Alpena Life Saving Stations website
Visit Alpena Thunder Bay Light website

The Restless Viking