Historic Light Station
Information
& Photography
INDIANA
GARY HARBOR BREAKWATER LIGHT
Location: GARY HARBOR, LAKE MICHIGAN, NEAR GARY, INDIANA
Station Established: 1837
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1911
Operational? YES
Automated? UNKNOWN
Deactivated: N/A
Foundation Materials: UNKNOWN
Construction Materials: STEEL PLATES
Tower Shape: CONICAL, TAPERED AT THE TOP
Markings/Pattern: RED
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE
Original Lens: SIXTH ORDER FRESNEL
Historical Information:
- In the early 1900’s representatives of the United States Steel Corporation were scouting a location on the southern shores of Lake Michigan to house a steel plant. The area selected was a barren and virtually uninhabitable. A city was built south of the plant’s location to house the workers. It became Gary, Indiana. The harbor at the plant had to be excavated in order for the large container ships to enter the slips in the harbor.
- An “L” shaped breakwater was created in Lake Michigan to protect the harbor. It extends several thousand feet into the lake. At the end of the breakwater, Gary Harbor Breakwater Light was established.
- It was built in 1911 out of steel plates and stands 30 feet tall. A keeper’s quarters was not built at the site.
- A sixth order Fresnel lens was installed. It is reported the lens is still intact in the light but a modern light is currently in use.
- The light still serves as an active aid to navigation. The light is privately owned by U. S. Steel Corporation and is not open to the public. It is best viewed by boat or air.
Researched and written by Melissa Buckler, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.
Photographs:
INDIANA HARBOR LIGHT
Photographs:
INDIANA HARBOR EAST BREAKWATER LIGHT
Location: EAST CHICAGO HARBOR, LAKE MICHIGAN, NEAR EAST CHICAGO, INDIANA
Station Established: 1935
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1935
Operational? YES
Automated? UNKNOWN
Deactivated: N/A
Foundation Materials: UNKNOWN
Construction Materials: STEEL
Tower Shape: SQUARE STEEL ART DECO TOWER
Markings/Pattern: WHITE
Relationship to Other Structure: INTEGRAL
Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER FRESNEL LENS
Historical Information:
- As industry grew in the 1900s the shoreline of Lake Michigan became prime real estate for steel mills and other factories. The need for breakwaters began apparent to allow the large vessels to dock. Between 1901 and 1903 a breakwater was constructed in the Indiana Harbor.
- In 1914 the federal government took on responsibility for Indiana Harbor. A lighthouse may have been built in the harbor in 1920, though that is not verified.
- In 1935, the Indiana Harbor East Breakwater Light was built. It is a twin to the light that was built on the Port Washington, Wisconsin Breakwater the same year.
- Originally the light was fitted with a fourth order Fresnel lens. Today a green beacon shines from atop the lighthouse. It is not known when the light was automated.
- The lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation but is not open to the public. It is best seen by boat or air.
Researched and written by Melissa Buckler, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.
Photographs:
MICHIGAN CITY LIGHT
Location: LAKE MICHIGAN
Station Established: 1837
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1858
Pierhead Tower Lit: 1904
Operational? NO (Pierhead Tower Operational)
Automated? NO (Pierhead Tower Automated: 1960)
Deactivated: 1904
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED; Pierhead Tower: CONCRETE PIER
Construction Materials: WOOD; Pierhead Tower: STEEL/BRICK
Tower Shape: SQUARE (REPLICA); Pierhead Tower: OCTAGONAL ON FOG SIGNAL BLDG
Markings/Pattern: WHITE TOWER ON BRICK DWELLING; Pierhead Tower: WHITE TOWER
W/BLACK LANTERN
Relationship to Other Structure: INTEGRAL; Pierhead Tower: INTEGRAL
Original Lens: FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL 1858; Pierhead Tower: FIFTH ORDER 1904
Historical Information:
- 1837 – Original post light replaced by 1st lighthouse built on this site.
- 1858 – New lighthouse built 100’ East of previous tower.
- 1887 – Light in lantern first lit all year around rather than just April to November.
- 1902 – Improved kerosene lamps installed.
- 1904 – Extensive rebuilding done to the lighthouse – including enlarging the single keeper’s dwelling to a duplex. Light tower removed from the roof and the lens was transferred to an iron tower above fog signal building.
- 1904 – 1940 – Inactive lighthouse served as keeper’s house.
- 1960 – U.S. Coast Guard abandoned the light.
- 1973 – Replica light tower and lantern installed.
- 2003 – Spiral stairway rebuilt.
Keepers:
- John M. Clarkson (1858-1861)
- Harriet E. Colfax (1861 – 1904)
- T.J. Armstrong (1904 – 1918)
- Phillip Sheridan (1918 – 1930)
- Walter Donovan (1930 – unknown)
Researched and written by Marie Vincent, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.
Photographs:
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