Presque Isle Lighthouse
Presque Isle Lighthouse
Beach #9 at Presque Isle
Construction began on the Presque Isle Lighthouse in 1872, and was first list on July 12th 1873, making it only the second lighthouse constructed on Lake Erie. The tower is made of brick and an attached dwelling was home to nine U.S. Lighthouse service keepers and their families until 1944.
Before electric bulbs were used, the keeper climbed to the top of the tower every four hours to check the whale oil used for burning in the lamp. Through a fourth order Fresnel lens mounted in the top of the tower, a single oil lamp would project a warning light that was visible for thirteen nautical miles. Two red flashes followed by four white flashes let the boaters know they were headed towards Erie, Pa. Today the light is automated and the and the characteristic has been changed to a 3 second-on, 3 second-off white light. The dwelling is currently a private residence for park staff.
Visitors can view the lighthouse from the beach and take a walk on the Sidewalk Trail to Misery bay to see where the keeper crossed the bay to get supplies.
