Preserving the Light

Rock of Ages Lighthouse work trip 2012

2011-05-28T14:33:00.006-05:00

Everyone will be thrilled to know that Rock of Ages Lighthouse will be transferred from the Coast Guard to Isle Royale National Park by Spring 2012. Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society has been given permission to start planning work trips to the Lighthouse, the first of which will be this Spring 2012 after the transfer has taken place. Please check our website for information on how you can help out and for more details.

https://sites.google.com/site/rockofageslighthouse/

Update on the Dock

2011-05-28T09:29:00.002-05:00

As you can see the dock was damaged over the winter of 2010-2011. The end of the dock has cracked and fallen, it is now resting on the end of the wooden crib. It is only connected to the rest of the dock by some re-bar and steel pipe.

Rock of Ages Dock - Built 1909

2010-09-30T22:13:00.010-05:00

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Thought I would share a few photographs of the dock at Rock of Ages Lighthouse so everyone can get a better idea of its current condition, as it will be one of the first projects that will need to be undertaken so as to improve access to the Light Station for future work.

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Notice the lack of any dock cleats or anything proper to tie up your boat to.

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You can see the "U" shape damage to the top of dock, 100 years of Lake Superior storms and winter ice flows.

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The Dock was constructed the summer of 1909. It consists of a heavy timber crib structure filled with large rock. The timber crib sits just below water level, on top of the crib sits a large slab of concrete reinforced with steel. A plate steel skirt was later added around the dock to help protect against wave and ice action, but it has since fallen away. The concrete at water level has been slowly eaten away over the years and is now dangerously cantilevered with only a small pillar supporting the end of the dock.

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Nice view of the lake bottom around the dock.

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Closer view of the "U" shaped damage on the top of the dock and the arrangements for tying up a boat.

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Cover located on the dock. If anyone can tell me what this may have been used for I would appreciate it.

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Walkway leading from the dock up to the stairs to Lighthouse pier.

That is all I have for now. As always, feel free to E-mail me at rockofagesLPS@gmail.com if you would like to join our efforts. Only with the help of folks like you, can we save this magnificent Lighthouse for future generations to enjoy. It's going to be an amazing adventure so E-mail and find out how you can get involved.

Rock of Ages Lighthouse video

2009-08-25T21:29:00.011-05:00

Thought I would finally get around to uploading a quick video for everyone to enjoy, you may want to let the video load all the way before playing as the file is rather large. Look it up on YouTube,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aSO9JMavmY
"Rock of Ages Lighthouse."
-Enjoy

Our website (http://sites.google.com/site/rockofageslighthouse/) has been undergoing updates as well so be sure to check it out.

Isle Royale Trip 2009 - Part 2

2009-08-12T19:54:00.024-05:00

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This is just a few pictures to highlight a some of the rooms as you climb the tower.
Enjoy
The cast iron stairway leading to the top of the crib, the crib is 30ft tall and 50ft wide and contains the basement (boiler room) and sub basement (pump room.) The walls of the crib are 12ft thick of solid concrete and lined with brick on the inside and thick iron plating on the outside. 2500 yards of concrete was poured to form the walls of the crib. The crib protects the lighthouse from the thick sheets of lake ice that are heaved up against the light station during the long cold winter months, and also to keep the waves from washing directly against the tower during violent Lake Superior gales.

Looking up at the tower from the top of the crib. The tower walls are 3ft thick at the base are are made with a steel skeletal framework and brick masonry, faced with concrete parching. The lighthouse is 132ft tall containing 10 levels. Sub-basement, basement, engine room, Galley, Office, sleeping quarters, more sleeping quarters, watch room, lower lantern room, upper lantern room.
Chain fence atop the crib.
Engine room, just inside the main storm doors at the base of the tower. The engine room and both basement levels have poured concrete floors.
Engine room ceiling, due to extensive water damage the plaster ceiling is falling in. Notice the structural steel framework.
Galley level is in poor condition with rotten wood floors and extensive water damage.
Lots of paint coming off the walls and fair amount of rust on the cast iron stairs.
Most of the wood floors have rotted away in the galley, office, and both sleeping quarter levels.
There is new metal grating laid over the floors for safety and since all the interior floors are supported by original steel beams they are safe to walk on, as long as you stay on the grating.

The lower lantern room is the only level with an intact wood floor, baseboards and door frames.

Prism glass in the upper lantern room floor is intact and the cast iron stair is in good condition.

Looking out at the Rock of Ages Shoal from the upper lantern level (117ft).
Ladder leading to the roof.
Hope this gives everyone a better idea of the condition of the lighthouse and a better idea of how the levels are laid out.
The next few entries will detail certain areas of the lighthouse, including the dock, the basement levels, lantern room, and more. So stay tuned.

Once again I am asking that if there is anyone out there who has inside or outside pictures of Rock of Ages Lighthouse when it was still manned, or anyone who was stationed at, or has first hand knowledge of the Rock of Ages Lighthouse, please contact us at (rockofagesLPS@gmail.com) We could really use your help piecing together what the inside looked like before automation, as all the rooms have been stripped bare. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Website- http://sites.google.com/site/rockofageslighthouse/
E-mail- rockofagesLPS@gmail.com

Isle Royale Trip 2009

2009-08-04T20:27:00.006-05:00

I have returned from Isle Royale and am pleased to inform everyone that with the help of the wonderful Park Rangers at Windigo, I was able to get out to the Rock of Ages Lighthouse and survey its current condition first hand.
Over the next week I will be posting some pictures from the trip so everyone can get a better idea of the work that has to be done.

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Check back soon to see more pictures and video of the outside, inside and the lantern room.

The work ahead

2008-12-04T22:45:00.005-06:00

I'm pleased to inform everyone that we have received our 501c(3) tax exempt status from the IRS. Which means we can finally start the real work, we are going to need a lot of dedicated volunteers and a lot of funds to save this Lighthouse. So if you have not already joined, visit our website now, fill out the form, become a member, and get involved. http://sites.google.com/site/rockofageslighthouse/

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of why we need your help.

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Rock of Ages Light Celebrates 100 years

2008-10-22T04:39:00.005-05:00

On the night of October 22, 1908 Second Assistant Keeper William Duggan lite a temporary fixed red Third Order Fresnel lens atop the Rock of Ages Lighthouse, putting the newly constructed station into operation.

News from Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society

-Updated website is nearly complete

-We are still waiting on our Non-Profit status from the IRS, the IRS is currently processing applications received in May '08. Our application was received in August, so we can expect at least 3-5 months before we receive a determination letter. -We are moving forward with the plans for Rock of Ages Lighthouse. Once we become a Non-Profit we will begin to raise donations for the Historic Structures Report, seek out new members with needed skills, find a corporate sponsor, join the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance, and once these initial steps are complete, it is our intent to seek a partnership agreement with Isle Royale National Park so that the actual restoration work can begin.

rockofageslps@gmail.com

http://sites.google.com/site/rockofageslighthouse/

Happy 100th Anniversary
Rock of Ages Lighthouse

A Future for Rock of Ages Lighthouse

2008-09-20T23:38:00.002-05:00

This last Thursday, Sept. 18. I had a meeting with Isle Royale Park Superintendent Phyllis Green and West District Park Ranger Steve Martin. The subject of this meeting was the future of the Rock of Ages Lighthouse, and what part the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society may have in this future.
First I should say that The Rock of Ages Lighthouse is in the process of being transfered to the National Park Service. For the Society to restore the lighthouse we will have to enter into a partnership agreement with Isle Royal National Park.
Their warnings of the scale and scope of the project given our still young group and safety concerns given the remoteness and current condition of the lighthouse were understandable, but it was agreed that a partnership may be possible if done in Phases. Our continued partnership would be dependent on the the completion of the specified project for that phase. The first phase may be funding an Historic Structures Report, increasing membership to include retired Coast Guard, those familiar with Lighthouse Restoration, and those familiar with Isle Royale. Second phase may be helping to fund the repair of the dock, acquiring a work boat and so on until our abilities are established.
What we need to do now is decide what as a group we want and expect in a partnership agreement. Greatest of our concerns at this time is the possibility of not being able to stay at the lighthouse for extended work trips, this would make it very difficult to complete the restoration in a reasonable amount of time. As we become more established hopefully this point will become negotiable.
I will update as I receive more Information and feedback.

Duluth Lighthouse for sale

2008-09-14T16:33:00.005-05:00

In our search for a home where the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society can meet, the society is looking into the Duluth inner south breakwater Light, which is about to go up for sale. Here are some of the pictures from our tour.

A Lighthouse eulogy

2008-08-28T21:33:00.003-05:00

Thought I should share the Final Logbook entry for the Tillmook Rock Lightstation by it's last Lighthouse Keeper, anyone who loves lighthouses should look into it's amazing history.

On September 1, 1957, Keeper Oswald Allik turned off the light for the last time, and penned the following final logbook entry:

Farewell, Tillamook Rock Light Station. An era has ended. With this final entry, and not without sentiment, I return thee to the elements. You, one of the most notorious and yet fascinating of the sea-swept sentinels in the world; long the friend of the tempest-tossed mariner. Through howling gale, thick fog and driving rain your beacon has been a star of hope and your foghorn a voice of encouragement. May the elements of nature be kind to you. For 77 years you have beamed your light across desolate acres of ocean. Keepers have come and gone; men lived and died; but you were faithful to the end. May your sunset years be good years. Your purpose is now only a symbol, but the lives you have saved and the service you have rendered are worthy of the highest respect. A protector of life and property to all, may old-timers, newcomers and travelers along the way pause from the shore in memory of your humanitarian role.

To be a Non-Profit

2008-08-08T22:14:00.002-05:00

The 1023 IRS form, to be recognized as a Non-Profit by the IRS, has been finished and will be sent in this Monday August 11. Thank you to everyone for your help in preparing these documents, once the last of the state and federal paperwork is filed, we can start to concentrate on our mission to restore the Rock of Ages Lighthouse.

The Keeper

News from Isle Royale

2008-08-06T16:39:00.002-05:00

We have started out on an amazing journey of which we are all a part of, I am thrill to announce that we have heard back from Isle Royale National Park and they seem ready to start discussion on the future prospects of our organization in the restoration of Rock of Ages, here is a copy for you all to read;

Hi -
This is very exciting news. Thank you for contacting me. I didn't know there was a Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society. Where are you located?

I'll forward your message and website address on to the Park Superintendent and we can look into setting up a meeting/conference call with you to discuss your organization and goals. I will get back in touch with you in a week or so. It's a pretty busy time out here and the Superintendent is not in the park right now.

In the meantime, I'll be looking at your website. Again, thanks for contacting me and I'll be back in touch soon.

Liz Valencia

Searching the Archives

2008-08-05T17:57:00.002-05:00

Just to keep everyone informed, we have started to compile a history of Rock of Ages. Starting at the National Archives in Washington DC, we hope to find the original Plans for the Lighthouse along with some of the early Keepers Logbooks.

If anyone knows of someone who served at Rock of Ages Lighthouse, we would be thrilled to have their help in recording the history of the light and also during process of restoration.

The Keeper

Saying Hello to Isle Royale

2008-08-05T17:28:00.002-05:00

Today we officially requested help from Isle Royale National Park in the process of obtaining Rock of Ages Lighthouse through lease from the United States Coast Guard, for the purpose of restoration and preservation. It's our hope that through our love for Lake Superior, Isle Royale, it's history, and the importance of preserving that history, we will be able to work together to Preserve a unique part of our past.

I'll be sure to post as soon as I hear a reply. Also I am getting a lot of support for our mission from everyone I have talked to, I can feel the energy and excitement building as we reach for our goal. So keep spreading the word, we can alway use more helpers.

The Keeper

Pictures of the Lighthouse from the Isle Royale Ferry

2008-08-04T07:36:00.006-05:00

Out on Lake Superior
Rock of Ages comes into view.
The Rock of Ages Lightstation and Reef in full view.

Great News from the State of Minnesota

2008-08-04T07:05:00.001-05:00

As of July 24, 2008 the Society was officially incorporated by State of Minnesota Secretary of State!

The Society's Blog is Online!

2008-08-04T06:46:00.003-05:00

Our blog is up and online! Keep an eye out here for updates from members of the society as we move forward towards our goal of restoring the Rock of Ages Lighthouse. Feel free to share your commentary, we would love to hear your feedback regarding how we best can preserve the light that has shown for so many years from the Rock of Ages Lightstation.

NG