Passage Island Light

Near Isle Royale, Michigan, USA

Lake Superior

Passage Island Light is the northernmost American lighthouse on the Great Lakes. It was first requested as early as 1871 after the discovery of silver at Silver Islet on the nearby Canadian side of Lake Superior. After repeated requests, $18,000 was conditionally appropriated for the construction of the lighthouse. The condition was that before this light could be built, Canada must build a lighthouse "on Colchester Reef, to the eastward of the mouth of the Detroit River" on Lake Erie. While intended to be a mutual gesture of cooperation, this agreement delayed the construction of Passage Island Light for five years as the Canadian Government planned and funded the Colchester Reef Light.

Passage Island Light, first lit on July 1, 1882, was equipped with a 44' high tower, originally featured a oil-fired lamp burning inside a Fourth Order Fresnel lens built by Barbier, Benard, & Turenne of Paris in 1880. In 1897, a flashing white light was installed, which improved visiblility. In 1913, the light source was upgraded to 50,000 candlepower, increasing its power tenfold. In 1928, the light was electified. Passage Island Light was automated in 1989, at which time the Coast Guard removed the Fresnel lens and placed it in storage. A modern plastic canister lamp replaced the original lens. At this time, the Coast Guard also added a helicopter pad.

The station first had a fog signal bell, replaced in 1882 by a dual stearm-powered for fog horn. That first year, the foghorn operated 174 hours. In 1906, it operated a record 902 hours, requiring the burning of 50 tons of coal to generate steam.

Passage Island is located just north of the eastern end of Isle Royale. Ships are said to "thread the needle" by sailing between Passage Island and Blake Point on Isle Royale. Given favorable water levels, tours of this light are offered by the National Park concessionaire at Rock Harbor on Isle Royale.