Ballard Reef Light

Ballard Reef, Michigan

Detroit River

On September 1, 1891, the 119' wooden propeller steamer EDWARD H. JENKS, after a collision with the 1,000 ton steamer GEORGE W. MORLEY beached upon Ballard Reef. Her stone cargo kept her fast upon the rocks for nine years. She was ultimately recovered in 1900, rebuilt, and enlarged at the Oades yard in Detroit.

To warn ships of Ballard Reef, a light was placed there. This small steel aid to navigation is the latest.