The tower of the Grosse Point Light Station in Evanston IL rises over the coast of Lake Michigan.
The Grosse Point Lighthouse marked a shallow shoal north of Chicago and started operations in 1873. During the late 1800's Chicago's 8 month season saw more shipping traffic than New York or San Francisco annually and the shoals off of Grosse Point were responsible for stranding or sinking numerous ships. Several petitions to Congress were made for a lighthouse but it was not until the sinking of the passenger steamer Lady Elgin in September of 1860 with over 300 deaths, that the petition gained momentum. Ironically the sinking of the Lady Elgin was one of the few shipping accidents in the area not related to the shoals. Delayed by the Civil War, Congress approved construction of the lighthouse after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Construction began in 1872 and in March of 1874 the lighthouse was fully operational. The Grosse Point Lighthouse used a Fresnel Lens, the largest type of optic used on the Great Lakes, and could be seen for 21 miles across the lake on a clear night. A registered national landmark, today the lighthouse serves as a park and maritime museum open to the public.
Size: 3600px × 5400px
Location: Grosse Point Lighthouse, Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, USA
Photo credit: © D Guest Smith / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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