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Harbor Beach, MI |
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Description:
In 2004, the Harbor Beach Lighthouse, deemed excess by the Coast Guard, was offered at no cost to eligible entities, including federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit corporations, and educational organizations under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. The City of Harbor Beach submitted an application for the lighthouse and was recommended as the new owner, but the official transfer was delayed due to the State of Michigan requiring a bottomlands lease for any owner besides the federal government. The bottomlands agreement was too cumbersome for the city to accept, but after years of negotiations and threatened legal action, an acceptable agreement was finally worked out between the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance. During the Great Lakes Lighthouse Preservation Conference held in June of 2010, ceremonies were held to transfer Harbor Beach Lighthouse to the City of Harbor beach. The Harbor Beach Lighthouse Preservation Society, stewards of the light since the early 1980s, will continue to manage the lighthouse for the city.
A celebration that included a chicken BBQ, live music, and maritime speakers was held in Harbor Beach on July 31, 2010 to recognize the long-awaited transfer. That day also marked the debut of public tours to Harbor Beach Lighthouse.
Location:
Located at the end of a detached breakwater in
Harbor Beach's harbor.
The fourth-order Fresnel lens from the lighthouse is located in the Grice Museum, which is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tuesday to Friday from noon until 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The lighthouse is owned by the City of Harbor Beach. Grounds/tower closed.
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