Restoring and Preserving the DeTour Reef Light

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On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in August Milton “Steve” Lovett stepped onto the DeTour Reef Light for the first time in almost 48 years. As a young man Steve served on the Light from 1958-1959 as an EN3 (Engineman 3^rd Class) with the United States Coast Guard. He was one of the few men who volunteered for the duty because the Light sits a mile offshore in northern Lake Huron at the far eastern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and marking a dangerous reef to help guide ship traffic from and to Lake Huron and Lake Superior via the St. Mary’s River.

The remoteness didn’t bother Steve. “I thought it was great that I got so much time off” he stated. The job schedule consisted of 3 weeks on the Light followed by one week off plus an additional 30 days of leave because of the remoteness of the assignment. “I was able to do a lot of traveling and have a lot of fun.

The DeTour Reef Light has weathered many changes since the time Steve worked on it. It was automated in 1974 with all the interior furnishings removed, and in 1997 it was declared surplus property by the U. S. Coast Guard.

In August 1997, Dick Moehl, a well know lighthouse preservationist and President of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA), was made aware of the U.S. Coast Guard’s excessing of the DeTour Reef Light. He contacted Bob Jones and Jim Charles of DeTour Village. Together they took a boat ride out to the lighthouse to investigate its condition. This boat ride was the inspiration for the community to come together for a common cause to save the DeTour Reef Light.

On June 15, 1998 First Lady Hilary Clinton announced that DeTour Reef Light was placed on the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. It was the first time a lighthouse was included on this prestigious list.

The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization to restore and preserve the lighthouse.

THE BEGINNING OF THE DETOUR REEF LIGHT

The DeTour Reef extends one mile out at the opening into the St. Mary’s River at the easternmost tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. By 1919, an average of 77 commercial vessels per day was traveling this strategic waterway connecting Lake Huron to Lake Superior. As larger and more sophisticated vessels with deeper drafts were developed, the shallow waters at the reef made it increasingly difficult to traverse the area safely. Shipping interests asked for an aid to navigation which would be nearer to the channel than the onshore light station; so, in 1929, the U.S. Lighthouse Service authorized building a new lighthouse to be located offshore in 24 feet of water on the outer end of the DeTour Reef.

Built in 1931, the 83 foot high DeTour Reef Light is a steel-framed square tower of three distinct levels in Classical Revival architectural styling. It sits on a unique concrete (crib) platform 60-foot square rising 20 feet above the surface of the water,

In his 1937 book, legendary longtime commissioner of the Lighthouse Service, George R. Putnam stated "The building of the station at DeTour was the result of a conference I had at Detroit… I proposed a lighthouse built on the submerged reef, close to the edge of the channel. This station was built and has proved most valuable to shipping… When I visited the DeTour Reef Lighthouse a year later, I ran across this entry which Alan Stevenson had made in the station log: ‘Delighted to visit the most up to date lighthouse I have ever seen.’ I was told, however, that he added orally, ‘But oh, how extravagant!’ I expect he was referring to the bathtub and electric lights provided for the keepers' quarters!"

THE BEGINNING OF THE DETOUR REEF LIGHT PRESERVATION SOCIETY (DRLPS)

The lighthouse was manned from 1931 until the light was automated in 1974. Due to more sophisticated navigational equipment aboard ships, and the massive conversion to unmanned automated beacons, along with insufficient operating funds, the Coast Guard rendered DeTour Reef Lighthouse obsolete in 1997. Federal government regulations, however, do allow for nonprofit organizations to obtain long-term leases and ownership on such surplus property for the purpose of preservation.

After the boat ride out to the lighthouse by Moehl, Jones, and Charles, they inspired people from the community to come together for a common cause to save the Light; and, in January 1998, the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society was formed to restore and preserve it. The success of the DRLPS is based on the unfailing dedication and determination of the volunteers and the loyal support of the constituency and the State of Michigan.

The DeTour Reef Light is a point of pride for residents of both DeTour Village and Drummond Island. The mutual objective of saving the Light has brought the two communities, separated by the St. Mary’s River, together in the preservation effort. The communities value the historical contribution of the Light and the keepers. The Light is a testament both to the importance of shipping in the region and the nation’s political, economic and social history. The Light is also valued for its architectural beauty and esthetic value as a landmark of the area.

FUNDING

Since 1998, the DRLPS has taken a very active approach to developing and maintaining a dedicated membership from around the country with annual dues and annual donations from a core group of individuals supporting much of the cost of operating the Society. Additionally, money has been raised from several annual successful fundraising and social events which include: benefit dinners, auctions, boat cruise to the lighthouse and up the St. Marys River and through the Soo Locks, and an elegant Evening Under the Stars dinner on Drummond Island.

Grant money for the restoration has come from many sources including Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Michigan Lighthouse Project (MLP), Michigan Lighthouse Alliance (MLA), National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA), Michigan Lighthouse and Maritime Heritage Act (MLMHL),and Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP).

THE RESTORATION

Crucial to the success of the restoration program was the obtaining of historical documents including photos and original architectural engineering drawings and acquiring a twenty-year lease of the lighthouse from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The first part of the major restoration effort was undertaken in 2003. The first project was to rebuild one of the deck cranes using some of the parts found in the water at the base on the crib and fabricating missing pieces. Other exterior work began by setting up tons of scaffolding. Repairing the roof on the lantern; scraping and painting the ventilator ball and dome; removing all the windows from the lantern, cleaning and refinishing the frames, and installing new windows. The exterior of the watch room walls were scraped and repainted along with the decking railing and ladder. A new flag pole was put in place, and a new smoke stack installed. All of the windows on the upper and lower towers were refurbished; repaired, repainted, and new glass was installed where necessary. The upper tower had all of the paint removed by hand scraping, and was then sandblasted, primed and painted. Portions of the new chain rail on the outer edges of the pier deck were installed.

Interior work was also extensive. Interior walls needing replacement were demolished and re-built. The interior and upper tower were cleaned and repainted. The circular staircase leading to the upper levels was sand blasted and repainted. Plumbing and electrical systems were repaired.

Period furnishings were donated by DRLPS members including a 1930s GE electric stove, mess table and chairs, a roll top desk and chair, book cases, and metal bunk beds.

The initial restoration was completed in 2004. A final inspection was held for State and Federal government authorities on September 15, 2004, and the restoration project passed with flying colors!

The DeTour Reef Light continues to be restored, maintained and preserved by the DRLPS. During the winter, the second deck crane is being fabricated and will be re-mounted on the deck in early June. The original 1931 fog horn was re-build as part of the original restoration effort and now the internal mechanism will be installed. Because of the temperature and humidity extremes in the Upper Peninsula, the preservation of the Light is a continuing challenge that the DRLPS pursues with dedication and planning.

Future plans include developing an onshore viewing and educational center to enhance public awareness of the history of all of the lighthouses of DeTour Passage and an appreciation for the maritime heritage of the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

PUBLIC ACCESS

The DeTour Reef Light is the only off shore light, sitting on an underwater reef the offers public access. Every year since 2005, the DRLPS has sponsored a Lighthouse Tour program and a Resident Light Keeper program from June through August. The programs are popular with lighthouse lovers and boat watchers and are an experience of a lifetime.

Because of the Light’s uniqueness, safe public access to the offshore DeTour Reef Light requires special ingenuity to reach the deck 20 feet above the water. The DRLPS has devised a unique method to ensure the safety of all the Light’s visitors. After the charter boat is moored at the base of the Light, visitors climb a 20 foot vertical ladder to the pier deck. Each visitor is provided with a fitted, full body safety harness while climbing. Many age groups have successfully boarded the Light (even one with prosthetic knees).

VISITING THE DETOUR REEF LIGHT 45 YEARS LATER

The Light Steve Lovett worked on in the late 1950s looks much the same he observed; however the color on the walls isn’t the same. He especially remembers the ugly pea soup green on all of the walls of the living quarters. The only paint choices provided by the Coast Guard in the 1950s were white, gray, black, and an ugly pea soup green.

While he was in the area he also had the opportunity to see the Light’s original 3-1/2 order Fresnel lens at the DeTour Passage Historical Museum in DeTour Village. He reminisced about the many hours he spent cleaning the lens.

(After a 25 year career with the Coast Guard, with additional assignments in Texas Alaska, New York, Florida, Louisiana and Alabama, Steve retired as a W4 (Commissioned Warrant Officer) He and his wife of 46 years, Geneva, live in Alabama.)

To learn more about the organization, the lighthouse, and the public tour and light keeper programs, please visit www.DRLPS.com, email drlps@drlps.com, call 906-493-6609 or write to DRLPS, PO Box 307, Drummond Island, MI 49726.

"DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society is setting the standard of excellence for offshore lighthouse preservation that all efforts nationwide will be measured by in the future. The courage, vision and dedication of DRLPS volunteers matches the steadfast strength of the light itself -- ensuring that one of the Great Lakes finest historic treasures will shine on for future generations. The highest tribute that can be paid to the DRLPS is that we will only be able to truly learn of the extent of their passion and unwavering commitment to save such an offshore lighthouse as DeTour Reef in future reflection...for it is impossible to measure such fine dedication and its incalculable worth to the Drummond Island community and Great Lakes region in the present."

Bob Trapani, Executive Director,

Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation

Lewes, Delaware

submitted: 3/9/2008

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