Click here for a pdf version of this file

Lighthouse Island for Sale

Located 2.5 miles off the shores near Alpena, Michigan, is 227-acre Middle Island. The island features a fully operating United States Coast Guard 78-foot lighthouse along with a two-story; 12-room residence constructed in 1907 and a fog signal building, which has been converted into a lodge. The west side of the island offers a 380-foot break wall. Nearby are a duck hunting blind and observation tower. The island also offers an established trail system and a large private dock. A five-mile underwater electrical line provides power to the island. It is still an active aid to navigation which is owned and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Check it out on Zillow.com or Realtor.com. It can be yours for $3.9 million.

Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse Rededication

Following extensive renovations completed in 2022, the Highland Lighthouse in Truro, Massachusetts was rededicated with a ribbon cutting and ceremony on May 3, 2024. Speaking at the rededication were William Burke, Park Historian, and Jennifer Flynn, Superintendent, both with Cape Cod National Seashore; Kevin Kissling, CEO Eastern National. The lighthouse was moved back from the eroding bluff in 1996 and is currently 450 feet from the cliff.

Barcelona Lighthouse gets federal funding

The Barcelona Lighthouse in New York, which was the first natural gas lighthouse, has been selected to receive $50,000 in federal grant money for restoration work through the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program. Due to this construction beginning in 2024, there will be several grounds areas closed to the public throughout the project.

Eldred Rock Light Named Most Endangered

Alaska Preservation, the nonprofit formally known as Alaska Association for Historic Preservation has released its annual list of Alaska’s most endangered properties. The organization has been publishing lists of top endangered properties since 1991. This year, the Eldred Rock Lighthouse is once again among those endangered properties. Located on a remote Southeast Alaska island near Haines, Eldred Rock has been a part of this list since 2019. This summer, volunteers are working to restore Eldred Rock Lighthouse, which was built in 1905 and is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska. Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association (ERLPA) has leased the lighthouse from the U.S. Coast Guard since 2020. ERLPA received about $45,000 in matching grants from the National Park Service’s maritime preservation program. Volunteers from the association and contractors are working from May through July to remediate lead paint and asbestos, repair the lantern room and halt degradation caused by decades of water intrusion and harsh conditions. The Coast Guard left the lighthouse unstaffed since 1973.

John Potvin Receives Leadership Award

The Maryland Historical Trust has awarded John Potvin, Lighthouse Manager at Thomas Shoal Point Lighthouse, with the “Outstanding Individual Leadership Award” for 2024. John is being recognized for years of work preserving the Thomas Shoal Point Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark, conducting tours and training volunteers. Our congratulations to John Potvin.

Burrows Island Light Station

The Northwest Schooners Society, the group that is caretakers of the Burrows Island Light Station is working with the U.S. Coast Guard who have contracted the remediation work long promised to the group. A new roof for the keeper’s quarters was also added. There is still a lot more work to do and they are in need of donations. Please visit www.BurrowsIslandLighthouse.com to make a much-needed donation. Or you can send a check to: Burrows Island Light Station, Northwest Schooner Society, P.O. Box 75421, Seattle, WA 98175.

Change of Command for West Quoddy Trustees

West Quoddy Head Keepers Association held their Annual Meeting last fall at the easternmost lighthouse to get started planning for the 2024 season and to elect new members. Pictured here are the Trustees of West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Keepers Association and the Executive Director of the Visitors Center & Lighthouse History Museum. Standing left to right: Marty Saccone, Michael Rice, Davis Pike, Gene Gaffney, Bob Trapani, Jr. (President), Larry Conrad (Secretary), Tom Dean. Seated left to right: Geri Ilg (Vice President), Linda Robinson, Sheila Huckins, and Cindy Eaton. Not pictured - Matt Schreck (Treasurer)

Lorraine Parris

A much-loved volunteer at the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival for 25 years, Lorraine Parris (97), passed away June 1, 2024. She and her husband George were caretakers at the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse in Michigan. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1871 when the New Presque Isle Lighthouse replaced it. George and Lorraine were caretakers beginning in 1975 and they created a museum full of history and storytelling. George passed in 1992 and Lorraine stayed until 2001. Visitors were welcomed and Lorraine still corresponded up until her death with many of the visitors who quickly became her friends. Our condolences go to her family and many friends.

Click here for a pdf version of this file

This story appeared in the Sep/Oct 2024 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

All contents copyright © 1995-2025 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.