150th Anniversary of
Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse

THE LIGHT SHINES BRIGHTLY FROM THE
"JEWEL OF HURON COUNTY"

Like the candle atop a birthday cake, the beacon of the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse seemed brighter and stronger August 4th & 5th. The Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society celebrated the 150th birthday for the oldest continuous operating light on the Great Lakes. Today this beacon continues to serve mariners on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay as it has been doing for 150 years.

What a fabulous celebration it was, several thousand people attended the two day festival. Many local residents and officials as well as visitors and Lighthouse family from Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon and the Carolinas. The candlelight dinner under the Beacon on Saturday evening and the dedication and unveiling of the Michigan Historical marker on Sunday were the highlights of the weekend.

Saturday saw the beginning of the festival with the 10am opening of the Tower climb of the 89 steps. A continuous line of climbers moved up the Tower to view Lake Huron, the surrounding countryside and the festival grounds below throughout the day and again on Sunday.   Civil war reenactments from the 4th Michigan and the Arkansas 8th were presented both days with major battles taking place late in the day. Settlers showed the way of life and skills of the period for many of the visitors. Children’s games circa 1800 were enjoyed by many youngsters. A scavenger hunt culminated with the awarding of a boys and girls bicycle to the winners of the drawing in the "Lets Play" area. Jennifer Kerry and her volunteers deserve a “well done” for all the hard work in making the children’s games a huge success.

 Entertainers included Ziggy Zeitler and his wife Susan of the White Crow Conservancy, Carl Behrend, well known for his writings and music of the Great Lakes, Mike Deren, creator of the "Past in Person" was back by demand as the Schooner Captain and the Lumberjack. The past is shown with a message for the future by Mr. Deren. "Mother Goose", Marjorie Schaffer entertained the young with stories in the "Lets Play" area.

Two hundred and thirty enjoyed a candlelight catered dinner complete with birthday cake under the revolving light that has shown every night for 150 years. The Shook Family awards were presented to Comcast Corporation for their participation in the Lighthouse Maintenance during their Comcast Cares Day for the past two years. Jim Iseler, one of our original members was presented the second Shook Family Award for his constant work and willingness to do anything asked of him cheerfully and successfully during his tenure. President Upton (Bill) Bonner was obviously surprised and pleased when presented with a special Leadership Award during this significant period of restoration for the Lighthouse. Decedents from three of the Lighthouse Keepers were in attendance which made the birthday evening even more significant. The evening was topped off with a wonderful presentation by Robert McGreevy and candlelight tour of the Civil war encampment.

Sunday began with a pancake breakfast which was really different because most of the settlers and civil war soldiers attended in costume and uniform. The Michigan State Historical Marker was dedicated beginning at noon. The marker was presented by Cindy Krueger, Web Development Director, Michigan State Department of History, Arts and Libraries to Huron County represented by Mr. Robert Haldane, Director of the Huron County Commissioners. The presentation was also attended by the Huron County Road Commissioners and the County Commissioners.

Making this Historical Marker presentation more important to the Lighthouse was the fact that Ms. Krueger is a decendant of Peter and Catharine Shook, the 1st and 2nd keepers of the Pointe aux Barques Light. A special achievement award was presented to the Society by Adam Stachecki of the Public Affairs office of Candice Miller.

The grand weather, wonderful entertainment and good food all contributed to making the Lights 150th birthday a huge success.