Ludington North Breakwater Light, Ludington, Michigan
Posted by: 
KG1960
N 43° 57.216 W 086° 28.158
16T E 542581 N 4866856
A lighthouse at the end of the north breakwater in Lake Michigan at Ludington, Michigan.
Waymark Code: WM10EX
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 12/02/2006
Views: 76
Typical of river mouth harbors on the Great Lakes, the initial work consisted of timber crib piers on both sides of the river mouth to reduce sand deposition and dredging of the river mouth to navigable depths. The first light of any kind was installed in 1870. Over the years, various other lights were installed as the current ones were damaged in storms, the piers damaged (by wind, waves, and ice), or the piers lengthened or otherwise changed.
Finally in 1924, as the timber structures were deteriorating, construction of concrete breakwaters and the present lighthouse was started. Work on the lighthouse went quickly and the light was first turned on also in 1924. The unusual shape of the structure was designed to deflect the force of waves.
Ludington (along with a few other cities) became a center for railroad car ferries. Rail cars destined for the northern transcontinental route could save a few days by ferrying across Lake Michigan rather than going through the railroad congestion in Chicago.
The last rail car ferry ended operation in 1990. One of the old car ferries, the S.S. Badger (410 feet - 125 m long, 4244 tons), has been converted to an automobile and truck and passenger ferry and still operates between Ludington, MI, and Manitowoc, WI, perhaps mostly as a tourist attraction.
In 1994 the crib supporting the lighthouse settled and gave the lighthouse a 4 degree list. An engineering study determined that the structure was still safe and secure, and the decision was not to try to fix the list. In 1995 the 4th order Fresnel lens was replaced with a 300 mm acrylic optic. The Fresnel lens is presently on display in the museum in the White Pine Village, Ludington, MI.
The public is allowed to walk on the breakwater right up to the lighthouse, but the lighthouse itself is not open to the public. Storms can cause waves large enough to crash over the breakwater. In winter time, wind blown ice and snow can accumulate on the breakwater, so walking on the breakwater is recommended only in fair weather.
Coastal Lighthouse: Lighthouse
Range Lights: Not listed
LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE VISIT: Not listed
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