belle isle lighthouse

History of Belle Isle Lighthouse on the Detroit River

Belle Isle Lighthouse was a lighthouse that existed on the northern point of Belle Isle to guide ships through the Detroit River. It was finished in 1882, following several months of building and years of requests for appropriation. At the time, $10,000 was requested. In todays dollars, that is over $250,000. It was a square, redbrick tower with an attached, two-story domicile, which cost an additional $6000 and was built in 1883.

Belle Isle Lighthouse 1891

From Annual Report of the Light-House Board of the United States to the Secretary

1877 – Head of Belle Isle, Detroit River, Michigan.—A light should be established at the northern point of Belle Isle to guide vessels into the south channel of the Detroit River, which is almost exclusively used. The reefs extending out from Isle aux Peche and Belle Isle make it difficult to strike this channel in dark nights, and a large number of vessels annually ground on one or other of these reefs. They are almost invariably compelled to call tow-boats to their assistance and are thus subjected to loss of money and time. An appropriation of $10,000 for this station is recommended.

A historical photo of Belle Isle Lighthouse

It was near Isle aux Peches, now called Peches Island, is an uninhabitated 86 acre island owned by Canada. It is 1.2 miles (1.9 km) east of U.S.-owned Belle Isle, and 360 yards (330 m) from the Windsor shore. Measured to be 109 acres in 1965, the effects of erosion are significantly decreasing its size.

In 1941, Belle Isle Lighthouse was demolished, replaced by a $250,000 Coast Guard station.

a colored postcard circa 1920s of Belle Isle Lighthouse

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