|
The Alcona Historical Society was formed to preserve the rich history of the Alcona County area. The society realizes the value of the past and its importance to future generations.
Members of the historical society take an active roll in the education of residents and visitors through various events. The Historical Day at the lighthouse, the Strawberry Social at the Bailey School, and tours of the lighthouse, tower climb and site designations are just a few of the events.
The organization relies on its members to fulfill the mission on which it was founded; to locate, preserve, protect, restore and record the historical records, objects, sites, and lands of Alcona County.
|
|
Until the early 20th Century, northern Michigan was almost completely dependent on waterborne commerce for all of its needs. Thousands of sailing vessels and early steamers plied the Great Lakes at a time when there were almost no aids to navigation to guide them along the dangerous coastline with its treacherous rocks, shoals and reefs. One such reef extends 1-12/ miles out into Lake Huron at Sturgeon Point, just north of Harrisville, Michigan. In 1869, the Lighthouse Service began construction of the lighthouse at Sturgeon Point to mark this hazard. Sturgeon Point Lighthouse became operational in the spring of 1870 and has been in continuous service for 137 years. It is still an operational lighthouse.
In 1876 the U. S. Life Saving Service established a Life Saving Station just south of Sturgeon Point Lighthouse. This station provided around-the-clock rescue capability for vessels in distress. With the formation of the U. S. Coast Guard in 1915, Sturgeon Point became a Coast Guard station.
The lighthouse was electrified and automated in 1939 and the last personnel left in 1941. The Coast Guard buildings were subsequently destroyed, however, the the lighthouse itself survived but was severely vandalized.
In 1982 the Alcona Historical Society leased the lighthouse and began a three - year restoration project. The interior of the keeper's house was completely restored, and the buildings were painted. Almost all of the work was done by volunteers. The lighthouse and keeper's house are of masonry construction on a limestone block foundation. The tower is 70 feet, 9 inches tall and is 16 feet in diameter at its base. The light is a 3.5 order Fresnel lens made in Paris, France. The light apparatus is still maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The keeper's house is now a maritime museum which is open to the public seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend. The lighthouse tower is open to the public. The grounds are open all year.
Sturgeon Point Lighthouse
Open Memorial Day through September
12 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Monday - Thursday
11 a.m - 4 p.m. - Saturday & Sunday
Lighthouse Tower Open 12 p.m - 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Gift Shop
Contact Person- Linda Klemens
989-724-6297
Photograph by Gordon Bennett
.
|
Photograph by Gordon Bennett
Facts about the Lincoln Train Depot:
- The Lincoln Depot, the last remaining depot of its kind in northeastern Michigan
- Lonely reminder of Michigan's former dependence on the railroads that snaked up and down the state.
- Wood structure has been standing since the 1880's
- Lincoln Train Depot (originally called the West Harrisville Depot) was built in 1886 by the Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad.
- The Depot is located on Lake Street in Lincoln and served the community and the surrounding area until 1929.
- First rail service to this area passed through Lincoln from the south and continued north through Ossineke to Alpena.
- Has been a private residence since about 1930 and is now owned by the Lincoln downtown Development Authority.
- In December of 1998, the Lincoln Depot was officially recognized as a Michigan Historic Site.
- January 6, 1999, the Friends of Lincoln Depot became affiliated with the Alcona Historical Society.
- The building is structurally sound, and its restoration and use as a museum and historical site would broaden the range of historical attractions available in the local area.
Lincoln Train Depot
Open 1st Monday of July Through September
10 a.m. - 2 p.m - Monday
1-3 p.m. - Tuesday
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Wednesday
2 - 4 p.m. - Thursday
6 - 8 p.m. - Friday
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Members of the Society take pride in their stewardship of the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse and donated hundreds of hours each year to greet visitors and explain the history of the lighthouse, museum and Great Lakes shipping. The restored Bailey School adds a new dimension to historical story at Sturgeon Point and reflects the Society's dedication to all aspects of the region's history.
Officers
President - Gordon F. Bennett III
Vice President - Linda Kemens
Secretary - Joan Crick
Treasurer - Dave Tacia
Board of Directors
Lloyd Cubalo
Karen Hoenes
Arlene Good
Pam Idema
Joan Crick
Kristin Benghauser
Don Sawyer “Emeritus” Past President
Jason Hodges “Emeritus”
To Be A Member of the Alcona Historical Society
Send your name, address, and membership dues to:
Membership Chairman
Alcona Historical Society
P.O. Box 174
Harrisville, MI 48740
Membership Categories
(Annually)
|
Student
Individual
Family
Sponsor
|
$2.00
$10.00
$20.00
$35.00 or more
|
|
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OR CONTRIBUTIONS TO FURTHER THE WORK OF THE ALCONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND CAN BE MAILED TO:
Alcona Historical Society
P.O. Box 174 ~ Harrisville, MI 48740
Important Working Committees
Site Designation - Chairman Lynn Vanderlinde
Newsletter - Bill Roorda
Membership - Kristin Benghauser
Preservation - Dave Tacia
|
