Set amidst old maple trees, and well-maintained gardens, the Grosse Point lighthouse is located in a beautiful, park-like setting on the shore of Lake Michigan. Add the colors of Fall, and the proximity to the lake, the grounds become magical. Built in 1873, the 112 foot tall concrete and brick tower rises above other homes in suburban Evanston, Illinois.
Built to aid ships travelling on Lake Michigan, the citizens of Evanston petitioned Congress for a lighthouse on Grosse Point following several shipwrecks off the shore. The collision of the Lady Elgin and a lumber schooner in 1860, (300-400 people lost) was a catalyst in the decision to petition for a lighthouse. The process was delayed by the Civil War, but construction eventually began in 1872, and the lantern, with it's second order Fresnel lens, was first lit in March of 1874.
The grounds are open year-round, free of charge. Tours of the tower are offered May - September on weekends, and currently cost $6.
No comments:
Post a Comment