CRISP POINT LIGHT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Newsletter 49 October 2016

450 W. Marr Road, Howell, 48855 Rick (517) 230-6294 or email: [email protected] Website: www.crisppointlighthouse.org Editor: Jamie Rolfe [email protected] (616) 204-1729 CPLHS Facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crisppointlighthouse/

Aerial view of the finished tower Photo by Scott and Vicki White

1 Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Memorial Weekend 2016 at Crisp Point proved to be a very busy and productive weekend. Some of the many projects included installing a vent in the door to the service building, putting up a new sign, repainting the fence outside the visitor’s center, installing new engraved boards in the boardwalk, and staining the boardwalk.

Thank you to:

Vern Storm Shelley Guy Ron Lowell Carl and Marcia Jahn John, Diane, John John and Maggie Raths Rick Brockway Jamie, Derek and Bianca Rolfe Please remember there is mixed traffic on Luce County Road 412 so watch out for ATVs, drive slow and with your lights on.

2 20th Annual Crisp Point Light Historical Society Conference July 16, 2016

What a great conference! There were many activities this year including a silent auction, a raffle, great food, and many speakers.

Speakers: Conference Donations Heather Johnson Dee Smith Barrett Camp 33 Inc. Patricia Hillard Berry Patch Gifts & Restaurant Tom Bailey Brown Fisheries, The Fish House Paul Sabourin Joe & Nancy Cornwell Miriam Conner FireKeepers Casino Hotel Tod Ross Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Magnuson Grand Hotel Lakefront Jim McCormick Seward’s Wood-N-Crafts Tahquamenon Falls River Boat Tour Oswald’s Bear Ranch Shelley Guy Elaine Watson John & Cindy Briggs Dianne Sweeter

Photos by Donna Morgan

3 CPLHS Honors USLHS Keepers

Approximately 16 people attended a grave marker ceremony on August 27, 2016 in Vassar, Michigan for Jacob “Harry” Gibb. Mr. Gibb was in both the US Life-Saving Service and the US Service. One thing that was very remarkable about Harry Gibb, is that he was the only person to have been both a Keeper in the US Life-Saving Service (USLSS) and a Keeper in the US Lighthouse Service (USLHS) at Crisp Point.

Jacob Harry Gibb was born March 6, 1852 near Toronto, Canada. He was the son of Charles Gibb and Susie Winters, both born in Scotland. After moving to the US around 1875, he took up fishing near the Soo. Eventually he became a member of a life-saving crew (known as a Surfman) along and worked his way up to Captain (Keeper). On April 2, 1897, he was made Keeper of the Crisp Point Life-Saving Station. He resigned from his post on October 20, 1897. He was a life saver for many years before switching to the US Lighthouse Service.

Mr. Gibb was a First Assistant Lighthouse Keeper in the Straits of Mackinac at the Round Island Lighthouse from 1898 through March 31, 1907. He served as the Head Lightkeeper at Round Island from April 1, 1907 to February 28, 1911. He became Head Lightkeeper at Crisp Point Lighthouse on March 1, 1911. During the last year of his life, he took his post at Crisp Point on April 1, 1913 even though he was ill. He stayed at his post for about three weeks before having to leave due to his poor health. He was taken to a hospital in Bay City, MI, where he was diagnosed with an incurable bladder condition. He was brought back to Vassar, MI by W.H. Akins, as the Akins family hotel in Vassar was where Gibb stayed during the win- ter months when he was not on duty.

Jacob Gibb did not live long after making it back to Vassar in 1913. He passed away on May 3, 1913. Funeral Services were held on May 5, 1913 from the residence of Rev. Moon and Jacob was laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery in Vassar. His grave is next to the Akins family plot.

During the ceremony on August 27, two markers were installed at Mr. Gibb’s gravesite, one representing each of the ser- vices he was in. Since Harry started out his career in the Life-Saving Service as a Surfman and then worked his way up to becoming a Keeper, his USLSS grave marker bears a “Surfman” plaque in addition to a “Keeper” plaque. His USLHS grave marker bears a “Keeper” plaque.

Rick Brockway, President of Crisp Point Light Historical Society spoke about the Society’s plan to honor past Keepers of Crisp Point and that this is the third Keeper to receive grave markers this year. CPLHS Member Carl Jahn spoke about the life of Keepers and was wearing an authentic Keeper’s uniform. Cameron Lovett, Board Member of Crisp Point Light Historical Society, and Dorothy Watt, Director of the Vassar Historical Society Museum, spoke about the life of Mr. Gibb and his con- nection to Vassar, Michigan.

Members of the Vassar Historical Society and Crisp Point Light Historical Society were also present at the ceremony. Doro- thy Watt’s friend Margaret Akins Briggs was the granddaughter of W.H Akins, who was the person who brought Mr. Gibb back to Vassar after his diagnosis at the hospital in Bay City.

The Crisp Point Light Historical Society was glad to give some long overdue recognition to Jacob Harry Gibb and hopes to be able to continue their grave marker program for former Keepers. To date, Joseph Singleton and Harry House have been recognized for their service with grave markers, in addition to Mr. Gibb. For more information on how to make a charitable contribution to the Crisp Point Light Historical Society, please visit their website at http://www.crisppointlighthouse.org.

4 A USLHS Service marker was placed at the grave site of Harry F. House on August 20, 2016. Due to heavy rains the cere- mony was shortened and almost completely canceled to a later date. Thank you to Mark House for helping with the ar- rangements and placing the plaque.

Harry F. House was a Second Assistant Lighthouse Keeper at Crisp Point Light from 1915 to possibly 1920 (unfortunately we are unsure of the exact dates of his service). He started his US Lighthouse Service career at the Station. Later he served at Manitou Island light and on the Poe Reef lightship in Lake Huron, before returning to White- fish Point to serve as light keeper about two years prior to his death (we do not have exact dates at this time).

Harry was born on September 23, 1895 at Whitefish Point, MI to Frank House and Jennie Gough (maiden name). Both of his parents were born in Canada. Harry only made it to age 39. He passed away on January 17, 1935 due to tuberculosis at the U.S. Marine Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Funeral services were held at the Vanderhook Funeral Parlor in Detroit.

He was laid to rest in the Whitefish Point Cemetery.

5 Tower Restoration Replaced 1600-1700 bricks Painted White Tower, Red Top, and Underside of Black Railing Outside

6 Break Wall Project 5.5 Semi Loads of Rock!

In August there was a poll on Face- book to let us know what stein styles and color of Sunset Hills Stoneware you liked best. Pictured to the right are the winners! The color of the glaze is Norther Lights. Merchandise is available through our website: www.crisppointlighthouse.org Ale House Barrel (22oz) $24 Portly Pint (16oz) $22

7 CRISP POINT LIGHTHOUSE EARNS 2016 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF Support Opportunities for EXCELLENCE FOR THE 2ND YEAR IN A Crisp Point Lighthouse

ROW! In addition to the support Crisp Point has been receiv- ing through the E-Bay Giving Fund program, we can now receive support from Amazon.com and the Krog- er Company, Kroger.com.

Whenever you shop at Amazon.com just log into the site using this new web address: www.smile.amazon.com. You will need to select the Crisp Point Light Historical Society as the Non- profit Group you Support and shop as you normally would. For each qualifying purchase a small portion will be directed to the Crisp Point Light Historical So- ciety to help with the restoration projects at Crisp Point.

All the Michigan Kroger Stores with the exception of the Lambertville and Sturgis stores are participating in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. If you have and use a Kroger Rewards Card, you can now sup- Welcome New Members port Crisp Point Lighthouse every time you use your William Bishop—Liberty Center, OH card. Please note Kroger Community Rewards starts fresh every May 1, so you will have to re-sign up each Dennis Crispell—Montrose, MI st April 1 to support the program. If you already have a Bob Keck—Lansing, MI Kroger Card, simply register your card online at Linda & Rick McKinney—Indianapolis, IN krogercommunityrewards.com. The Crisp Point Mark E. Miller—Lansing, MI Light Historical Society Non-Profit Number is: 67149

Maryann Stoddard—Linden, MI If you do not have a Rewards Card please consider Anne Steuer—Reese, MI getting one when you shop at Kroger’s and then reg- Derwin & Debra Vermaat—Cottonwood, ister CPLHS as the Non-Profit you would like to sup- MN port. Bob & Sue Weingartz—Dreyden, MI If you are not already participating in the PayPal Giv- ing Fund when you are selling items on E-Bay please New Lifetime Members consider doing so. Please visit: http:// Fred Carpenter—Tecumseh, MI charity.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/crisp- Heather Johnson—Grand Blanc, MI point-light-historical-society/42940/ to get started Frank & Sue Lada—Paradise, MI selling and supporting Crisp Point Lighthouse. Lark Ludlow—Newberry, MI Visitor Center Donations Jay & Kerry Nieman—Hudson, MI Carol Bennett Sam McKnight Thank to everyone who has helped Crisp Doris Troll Point Light in any way this summer. Janeen Cole Elizabeth Schindler Your support is greatly appreciated. Ladonna Dingledine Lisa Wagoner & Cindy Hale Beth Norris Estate Planning? Please consider Donald Rittersdorf including CPLHS. James Achtenberg Non Profit# 38-3332080

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