A History of Overcoming Challenges When the need for shipping increased in the 1820’s, so did the need for navigational aids along the eastern part of Historic . In response, the first in Michigan was built in 1825. Unfortunately, the location was too far down the St. Clair River channel, was poorly constructed, and collapsed within a few years. In 1829 the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse was built farther north on , where it Fort Gratiot still stands today. The lighthouse faced challenges when the Grand Trunk Railroad came to the area, as mariners confused lights from Lighthouse the trains as the lighthouse. To remedy this, the Lighthouse Service installed a variable light. When electricity came about, the traditional white light was replaced with the green continues to beam with pride light, which shines today. The Coast Guard maintained the Station until 2004, when they built a new station nearby. The county felt the old site Not many park and recreation departments host a lighthouse, but was a perfect fit as a park, so in 2010 the Light Station was St. Clair County Parks has the unique distinction of becoming the proud transferred to the county. After research and restoration, the new owner of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, one of the most treasured site opened as a park in 2012. landmarks on the . Perfect Partnerships One of the many partnerships that make the Station so The 183 year old lighthouse is part of the Fort Gratiot Light Station, five successful is between St. Clair County and the Port Huron acres of former United States Coast Guard Station property. The Museum. The county owns the property and is responsible for the upkeep of the buildings and maintenance of the property was transferred to St. Clair County Parks in 2010, making it the grounds; the Museum handles programming, tours, newest county park host to the oldest lighthouse in Michigan. operation of the gift shop and special events.

The Light Station is a national historic landmark, located in Port Huron Another key partnership is the Friends of Fort Gratiot Light, overlooking Lake Huron and the . The property also who host events on the grounds with proceeds going toward houses a Fog Signal Building, a former Coast Guard Station, an programming and restoration of the site. Equipment Building and two Keeper’s Dwellings, all built between 1874 A Common Bond for All Generations and 1932. There is also a modern garage and a National Oceanic and The lighthouse is one of the icons of St. Clair County, so there Atmospheric Administration gauge building. was huge support from the community for the county to accept the property and make it available to the public.

By: Renee Armstrong “Grounds are open to the public at no cost and tours of the lighthouse are available for $5,” explains Mark Brochu, Director of St. Clair County Parks and Recreation. “The Fog Signal Building is used as a gift shop and ticketing for tours. As part of the tour, participants may go through the Light Keepers Duplex. This building is used for overnight programming by the Port Huron Museum for youth groups [who come] from all over Metro Detroit and spend the night there.” TOP RIGHT: Taken between 1932 and 1940, this Not only does the lighthouse appeal to all ages, but it image shows the Single Keepers Dwelling bonds the younger generation with their parents and (building on left with white door, built in 1932), grandparents. “Students come to the lighthouse and enjoy the Keepers Duplex (larger building, built in it so much that they go home and tell their parents,” says 1874) the lighthouse (built in 1829) and the Fog Brochu. “Parents and grandparents are intrigued, so they Signal Building (far right, built in 1900). make a family trip to see what it’s all about. It’s a great way to infect the younger generation with an appreciation of MIDDLE AND BOTTOM RIGHT: Damage to the the history of their community.” lighthouse was being caused by water infiltration into the 182-year old brick, which With coastline covering the eastern border of the county, would freeze and cause the bricks to crumble. maritime history has dominated the history of the county. The outer layer of brick was replaced as part There is a significant effort to build on potential tourism for of the lighthouse restoration (about 30,000 St. Clair County. bricks total).

All photos courtesy of St. Clair County Parks continued on next page... 12 MRPA PROfessional • Volume 5, Issue 1 • 2013 and Recreation Commission MRPA PROfessional • Volume 5, Issue 1 • 2013 13 Historic FORT GRATIOT LIGHTHOUSE CONT. Norwalk Concrete Industries “ have a huge following and draw people to the wayside because of the economy, so we’ve had to be community,” says Brochu. “It’s a very popular choice of day creative in finding sources. There is a lot of support for Quality Precast Since 1906 trips. We see out of state license plates almost every day.” lighthouses in Michigan, so there is still a lot of opportunity out there. Community support for the project Precast Concrete Restroom/Concession Buildings A Unique Landmark has been phenomenal.” The property is unique compared to other county properties since it is a national historical landmark. A Community Icon The importance of the lighthouse to the community is “It’s a historic site, but it is a park,” says Brochu. “You can stressed in many different ways, including its feature within wander the grounds and there are opportunities for the City of Port Huron seal. recreation and leisure. It is an honor to be entrusted with a property like this, and it’s also a challenge.” “The lighthouse can be seen from the international crossing, the Blue Water Bridge,” says Delor. “You see the Any improvements made on the property have to comply beacon literally calling you to come visit it.” with the Historic Structures Report, which serves as a blueprint for any changes to the property or buildings. The strength and visibility of the lighthouse in the community have played a very important role. “If there is a repair or improvement, it needs to go to the State Historic Preservation Office, which signs off that it “Port Huron was a very industrial city and those days are complies with the Report,” explains Brochu. “Any gone for the most part, so the city has had to reinvent restorations done on the property must restore the itself,” said Delor. "We’ve seen the fruits of that labor in appearance to the 1930’s.” the short time it has been open. The lighthouse is drawing in people.” Dennis Delor is the Special Events Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator for the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation As word is getting out, there has been a lot of media Commission. enthusiasm and buzz on the internet about the lighthouse. Inquiries are coming in from all over the state and from “The Commission is based off of a millage, so we had to find other parts of the country. a balance between preserving and maintaining the many other properties that the county has,” said Delor. “There is a lot of nostalgia and romanticism about lighthouses that other places don’t have,” says Brochu. They found that balance by aggressively seeking grants. “People will travel wherever the road will take them to see a Most of the money that has been used on the site has come lighthouse.” almost entirely from grants. For more information about the Fort Gratiot Light Station call (810) 982-0891 or visit www.fortgratiotlightstation.org. “Our strong partnerships come into play here again,” says 80 Commerce Drive Norwalk, Ohio 44857 Delor. “There is a combination of people that work to get Renee Armstrong is a freelance writer and graphic designer. She can grant money - park staff, museum staff, Friends of The Fort be reached at [email protected]. www.nciprecast.com Gratiot Light and others. Many grants have gone to the 800.733.3624

MRPA Hall of Fame Class of 2013 Register Today to Get Outside & Play! The MRPA Hall of Fame provides recognition for professionals and special individuals who have made Get Outside & Play at the Capitol June 18, 2013 in Lansing outstanding, unique, lasting, and extraordinary contributions though recreation and park services in Michigan. Join MRPA, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, USTA Midwest, the MDNR and the Michigan NCLI Coalition as we celebrate June as No Child Left Inside Congratulations to the 2013 Class of the MRPA Hall of Fame: Month and July as Parks and Recreation Month. Melvin George Bailey Theodore D’Pulos Ron R. Reinke “Get Outside & Play at the Capitol” provides a variety of games and activities Jeffery T. Coupie Geraldine Jackson John William (Bill) Rhodes for your day campers, while giving MRPA members an opportunity to share Gertrude (Trudy) Cross Jon Kipke Louis F. Twardzik the parks and recreation story with Michigan’s state legislators. Learn more and register your day campers today at www.mrpaonline.org. The Hall of Fame is on permanent display at the Summit on the Park in Canton, Michigan. A group of individuals is inducted to the MRPA Hall of Fame every other year. Thank you 2013 sponsors: Save the Date! The 2013 MRPA Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at the Summit on the Park in Canton. Visit www.mrpaonline.org/HallofFame to learn more.

14 MRPA PROfessional • Volume 5, Issue 1 • 2013