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HISTORY OF
THE
1905 KEEPERS HOUSE
On April 28, 1904, Congress approved
$5,000.00 for construction of an additional residence for the 1870
assistant lighthouse keeper and his family.
On April 27, 1905, the U.S. Lighthouse steamer Amaranth came into North
Bay and commenced
unloading material for the new dwelling. Mr. Jerome Louzon, who was in
charge of the project, and his construction crew were also brought
up from Alpena on the steamer Amaranth. The construction
commenced mid year. An Alpena firm
produced the cement block used for the exterior. Construction
was completed in September / October 1905. It was then decided
that the head keeper and his family
would live there.
Thomas Garraty was the first lighthouse keeper to live in the 1905
house. He was a bachelor and his sister Kathryn lived with him.
In 1911, furnace and boilers were added.
In 1935, after 50 years of service, Thomas Garraty and his sister
Kathryn retired from service at the new lighthouse (1870). Elmer
Byrnes was transferred from the Point Iroquois Light Station (Lake
Superior)
and was appointed Keeper. Elmer moved his wife (Me) and three
children (Betty, Nan & Robert) into
the 1905 house.
In
1940, electricity and plumbing were added. One of the bedrooms was
converted into a bathroom.
In 1970, the light was automated by the U.S.
Coast Guard, which eliminated the need for a keeper on site.
This was the first time the complex was left unmanned in 100
years.
In 1973, the grounds were leased to Presque Isle Township and used
as a park.
Three different families lived in the 1905 house until the
property was deeded to Presque Isle Township.
On June 16, 1998, ownership of the property
was transferred to Presque Isle Township from the Bureau of
Land Management.
May 1999, Restoration began on the
1905 keeper's house.
STRUCTURE DETAILS
The main exterior structure of the 1905 house is cement block. The
interior is plaster on lath with maple floors. The wood used for
the woodwork is unknown at this time, but the best guess is that
it is Douglas
fir or a close relative. Paint samples were removed from the
walls, analyzed and the exact colors were identified. The interior
walls are painted the original 1905 colors. The original roof was
replaced with a
metal roof around 1995.
With many hours of volunteer labor donated by
members of the Presque Isle Township Museum Society,
the 1905 house has been completely restored back to its original
appearance. Restoration was completed
in
July, 2005.
Prepared by: Judy Kimball - Historian
and Jerry Cameron, June 2008 |
