Copper Harbor Front Range Light: Guiding Ships Through History

Shining a Light on Copper Harbor

Perched on the rugged shores of Lake Superior, the Copper Harbor Front Range Light has played a vital role in guiding mariners safely through one of Michigan’s most treacherous harbor entrances. The original Copper Harbor Lighthouse illuminated the general harbor area. Unfortunately, it could not safely direct ships through the narrow rock-strewn channel. This need led to the construction of the range lights in 1869. This marked a new chapter in maritime safety on Lake Superior.

The Origins of Copper Harbor Range Lights

The first Copper Harbor Lighthouse began operation in the spring of 1849, making it the second lighthouse on Lake Superior. By June 20, 1860, Congress recognized the need for additional navigational aids. Congress appropriated $3,500 for range lights to guide ships more safely. A committee from the Lighthouse Board surveyed the Great Lakes in 1863. After, the War Department transferred part of the Fort Wilkins reservation to the Lighthouse Board. In 1865, the first pair of range lights was constructed using the earlier congressional appropriation.

Initially, the keeper resided in one of the Fort Wilkins buildings transferred to the Lighthouse Service. When the War Department requested the buildings back in 1867, Congress allocated $5,000 for a new keeper’s dwelling. This led to the construction of a six-room, one-and-a-half-story home with a rectangular lantern room atop its lakeward-facing gable. This housed the rear light at a focal plane of 39 feet above the harbor, while a 22-foot-tall front tower stood 450 feet north, its octagonal lantern room guiding mariners through the rocks.

Challenges and Changes Over Time

The front tower faced its share of hazards, including a lightning strike in 1883. Repairs the following year added a lightning conductor to prevent future damage. The station’s oil house initially operated out of a 13-foot-square Fort Wilkins magazine until a dedicated building was constructed in 1912.

Notable Keepers: William Tresise and Charles T. Davis

Among the station’s keepers, William Tresise stands out. Born in England in 1839, Tresise immigrated to the U.S. as a child and later worked in mines on the Keweenaw Peninsula. After being wounded in the Civil War, he returned to Lake Superior and became keeper of the Copper Harbor Range Lights in 1870. Following his death in 1885, 24-year-old Charles T. Davis took over and faithfully served for 45 years. Davis even opened his home to boarders, welcoming visitors for $1.50 a day—a small-town hospitality that gave Copper Harbor a vacationer’s charm.

In October 1923, Davis assisted the crew of the steamer Samuel Mather, which ran aground on Gull Rock. Not only did he provide shelter and food, but he also traveled over snow-covered hills to alert the telegraph office, highlighting the critical role of keepers in maritime safety.

Modernization and Electrification

The Copper Harbor Lighthouse itself was converted to acetylene in 1919, allowing its care to be assumed by the range light keeper. Seasonal operation continued from mid-April to early December, a common practice on Lake Superior. The wooden front tower was replaced by a white steel tower in 1927, and the rear light atop the dwelling was replaced by a skeletal tower in 1964. By 1937, the lights were electrified, eliminating the need for a resident keeper. The dwelling has since been used by the assistant manager of Fort Wilkins State Park.

Reflections from the Keepers’ Logs

Charles Davis’s personal logs provide a window into life at the range lights. On June 24, 1900, he reflected on his children growing up in the home and the uncertainty of the future. Three decades later, on September 30, 1930, Davis recorded his retirement, leaving the station with “best wishes and not much regret”—a fitting tribute to a life spent guiding others safely through the harbor.

A Beacon of History

Today, the Copper Harbor Front Range Light remains a significant piece of Michigan’s maritime history. Its towers and dwelling may have evolved over time, but the legacy of those who maintained the lights—and the sailors they guided—shines on as brightly as ever.

Explore our full collection of Northern Michigan lighthouse stories here

Start planning your trip today and explore the legacy of Michigan’s maritime history!

📍 Explore the Map Below

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.