Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse

Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse

On a recent trip out east we made a stop at Old Fort Niagara lighthouse.  This lighthouse is located about 15 miles north of Niagara Falls in New York State.  It is on the Niagara River at the south shore of Lake Ontario.  We found the lighthouse on the edge of the parking lot of what is now the Visitors Center for Old Fort Niagara.

The original lighthouse on the site was constructed in 1782 on top of the "French Castle"  In 1872 the current lighthouse was established.  It is octagonal in shape and has a black lantern.  It is constructed of limestone and I found it to be one of the most attractive lighthouses I have visited.

Here is a view of Old Fort Niagara that spans a history of more than 300 years.  At different times in the history of the fort it was held by the French, the British and the USA.  The last armed conflict at the fort was the War of 1812. It was used as a training center for American soldiers throughout both World Wars.  The last army units were withdrawn in 1963.  Today it is held by the Coast Guard.

Old Fort Niagara Postcard
by lighthouseenthusiast

Fairport Harbor Ohio

First View of Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse

We were taking a trip out east and on the way I wanted to stop at a few lighthouses along the way.  The first stop was for the Fairport Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse and we followed the directions that led us to a park along Lake Erie.  The lighthouse was not visible from the park, so I took a trail that led through the dunes and was rewarded with the beautiful sight of the lighthouse as seen in the photo above.  It is a square building with the light tower along the far side.  The lighthouse was constructed in 1925 and is currently undergoing a major makeover.

The photo below is one I took from the beach. I like the way the driftwood in the foreground leads your eye up to the lighthouse.

Here is another view of the lighthouse taken from the other side.  We got to it by driving to the little town of Fairport Harbor where the original lighthouse sits.

Below you see the original lighthouse in Fairport Harbor.
It was first put into use in 1825 and was used until the lighthouse
above was  put into use in 1925.

Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light Card
by lighthouseenthusiast

Pemaquid Lighthouse

Pemaquid Lighthouse Maine

Visiting the Lighthouse

I had seen beautiful photos of the lighthouse at Pemaquid Point and was anxious to try my hand at photographing the lighthouse and the shoreline with the beautiful rocks.  We drove north on Hwy 1 in Maine until we reached the town of Damariscotta.  We then took hwy 130 till we reached the end of the point and Pemaquid Lighthouse.

When we first reached the point the fog was very thick, but I got out of the car and started to explore the grounds.  There were lots of beautiful flowers, an art gallery, a fisherman museum, and beautiful scenery in addition to the lighthouse and keepers house.  It is one of the nicest lighthouse areas I have encountered on my quest to photograph lighthouses.  After my exploring the fog began to lift and I captured the lighthouse from various angles.

The Lighthouse as Seen from the Rocks

One of the great features of Pemaquid Point is the beautiful rock formations.  Leading up to the lighthouse is a "frozen wave" rock formation that reaches down to the end of the point.  I had seen the photos and wanted to capture the rocks leading up to the lighthouse.  What I didn't realize is that the only way to capture that look was for me to climb down the hill on the rocks.  I stood and looked at it for a bit and then decided to go for it.  It was definately worth the climb.  There were lots of little flowers blooming in the cracks of the rocks and the entire scene was wonderful.  The climb was a little scary at first, but then it was not really too hard.

The Lighthouse Structure

The lighthouse stands 30 feet above the ground and 79 feet above sea level.  In clear weather the light can be seen for 14 nautical miles.  The white light flashes every 6 seconds and automatically turns on and off at dusk and dawn.  Winding stairs take you to the top of the lighthouse which is open to visitors.

Stop by my Zazzle store for a wide array of Lighthouse gifts.  Lighthouse Gifts and Photos

Bodie Island Lighthouse

A Photographers View of Bodie Island Light

In my quest to photograph lighthouses, my husband and I traveled to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I had seen photos of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse but was unfamiliar with the other lights that guided mariners along the Outer Banks.

The first lighthouse we visited was on Bodie Island at the north end of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We arrived on a clear August evening so we decided to head straight to the nearest lighthouse. The early evening light was perfect for photographing and I enjoyed walking around the lighthouse and capturing the views from various angles.

The lighthouse was not open to climb, but there was a small museum operated by the National Park Service in the old keeper's house.

I hope you enjoy my photos!

Bodie Island on Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore was the first national seashore in the country. It extends 70 miles from south Nags Head to Ocracoke Island. It covers 30,000 acres.

There are many historic and recreational sites along the seashore. I was particularly interested in the three lighthouses that are located on this national seashore. 

A Bit of History

Bodie Island Lighthouse (pronounced body) is located on the North Carolina Outer Banks just south of Nags Head. Like many of the lighthouses along the coast, this is not the first lighthouse on Bodie.

The first lighthouse built in 1847 was abandoned 12 years later due to it's poor foundation. A second lighthouse was built in 1859 but it was blown up in 1861 by the Confederate troops who were afraid that it would give the Union an advantage in navigation.

The lighthouse we see today was built in 1872 and is near the northern border of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Poster in Bodie Lighthouse Museum

View from Museum Porch

Bodie Island Lighthouse view from Museum Porch

View from Hwy 12 in evening

Looking through the Porch Slats

I am always on the lookout for interesting perspectives of a lighthouse. When we visited Bodie Island I walked all around the lighthouse looking for the best views. I tried some close up and some from distances. I liked this interesting perspective taken through the slats of the back porch of the museum.

A Close Up Shot

Close Up shots become a bit tricky when we are talking about a tall, thin structure. I took this photo from the road leading up to the lighthouse using my zoom lens.

Lighthouses of the Outer Banks

Here is a postcard I made of lighthouses I photographed in the Outer Banks.

Lighthouses of the Outer Banks Postcard by lighthouseenthusiast
Check out other North carolina lighthouses Postcards at zazzle.com

Visit Georgia's Beautiful Lighthouses

Visit These Historic Beacons

I love lighthouses and on a recent trip to the Georgia coast we went on a quest to photograph each lighthouse. I was pleasantly surprised to find several unique lighthouses near the area where we were staying. After further research, not only did I find unique lighthouses but lighthouses that had interesting historic stories. Some lighthouses survived the civil war and others were rebuilt after the war.

One unique lighthouse has a legend of the "waving girl" who greeted vessels for over 46 years. In all I was able to photograph four different Georgia lights and this lens will detail my visit to each of these lights.

photographs by Mary Beth Granger

Tybee Island

State's Oldest Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Tybee Island is Georgias oldest and tallest lighthouse.

The lighthouse is located several blocks off the northern end of Tybee Island. We drove around it several times looking for the right angle to photograph the lighthouse without getting all of the wires and other buildings in the photos. It is a stately looking black and white lighthouse that appears to be very well maintained.

The lighthouse and towers at Tybee Island have had a lot of bad luck over the years. The first tower was built off Tybee in 1733, but it soon collapsed in a storm. The second tower's life was cut short by encroaching seas and a third tower was constructed in 1773. At first these towers only helped navigation in the daylight, since they were not lit. The third tower was lit in 1790. In 1862 the Confederate forces torched the lighthouse to prevent the Union troops from using it. In 1886 a rare earthquake badly damaged the lighthouse. In 1867 the lighthouse was reconstructed using the 1773 structure as a base. It's First Order Fresnel Lens is still in use today.

The lighthouse has undergone several reconstructions during modern times making it one of the best maintained lighthouses in the United States. You can read more of the interesting history of the Tybee lighthouse in the link below under Great Links on Georgia Lighthouses.

Savannah's Old Harbor Light

Guiding Ships through Savannah River

I had read about a light in Savannah harbor that appeared to be more of a giant streetlight than a lighthouse, so I was anxious to see it.

We were driving in downtown Savannah and I was describing the light to my husband while we were at a stoplight. I remembered it was on Bay street and just then I looked up and saw what I thought might be the light. My husband wasn't so sure, but he pulled into the park where it stood and sure enough it was the historic Savannah harbor light.

It is a beacon light that was erected in 1858 to aid in navigation on the Savannah river. It stands 77 feet above the river level and was illuminated by gas. It is a dark green metal and does look like an old fashioned street lamp. I was able to get several photographs of the light. The setting was perfect with the moss hanging off the trees. It seems to fit so well with the character of Savannah.

Cockspur Island

Waving Girl Legend

The lighthouse at Cockspur Island marks the entrance to the south channel of the Savannah River. Cockspur Island is just off the coast from Fort Pulaski and can be seen on the drive between Savannah, GA and Tybee Island.

I could see the lighthouse from the bridge but was uncertain how I would get a good photograph. After some searching we found a small road that led back to an area where I could put on my telephoto lens and capture some great shots of this historic lighthouse.

The first lighthouse was built at Cockspur in 1736 and the current light was built in 1857. Although the lighthouse was right in the midst of a civil war battle it was able to survive the war. Lighthouse Friends details the history of the lighthouse and information on the lighthouse keepers over the years.

One interesting legend of the lighthouse is called the "waving girl". In the legend the lighthouse keepers sister greeted vessels passing the lighthouse with a wave of her handkerchief during the day and by waving the lantern at night.

St Simons Island

The light at St Simons island is 104 feet tall and has a brick keepers house in front of the lighthouse. It is a working lighthouse that along with the keepers house (now a museum) is open to the public. The tower has 129 interior steps. The lighthouse has an interesting history. One lightkeeper was murdered on the grounds when he had an disagreement with his assistant. Another lightkeeper and his wife kept hearing unexplained footsteps in the tower, which sent their dog Jinx into a frenzy. To this day people still talk of hearing strange footsteps in the tower. Read more about the history in the link from lighthousefriend.com in the section Great Links on Georgia Lighthouses.

I enjoyed our visit to St Simons island. It is a nice beach town with a street of tourist and artsy shops. A great place to visit and spend an afternoon!

Cockspur Island Lighthouse Greeting Card by lighthouseenthusiast
Create custom photo note cards at zazzle.com.

Big Bay Lighthouse- a Unique Bed and Breakfast

Wonderfully Unique Experience

If you love lighthouses you might want to consider the ultimate treat for a lighthouse enthusiast, spending some time at a lighthouse bed and breakfast. I have visited many lighthouses and climbed to the top of a few, but I can tell you nothing quite gives you the true lighthouse experience like spending the night in a lighthouse.

We had stayed in a lighthouse in Minnesota and enjoyed the experience so when we decided to take a trip to the UP ( Upper Peninsula of Michigan) I looked into lighthouse bed and breakfasts in the area. I found there were three different ones available: Sand Hills, Jacobsville and Big Bay. Although all three lighthouses looked great we decided to spend two nights at Big Bay lighthouse. It best fit our needs and travel plans.

If you want to enjoy a delightful secluded retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Big Bay Point is a perfect place to stay. It sits high atop the bluffs on a cliff that juts out over Lake Superior. I enjoyed climbing the lighthouse tower whenever I wanted, relaxing in front of the fire in the cozy bedroom, walking the grounds and enjoying the scenery and waking up to a wonderful country style breakfast.

On this page I will share with you some information on Big Bay Point lighthouse and my experience at this delightful bed and breakfast.

all photos are my own-mbgphoto

Experience a Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast

When we arrived at the lighthouse we were met by one of the owners, Jeff, and given an orientation tour of the lighthouse. Jeff showed us around the main floor. In the kitchen we were shown the guest refrigerator to keep any of our supplies and where we could find glasses and ice. In the dining area was a beverage area where we could help ourselves to coffee and other hot drinks and light snacks. The living room area included a cozy sitting area around a fireplace and bookshelves full of books. I noted there where many books about lighthouses and also a lot of travel books.

Jeff told us how to get to the lighthouse tower and we were told we were free to climb to the top of the tower whenever we wished. At the base of the tower there is a sauna which is available to the guests and also a small library. The library has a TV with both satellite reception and DVD's that we could watch. It also has a wide selection of books that can be borrowed or traded.

Next Jeff took us to our room. Our room was on the main floor and was beautifully decorated in lighthouse decorations. It had a queen size bed, a gas fireplace, and two comfortable chairs to sit and read or enjoy the views of Lake Superior from the three large windows. It also had a private bath.

After our tour we felt very comfortable with our surroundings. Jeff then told us that his wife would give a talk on the history of the lighthouse and some information on places to eat and things to do in the area later that day.

Historic Lighthouse on the Bluffs overlooking Lake Superior - background on the lighthouse

At 5 we went to the sitting room to join the other guests to hear about the history of the lighthouse and the area from Linda.

The lighthouse was originally put into operation in 1896. Ships had often wrecked along the shores of the dangerous waters just to the north of the Huron Mountains so the government established the lighthouse at Big Bay Point to help guide the ships. The original 3rd order Fresnel lens filled the entire light room and could be seen by ships from 18 miles away.

Linda gave us information about the keepers of the lighthouse through the years and what their lives must have been like on this remote point. The lighthouse originally was set up as a duplex for a lighthouse keeper and an assistant keeper and their families. There were many children raised at the lighthouse and at one point between the two families their were 14 children.

There was no electricity at the lighthouse until the 1940's so oil had to be brought up to the lantern to light the lamp. Each of the families at their own outhouse on the property.

Enjoy an evening in Spacious Sitting Room

Enjoy an evening in Spacious Sitting Room

Dining Area for Guests - breakfast family style

Linda told us that she and her husband Jeff have been running the lighthouse bed and breakfast for 22 years.

The lighthouse was turned into a bed and breakfast in 1986 and is found on the National Register of Historic Places.

The lighthouse has 7 guests rooms with private baths and some also have fireplaces. There are two bedrooms on the first floor and 5 on the second floor.

Breakfast is served family style each morning from 8-10 in the dining room. The breakfasts we had were wonderful. On the first morning we had raspberry scones, fresh fruit, Florentine scrambled eggs, bacon and biscuits. The second morning we had coconut muffins, fruit and yogurt cups and banana pancakes. There was also an array of drinks, cereals and yogurt available. Everything was delicious!

There are also fresh baked cookies available to snack on throughout the day.

The Bedrooms and Library at Big Bay - beautifully decorated with lighthouse decor

This pretty room has light blue and white colors with lots of lighthouse décor.

Hike along the Bluffs

On our first afternoon at the lighthouse, I took a walk on the trail that goes from the lighthouse along the bluffs of Lake Superior and then circles through the woods back to the lighthouse. It is about 1/2 mile trail that gives you some beautiful views of the lake and bluffs as seen in the photo above.

I was by myself when I took the walk and this photo, but I'm sure if someone saw me it would have been quite comical. I was a bit intimidated by the steep bluffs, so I held on tight to a birch tree with one hand and maneuvered my camera with my other hand to get this photo. I tend to get quite involved in my photography and I could just see myself stepping too close to the bluffs if I hadn't clung to the tree.

View from the Tower - short climb to the top

One of the joys of staying all night in the lighthouse is being able to climb up to the top of the tower whenever you wish. The steps up to the tower ascend from the second floor library room. From there you climb a spiral iron staircase that leads you to the top of the tower. I found the climb to be an easy climb and the view up top to be stunning. In this photo you see the view looking to the east. You see the grounds of the lighthouse and Lake Superior.

I am told that sunrises and sunsets are particularly stunning from up on the tower. Both evenings were too cloudy to enjoy a good show when we stayed so I didn't get that experience. It was also mentioned that seeing the Northern Lights from the tower could be quite spectacular.

View to the West

View to the West

Anatomy of a Murder - takes place in Big Bay

In the 1950's a murder took place in the Lumberjack Inn in Big Bay. This murder became famous when the accused was found not guilty by reason of insanity. That was the first time the insanity plea was used successfully in the state of Michigan. This true story was written in a book by Robert Traver and later producer and director Otto Preminger made it in to a film starring Jimmy Stewart and Lee Remick. It was filmed in the Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay.

Both the Lumberjack Inn and the Thunder Bay Inn are still in business in Big Bay. We had pizza and beers at the Lumberjack Tavern our first night at Big Bay and dinner at the Thunder Bay Inn on the second evening. Both are very popular eating establishments in the small town.

Enjoy the Beautiful Flowers on the Grounds - Springtime in mid June

This Columbine was photographed just after a rain shower.

Big Bay Lighthouse Website - stay a night or a week

Are you ready to book your stay in a lighthouse? The link below provides all the information you need to book your special lighthouse adventure.

Thomas Rock Overlook - nature trails

If you enjoy nature you will love the opportunities at and around Big Bay. This photo was taken at the Thomas Rock overlook which is just a few miles outside of the town of Big Bay. The overlook has a great accessible path that is 1/4 mile long and leads up to the overlook. From here you can see several lighthouses, and a wonderful view of both Big Bay and the Huron Mountains.

There are also several waterfalls to explore in the area. About 6 miles away you will find Yellow Dog Falls and a short distance further down the road will be a trail to Big Pup Creek Falls. These are wonderful plays to explore and you may even see some otters playing near the falls.