Monroe Pier Lighthouse, photo courtesy Archives of Michigan

This photo of the Monroe Pier light on Lake Erie in the city of Monroe was taken somewhere around 1859. Here’s another shot of Monroe Lighthouse c. 1900 with what looks to be a Mackinaw boat from the HAL Digital Lighthouse Collection. There is incredibly little information about the Monroe Pier Lighthouse, so I have to assume that it’s long gone. Anyone know anything more?

The Monroe County Library has an article titled The Lighthouse Keeper in their very cool Bygones of Monroe with some recollections of and insight into the life of a lighthouse keeper:

“Uncle” Peter Gussenbauer keeps the government lighthouse at Monroe Piers. For fifteen years he has tended the great light that has served as a beacon to incoming yachts and steam craft, or as a guide to the merchant boats passing up and down Lake Erie between Toledo and the upper lake regions. One expects to find the average seafaring man gruff in his manners, and little inclined to the companionship of land-lubbers. But not so with “Uncle” Peter, for he has become famous for his genial hospitality and his courteous bearing toward the hundreds who visit the lighthouse during the summer months.

They have another item marking the passing of Uncle Peter and a whole lot more great historical clippings including a bit of bragging about the poundage of Monroe’s menfolk.