Detroit River Lighthouse, photo by James Marvin Phelps (mandj98).

The Detroit River Light, also known as Bar Point Shoal Light, was first established as a lightship in 1875. In his writeup of the Detroit River Light at boatnerd.com. Dave Wobster says:

Completed in 1885 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at a cost of $78,000, the Detroit River Light replaced a Canadian lightship that had served since 1875. The light was first exhibited August 20, 1885. Located near the end Bar Shoal which projects from the Canadian shore, in Lake Erie just south of the entrance into the Detroit River. This is the point where up bound vessels make the turn into the Detroit River.

The 49-feet high cast iron plate tower is 22-feet in diameter at the base and 18-feet at the top. It was built on a pre-fabricated 45′ x 18′, crib that was transported to the site from Amherstburg, Ontario, sunk in 22-feet of water, filled with concrete and surrounded by a granite pier.

The light station pier has the appearance of a vessel, with the pointed end directed toward the mouth of the river to break ice flows coming down river.

Click through to read about how the light handled an impact from the 635′ freighter Buffalo and see an aerial shot that shows the unique shape at Wikipedia’s Detroit River Light entry.

Check it out bigger or in James’s Detroit River set (slideshow) where you can also see a side view of the lighthouse. This is also for sale as a print from James.

View many more Michigan lighthouses from Michigan in Pictures.