Grand Marais Harbor Light, photo by James Marvin Phelps.

I looked for a winter lighthouse photo … I hope it reminds us all to be thankful for summer’s warmth…

The Grand Marais Light page from Terry Pepper says:

“Big Marsh” is the direct translation of the French “Grand Marais.” While the name was given by Voyageurs in the early seventeenth century, many subsequent observers were puzzled, since no marshes have ever been known to exist here. However, it is believed that the Voyageurs had their own unique vocabulary, and it is likely that “Marais” referred to a cove, or harbor of refuge.

…While the fur trade declined, lumber camps began to spring up along Superior’s south shore, and Grand Marais soon found itself in the center of a lumbering boom, with stacks of lumber on its docks awaiting the arrival of vessels to carry the forest’s bounty to the southern lakes.

With the associated increase in maritime traffic through the late 1870’s, the absence of a safe haven for mariners coasting the treacherous waters between Whitefish Bay and Grand Island became a matter of grave concern to maritime interests. Deducing that the natural harbor could be modified to serve as an excellent harbor of refuge, the Army Corps of Engineers embarked on an ambitious harbor improvement project at Grand Marais in 1881. Work continued over the following ten years, with the construction of a 5,770-foot timber pile breakwater stretching across the bay from Lonesome Point to a dredged channel at the western shore. Two protective piers were constructed on each side of the channel, and the protected harbor area dredged to a depth of 40 feet, allowing access to the protection of the harbor by the largest vessels of the day.

There’s much, much more at the link above (including historical photos). Also see The Grand Marais Lifesaving Station on Michigan in Pictures.

Check this out biggerand in James’ Grand Marais slideshow. You can purchase a print right here!