{{short description|Lighthouse in Michigan, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox lighthouse | image_name =Port Austin Reef.jpg | location= Port Austin Reef, {{convert|2.5|mi}} north of Port Austin, Michigan (Port aux Barques Township) | coordinates = {{coord|44|05|N|82|59|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | yearlit = 1878 | automated = 1953 | foundation = Brick, cement, crushed stone | construction = Brick | shape = Square | height = {{convert|60|ft}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/towers.htm |author=Pepper, Terry |work=Seeing the Light |title=Database of Tower Heights |publisher=terrypepper.com |access-date=2009-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000918211817/http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/towers.htm |archive-date=2000-09-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | focalheight = {{convert|76|ft}}<ref name="navcen.uscg.gov">{{cite uscgll|7||106}}</ref><ref>{{cite rowlett|miel}}</ref><ref name="terrypepper.com">[http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/portaustin/portaustin.htm Extensive history of the Port Austin Lighthouse] at Seeing the Light by Terry Pepper.</ref><ref>''But see'', based on the 1910 Coast Guard light list, a claim that the Focal plane as {{convert|80|ft|m}}. {{cite web |url=http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/focalheight.htm |author=Pepper, Terry |work=Seeing the Light |title=Database of Focal Heights |publisher=terrypepper.com |access-date=2009-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830100452/http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/lists/focalheight.htm |archive-date=2008-08-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | lens = Fourth order Fresnel lens (original), {{convert|300|mm|order=flip|adj=on}} Tideland Signal ML-300 acrylic<ref name="terrypepper.com"/><ref>''But see,'' [http://www.michiganlights.com/portaustinreeflh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Port Austin Reef Light.] which claims a {{convert|200|mm|order=flip|adj=on}} glass optic.</ref> (current) | range = {{convert|8|nmi}}<ref name="navcen.uscg.gov"/> Other sources claim {{convert|16.5|mi|nmi km|order=flip}}<ref name="terrypepper.com"/> | marking = Buff square tower with attached house w/red roof.<ref name="navcen.uscg.gov"/> | characteristic = White, every 6 seconds.<ref name="navcen.uscg.gov"/> | module = {{Infobox NRHP | embed = yes | name = Port Austin Reef Light | added = September 15, 2011 | mpsub = Light Stations of the United States MPS | refnum = 11000666<ref name=NRHP>{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2011-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf |title=Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 9/12/11 through 9/16/11 |date=September 23, 2011 |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> }} }}

'''Port Austin Lighthouse''' (or '''Port Austin Reef Light''') is a lighthouse off the shore of Lake Huron, about {{convert|2.5|mi}} north of Port Austin, Huron County Michigan sitting on a rocky reef (shoal), which is just north of the tip of the Thumb and a real hazard to navigation.

==History== thumb|left The original plans were for this lighthouse to be built on shore. The crib was built in Tawas.<ref>[http://www.lighthousecentral.com/lighthouse_gallery.php4?lighthouse=Port%20Austin%20Reef%20Light Lighthouse Central, Port Austin Lighthouse Photographs, History and Directions, ''The Ultimate Guide to East Michigan Lighthouses'' by Jerry Roach] (Publisher: Bugs Publishing LLC - July 2006). {{ISBN|0-9747977-1-5}}; {{ISBN|978-0-9747977-1-7}}.</ref> {{stack|thumb|}} The light was first lit in 1878, and its pier was modified in 1899. It is still operational and is automated. The foundation materials are a pier, and the tower is constructed of yellow brick, with buff markings. It is an octagonal, {{convert|60|ft|adj=on}} tall tower, with an attached keeper house. However, the focal plain is {{convert|76|ft}}. It originally had a fourth-order Fresnel lens by Henry Lepaute of Paris and installed in 1899. The optic was {{convert|300|mm|order=flip|adj=on}} glass. In 1985 the lens was replaced by a 12-volt solar-powered Tideland Signal 300&nbsp;mm acrylic optic,<ref>[http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/closeups/illumination/acrylic/300mm/300mm.htm Tideland 300 mm optic, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.]</ref> which eliminated the need to maintain the submarine cable.<ref name="terrypepper.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lighthousedepot.com/database/uniquelighthouse.cfm?value=522 |title=Lighthouse depot on Port Austin Light. |access-date=2008-02-23 |archive-date=2005-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050116151736/http://www.lighthousedepot.com/database/uniquelighthouse.cfm?value=522 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Current status and activities== In 1990, volunteers from the Port Austin Reef Light Association engaged in an "heroic effort" to oust a colony of seagulls that had taken over the building, and then screened and reroofed it. Restoration efforts continue.<ref>[http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPECIAL01/80519001 Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.]</ref> Decking has been covered with galvanized metal shingles, and painted in the bright red that is historically accurate. Railings were affixed to the access ladder, and safety chains edging the deck were replaced. Installed also were a new brick chimney and 18 new windows. In 1990, PARLA's license to renovate the structure was extended through 2020.<ref name="terrypepper.com"/>

Current restoration continues by the Port Austin Reef Light Association.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portaustinarea.com/directory/view.php?id=97&page=0&cat=9&subcat=0&subsubcat=0 |title=Port Austin Reef Light Association. |access-date=2008-02-23 |archive-date=2011-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715104815/http://www.portaustinarea.com/directory/view.php?id=97&page=0&cat=9&subcat=0&subsubcat=0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The light is not open for tours.<ref>{{cite uscghist|MI}}</ref> It is a long and difficult trip to the light, which is always hindered by the reef, and often by the fog.<ref>[http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=172 Description Port Austin Light] at lighthousefriends.com</ref> However, it is possible to photograph the lighthouse from shore, although it takes a long lens or digital zoom.<ref>[http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronW.htm Interactive map, list, information for lighthouses in North and West Lake Huron.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425092921/http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronW.htm |date=2008-04-25 }}</ref>

The light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 2011.<ref name=NRHP/> The site includes adjacent bottom lands.<ref>[http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/Lighthouses/lighthouse_detail.php78.htm Michigan Lighthouse project, Port Austin Reef Light.]</ref> A two-story on shore lighthouse keeper's house still exists.<ref>[http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/portaustin/pt-austin05.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Photography of Port Austin Lightkeeper's house.]</ref>

In June 2011, the General Services Administration made the Port Austin Light (along with 11 others) available at no cost to public organizations willing to preserve them.<ref>{{cite news|title=For sale: Waterfront property; cozy, great views, plenty of light, needs TLC|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/for-sale-waterfront-property-cozy-great-views-plenty-of-light-needs-tlc/?hpt=hp_t2|access-date=12 July 2011|newspaper=CNN|archive-date=15 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715183812/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/for-sale-waterfront-property-cozy-great-views-plenty-of-light-needs-tlc/?hpt=hp_t2|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Beatty|first=MaryAnne|title=GSA Making 12 Historic Lighthouses Available at No Cost to Public Organizations Willing to Preserve Them|url=http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/286133|work=GSA Website|publisher=US General Services Administration|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622054934/http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/286133|archive-date=22 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On July 19, 2012 it was announced that the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse Association, a Michigan non-profit organization, will take ownership of the Port Austin Light Station on Lake Huron.

==See also== *Lighthouses in the United States

==References== {{reflist|33em}}

==Further reading== * Baranski, Connie. "The Port Austin Reef Lighthouse." Central Michigan University Term Paper, 1970. * Port Austin Reef Lighthouse journal, 1909-1917.

==External links== * {{commons category-inline}} * {{ARLHS link}} * [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/portaustin/portaustin.htm Extensive history of the Port Austin Lighthouse] at Seeing the Light by Terry Pepper. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184757/http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/GL/HuronW.htm Interactive map of lighthouses in the Thumb/Lake Huron area.] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080425092921/http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronW.htm Interactive map, list, information for lighthouses in North and West Lake Huron.] * Michigan.gov website has a [https://web.archive.org/web/20080114191657/http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_mhc_shpo_lightmap_50933_7.pdf Map of Michigan Lighthouses]. * {{cite uscghist|MI}} * [http://www.uscg.mil/history/sarindex.asp U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Index] * [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Huron/PortAustinReef.htm Wobser, David, Port Austin Reef Light] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907144904/http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Huron/PortAustinReef.htm |date=2008-09-07 }} at Boatnerd.com.

{{Lighthouses of Michigan}} {{National Register of Historic Places listings in Huron County, Michigan}} {{authority control}}

Category:Lighthouses completed in 1878 Category:Houses in Huron County, Michigan Category:Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan Category:National Register of Historic Places in Huron County, Michigan Category:1878 establishments in Michigan Category:Lighthouses of Lake Huron Category:Transportation in Huron County, Michigan