Group leading fund drive to preserve South Haven lighthouse

Published: Saturday, December 18, 2010, 11:22 PM
By Chris Killian | Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette


SOUTH HAVEN — A local historical society is leading the effort to save the South Haven Pierhead Lighthouse, a landmark that no longer guides ships but is as synonymous with this small lakeshore town as its white beaches and towering dunes.

The Historical Association of South Haven has begun an extensive application process to take ownership of the lighthouse from the U.S. Coast Guard. Three weeks ago, the association began collecting pledges to repair the interior of the 37-foot tall lighthouse, which opened in 1903.

So far, about $25,000 has been pledged, said Ed Appleyard, treasurer of the association. Preliminary engineering studies show repairs to the interior of the lighthouse — which has significant corrosion damage — will cost about $300,000, he said.

“It’s been a modest pledge drive so far,” he said.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

To pledge money for the South Haven Pierhead Lighthouse, visit the Historical Association of South Haven’s website at: www.historyofsouthhaven.org and click “Lighthouse Acquisition Pledge,” or mail in a pledge to the Historical Association of South Haven, P.O. box 552, South Haven, MI 49090.

The application to the National Parks Service is due Jan. 28, at which time the association would like to have $30,000 pledged, Appleyard said. The application requires information on restoration plans and planned uses for the structure. The association also must show there are funds committed to keep the lighthouse from going into disrepair.

If the association is granted ownership of the lighthouse, the city of South Haven has said it would partner with the group to provide funds to maintain the structure,
Appleyard said. The transfer of ownership would be at no cost.

The catwalk and pier that lead to the lighthouse are owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and would not be a part of the transfer of ownership.

The lighthouse for decades guided Great Lakes ship captains. But the development of modern navigation technology, such as global- positioning systems, has meant such lighthouses are no longer needed, according to the Coast Guard.

In the past 50 years, ownership of 77 lighthouses in Michigan have been transferred from the Coast Guard to public or private entities.

The association is getting about $1,000 pledged every day from groups and individuals, with donations ranging from a few dollars to nearly $1,000, Appleyard said.

“It’s a piece of us,” he said of the lighthouse, which appears on everything from city letterhead to the covers of tourism publications. “It’s a symbol of this area.”
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