Split Rock Lighthouse Weblog

At Christmas, when our kids were little, they were sure that Santa would find our house because it would be one of his first stops for him because it was right on his way and so close to the North Pole.  In their twenties now, our kids have come to realize that they did indeed grow up in a special place.  The early lightkeepers and their familes had to leave Split Rock in the winter.  Beginning in the 1930’s, with the coming of the North Shore highway, the keepers and their families were allowed to stay year round.  Those children have related to us how thrilled they were to be able to stay through the winters.

With a blizzard and lake effect snow in the forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year it will be a good time to hunker down and enjoy the sights and sounds of Lake Superior.  Then, after the storm settles, it will be time to get out and clear the paths, check all the buildings on the light station, and refill the bird feeders.

I thought that this would be a good time to share some winter photos at Split Rock Lighthouse, a time when when the hectic pace of summer is replaced by a blanket of new snow.

Happy Holidays

After a mellow November and start to December the first big storm has marched in off the plains and hit the Midwest and the Lake Superior with a wallop.  Only 4-8 inches of snow along the North Shore for this one but so far northwest winds have held steady at up to 42 mph and some big waves are building out on the lake.

A century ago, by late November of  1909, the construction crew working on the light station had left the rock for the winter.  They would return in May of 1910 to complete the lighthouse and install the Fresnel lens. 

Our plans for the 2010 centennial celebration will continue throughout the winter.  Keep and eye on the Split Rock Lighthouse website for updates to events next summer.