Split Rock a proud 100
On July 31 round 5000 visitors shared celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first lighting of Split Rock 
Lighthouse. When a light station was designed for three lighthouse keepers and their families it is a challenge to find room for that many people to visit at one time.
With the help of shuttle busses from the adjoining state park parking lots and from nearby Gooseberry Falls State Park everyone was able to view the beacon lighting and the first-ever fireworks over the lighthouse.
A highlight of the evening was a past keeper reception in the visitor center. Twenty-four past residents, some lighthouse service, some coast guard, some Minnesota DNR and some Minnesota Historical Society employees, met to talk about the lives and experiences that they shared by living in the keeper’s dwellings at Split Rock. 
On the job as a tour guide/interpreter, I enjoyed visiting through out the day with descendants of the second Head Keeper, Franklin Covell. He was the man stationed at Split Rock the longest, off and on from 1913 through 1944.
Most interesting was having the grandson of Keeper Covell in the lensroom of the tower with me. When another visitor asked whether the keepers suffered from exposure to toxic mercury vapor, he told of having been there while the mercury float was being cleaned. He also confirmed my reply that mercury poisoning was not the problem, but that the keepers had other health problems, such as typhoid, small pox, and other things we don’t think about today.
I saw name tags of descendants of Keepers Young and Malone, but did not get a chance to vist.
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Comment by Dave Carlson — August 11, 2010 @ 3:56 am
Very much enjoyed the centennial this past summer. Favorite part for me was having three generations of Pete Young’s decendents there at the same time. The lighthouse is truly a remarkable sight to see, even when the light isn’t lit. Seeing the light along with the fireworks made it even more spectacular. This was also the first time I had seen the light lit. Great job to the staff at Split Rock.
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Comment by Jason Young — October 28, 2010 @ 9:00 am