If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a lighthouse, you’ve probably dreamed of a trip to the Duluth harbor, where you can check out one of the state’s most historic lighthouses. But before you go to Duluth, you should know a few facts about the city’s lighthouses. You can also visit the Minnesota Point Lighthouse, which stands two miles away. Although it doesn’t look like much, its tower was the first high-powered lighthouse on Lake Superior.
Duluth Canal Park is home to two lighthouses. These two structures sit parallel to each other along the canal, near the Aerial Lift Bridge. These are the most well-known lights on the lake, and they are still active aids to navigation. While they’re not open to the public, you can walk to them and enjoy the sights and sounds they give off. If you’re not into the history of lighthouses, you can simply gaze at the photos.
The 1937 light stands to starboard for inbound traffic. It stands 49 feet tall and flashes red with a range of 12 miles in clear weather. The lighthouse’s historic building sits on two concrete piers, and includes a four-by-six-foot storage room. The beacon was automated in the 1970s, so special handling of mercury was required. The lighthouse was also struck by a ship, which required substantial repairs and refurbishment before it could return to service.