Presque Isle Lighthouse
The Presque Isle Light, historically nicknamed the “Flash Light”, is a lighthouse on the shore of Lake Erie in U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is one of three lighthouses in Erie, along with the Erie Land Light and the North Pier Light. The lighthouse is situated on the northern shoreline of Presque Isle State Park overlooking the beach. The lighthouse became active on July 12, 1873 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The Presque Isle Light is 68 feet tall with a focal height of 63 feet. Originally, the tower was only 40 feet tall before it was raised to its current height. It has a light characteristic consisting of a 6-second, white isophase light (3 seconds on, 3 seconds off) that is visible up to 15 nautical miles from the lighthouse. Up until August 2013, a backup, emergency light was mounted below the main beacon that would flash every 10 seconds at a “reduced intensity” if the main beacon was non-operational. Around the same time as the removal of the emergency light, the main beacon was replaced with a six-tier, light-emitting diode, Vega marine beacon.
The lighthouse tower is attached a four-bedroom residence used by the lighthouse keeper. The whale oil and, eventually, kerosene necessary to keep the lighthouse illuminated for the entire night was stored in the room at the base of the stairs leading to the lantern room. For safety reasons, the rest of the fuel was stored in a shed located elsewhere on the property. After it was electrified, the oil room became the storage room for the batteries powering the light.
On July 25, 2014, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources transferred the Presque Isle Light, in a 35-year lease to a nonprofit organization charged with restoring and operating the lighthouse as a museum. The lighthouse was reopened to the public for tours in the summer of 2015. Renovations will see the 1989-additions, as well as most of the modern amenities, removed to return the lighthouse to its appearance in the late-1800s and early-1900s.
Where it is:
The Presque Isle Lighthouse is located in the Presque Isle State Park in Erie Pennsylvania.
From the intersection of Interstates 79 and 90 near Erie, go north on Interstate 79 5.6 miles to its end at 12th Street. Turn left on 12th Street, travel 1.1 miles, and turn right on Peninsula Drive (Highway 832). Follow Peninsula Drive 5.6 miles onto Presque Isle Peninsula and into Presque Isle State Park where you will see the lighthouse on your left.
Links:
GPS:
42°9’57.378″ N 80°6’55.734″ W
Hours:
Presque Isle is a day-use park that provides year-round recreational opportunities.
Open for the season
Open daily: 10 am to 5 pm from mid-April through August, and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in September and October.
Online Shop open 24/7
Grounds open during operational hours only.
Cost:
Presque Isle Lighthouse Tower Climb
$8, Free for members
Includes self-guided access to house and grounds
Available every 20-minutes, no reservation required
Must be 44″ tall to climb
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