Fort Gratiot Lighthouse was originally constructed in 1825, and is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan. The original light was not built to government specifications, and utilized shoddy materials. The tower collapsed only a few years later in 1829, and a sturdier tower was built. The original keeper, George McDougal, spent much of his personal savings trying to keep the poorly constructed station habitable. The basement flooded often, and it lacked a root cellar for food storage.
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The tower's height was increased in 1861, and still serves it's function today as an active aid to navigation along the mouth of the St. Clair River. The 82 ft tall tower is a thick-walled conical stone structure, overlayed with a brick veneer and painted white. The red brick keeper's quarters and fog signal building still exist nearby. The light was automated in 1933, and is now part of the Port Huron US Coast Guard complex. The tower is open for climbing only a few times a year.
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