Presque Isle Lighthouse was constructed in 1873 to replace the Erie Land Light as the active aid for navigation. The tower featured a 4th order Fresnel lens, which cast a beam 13 miles out into Lake Erie. A 1 1/2 story attached brick keeper's quarters was also built with the tower, along with a brick oil house, barn, and storage building. The 40 ft. tower was raised to the present 68 ft. height in 1896.
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An electric lamp was added in the 1920s, and later automated in 1962 with an airport-style beacon. The property now serves as the residence of the Presque Isle Park Manager. Presque Isle is french for almost an island. The narrow sand spit peninsula forms the outer barrier of Misery Bay (Erie Harbor). Lake Erie storms have seperated the peninsula from the mainland four times since 1819.
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