SKU: 5751

Sherman Wheeler was the station's first Keeper and exhibited the Light for the opening of the 1853 season. The first permanent structures in Tawas Bay were the lighthouse and dwelling. The lighthouse was not built well, nor on a good foundation and showed signs of wear early on. When Captain Olmstead ran his schooner "Dolphin" aground near the lighthouse during a storm he openly blamed the light coming (or not coming) from the lighthouse for the accident. In 1875 it became evident that a new site and a new lighthouse were needed. The new lighthouse was opened for the 1877 season. In 1896 addition repairs and updates were made. In 1905 an old boathouse was fixed up as a temporary dwelling for the assistant. In 1922 a house from town was bought - and moved out to the property of the lighthouse. The lighthouse was automated and closed in 1953. The lighthouse has since been restored to its "turn of the 20th century" appearance and it is now a tourist attraction.

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