Eagle Harbor history

The light is of the fifth order, fixed white and varied by flashes, and is distinctly visible twelve and a half miles.The first piers were built by Edward Taylor, the pioneer settler of Eagle Harbor, in 1844, and a small log warehouse was erected with the ground for a floor.

He arrived at Copper Harbor the night Doctor Houghton was drowned and laid to there four days on account of the memorable storm of October 13, 1845, which deprived the copper region of its most able and accomplished explorer.

Lake Superior’s unreliable disposition meant that passing ships needed navigational assistance, and in 1851 the original lighthouse was built.

Another structure was erected and additions made, a part of which was also burned, January 17, 1852, the frame dining-room and kitchen being saved from the devouring flames by the most strenuous efforts and the favorable turn of the wind.

Foley Bros. & Co. have been established in general merchandise since 1854.

Charles Kantz and moved to its present location, in 1855, to give room for the large building afterward destroyed by fire.

68, I.O.O.F., instituted at eagle Harbor, in October, 1859, with F. Hopkins, formerly an member of No.

A two-story warehouse had been erected and filled with grain and provision for the winter supply, in 1860.

He is also keeper of the Harbor light.Joseph Dahn established in 1867 - hardware and tinware.

The wooden tower which supported a fourth-order Fresnel lens illuminated by an oil lamp soon deteriorated, and in 1871 it was replaced by the present red brick structure.

During these early times, intemperance ran riot when parties of miners congregated there, and fights and brawls were matters of frequent occurrences.Eagle Harbor was opened with a channel thirteen and a half feet deep, in 1877, and is a fine refuge for vessels, except in a severe northeast wind.

MR. Cocking has been in trade since 1879, carrying $2,000 in general merchandise.

Connor's house and George Rice's house now stand. It was purchased by James Rasewarn, its present proprietor, and has been kept by him since June, 1881.The principal merchants are Foley Bros. & Co., Stephen Cocking and Joseph Dahn.

In 1895 a fog signal was added.

On May 1925, Walter L. Bean first sold lots in Eagle Harbor under a big cherry tree.

The Citizens Association was organized in 1927.

Eagle Harbor was incorporated on March 8, 1929.

(Photo: Care has been taken to decorate the inside of the lighthouse, including the parlor shown here, in a 1930’s style, when electricity first arrived at the lighthouse.)

In 1948, the Citizens Association appointed a building committee which purchased 2,000 cinder blocks for $225 and Mr.

In the 1980's a major renovation was made to the town hall and water and septic services were added.

Since 1982 the Keweenaw County Historical Society has maintained four museums at the light station.

In 1999, Congress transferred ownership of the Eagle Harbor Light Station to the Keweenaw County Historical Society.

In 2007 the center was completely renovated and a spacious rear deck was built overlooking the Patuxent River.