Split Rock Lighthouse

The following day was Sunday, we couldn't find a church for over 60 miles so we listened to conference talks and drove back down to Split Rock Lighthouse at Two Harbors, MN in the truck since we missed this the day before. We figured it would be easier to hopefully find a spot with the truck than taking the rig, however if all the cars weren't in the RV parking spots, we would have had one the day before!

We were able to secure a parking place right by the front of the visitor center and bought our tickets - $10 each. I was anxious to see why Kim suggested this place. We'd already been to many lighthouses, but this was really fabulous! I later found out this place is so popular and it's the 3rd most photographed place in all of Minnesota.

We got there just as a tour was beginning so we started with that and learned about Split Rock Lighthouse, and how it became one in such a deadly part of Lake Superior. This lighthouse was put into service July 31, 1910 and built as a navigational aid in response to a 1905 disastrous storm that sank or damaged 29 ships on the western side of Lake Superior. Prior to 1924, you could only access the lighthouse via boat. After that, the North Shore Highway was extended past the station. By the 1930s, keepers and their families could live there year round and it soon became a tourist attraction. By 1969, the lighthouse became decommissioned and Minnesota decided to preserve it where now it is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society and the show of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

After the tour, we looked around the lighthouse, the oil house, lighthouse keepers cottages, and fog house. The history was so interesting and the scenery was beautiful. Here are some highlights and photos. This is a big post and contains lots of gorgeous photos. You won't want to miss any of them...especially at the end...

The Lighthouse Outside - This restored 54 foot lighthouse is generally small and not very tall, but because it sits on top of a large cliff, it's light can be seen all the way to Wisconsin on a clear night! The lighthouse plus the cliff is 168 feet high and the general beacon range is 22 miles. 35 lighthouse keepers lived here during the duration of service.

A view of the cottage with the lighthouse and fog house beyond.

The Lighthouse Inside- We were greeted by a lighthouse keeper assistant. The 3rd order, bivalve Fresnel lens of the lighthouse was built in Paris, France by Barbier, Benard & Turene and assembled in the lantern room at the lighthouse. It weighs 6.5 tons assembled! When operated, it makes one rotation every 20 seconds floating on a little layer of mercury. The gears are driven by cables, turning the lend. Every two hours, the weights (like a grandfather clock) have to be cranked back to their starting positions. The light prior to 1940 was kerosene and after, a 1000 watt bulb. The views from the top was amazing!

Fog House Museum Interior - The fog signal blasted 2 seconds long every 18 seconds and could be heard about 5 miles. The sounds was used by air compression powered by a gas engine. It was decommissioned in 1961. This was a place we learned about "The Storm of the Century" and the S.S. Mataafa shipwreck just below us, historic fleets and a map lighthouses around Lake Superior and Lake Michigan - it actually showed the entire great lakes region, but I just showed where we'd been in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. The views out the windows were great!

This ship is where the Mafaata was shipwrecked. Many people dock there and dive to see the ship.

The Keepers Cottages & Gardens - These three identical homes were built for the lighthouse keeper and his two assistants and their families. The wooden barns behind were converted to garages in the 1930s. In 1969, the closest barn/garage burned down (this is the first closest house you see below).

What a view from your front window!

Super cool typewriter! I've never seen one like this before!

A VERY typical photo of Scott

You can see the lighthouse from the front porch

Oil House - The Oil House is just below the Fog House and Lighthouse - across from the cottages. It was built for the storage of gasoline, kerosene and any other flammable or explosive material on the light station that were used to power the beacon. The thick walls and heavy room were designed to contain any explosion and minimize the danger of flying debris in case there was one. In the 1950-1960s when kerosene was replaced by electricity, this building was converted to a paint locker and tool shed.

Views from the Lighthouse - The view didn't disappoint. They were stunning and breathtaking - both looking out and looking down!

Once the touring of the main attractions were over, we went back inside the visitor center to see the exhibits and movie.

After viewing the visitor center and snooping through the museum where we just bought postcards for the grandkids, we went back outside one last time and then exited through the most beautiful lighthouse gates.

We wanted to explore down on the beach as well, so we drove down the road. There is also a foot path that you can walk down to the beach and if you do, you can see the Tram House and Tramway Ruins. Originally, the tram was used as an incline rail system to the boathouse below for supplies, etc. - used before the road was built.