1887 – Grosse Isle Range-lights, Detroit River, Michigan.—Ballard’s Reef, on the east side of Grosse Isle, and in the main channel of Detroit River, is a dangerous obstruction to navigation. A private light has been maintained for some time on the outside of Ballard’s Reef, to the great advantage of the commerce of the river. The Board is of opinion that it is necessary to the safe navigation of Detroit River that range-lights should be established on the upper end of Grosse Isle and $7,000 is estimated as the amount needed, which it is recommended be appropriated for this purpose.

1888 – Grosse Isle range lights between Fighting Island and Lime Kiln Crossing, Detroit River, Michigan.—The following recommendation was made in the Board’s last annual report: Ballard’s Reef, on the east side of Grosse Isle, and in the main channel of Detroit River, is a dangerous obstruction to navigation. A private light has been maintained for some time on the outside of Ballard’s Reef, to the great advantage of the commerce of the river. The Board is of opinion that it is necessary to the safe navigation of Detroit River that range-lights should be established on the upper end of Grosse Isle and $7,000 is estimated as the amount needed, which it is recommended be appropriated for this purpose.
An act has been passed authorizing the establishment of this aid to navigation, but no appropriation has been made for doing the work. The Board, therefore, renews its recommendation for this purpose.

1889 – Grosse Isle range-lights, between Fighting Island and Lime Kiln Crossing, Detroit River, Michigan.—Congress, by act approved March 2,1889, appropriated $7,000 for the establishment of range-lights here. A site for these ranges was selected, and steps were taken to obtain title. It is proposed to expend $350 in converting the keeper’s old dwelling and the cook-house, on Mamajuda Island, recently purchased, into a dwelling for the assistant keeper of these ranges.

1890 – Grosse Isle Range lights, between Fighting Island and Lime Kiln Crossing, Detroit River, Michigan.—Congress, by act approved March 2, 1889, appropriated $7,000 for the establishment of these range-lights. The site was selected and purchased and the title papers were approved. The keeper’s old dwelling, which was replaced by a new one on Mamajuda Island in 1866, was moved from the northwest corner of the island and placed lengthwise in front of the north end of the cook house, and both structures were placed upon stone piers two feet above ground and repaired. A stoop was built on the east face of the cook house. Plans are being made for the foundation and tower of the proposed ranges.

1891 – Grosse Isle Range, Detroit River, Michigan.—Two lens lantern lights, April 20, 1891.

1891 – Grosse Isle Range Lights, between Fighting Island and Lime Kiln Crossing, Detroit River, Michigan.—Contract was made for furnishing all the materials and labor necessary for the construction of the two timber foundations to receive the equilateral triangular towers. Contract was also made for furnishing two skeleton towers, one 107 feet and the other 77 feet in height. The towers are composed of columns, sockets, struts, and tension rods framed in the form of a triangular pyramid. Each tower has a triangular foundation plate which is bolted to the timber foundation. The top section of the side facing the channels, for which the towers are the guide, are provided with horizontal slats and an oblong gridiron 12 by 15 feet in plan, to increase the visibility of the ranges by day. The light, a five-day lens lantern, which runs up and down the ladder in the plane of the structure, is housed by day, and at night is hoisted to its place at the apex of the triangle by machinery and counterpoise weight, worked in a small cubby house. The lights are 1,493 feet apart, and mark the range line for running the main channel of the Detroit River from Lime Kiln Crossing to a point southerly of Mamajuda light. The front light is 71 feet above mean low water and the rear light is 103 feet. The keeper’s dwelling is located on Mamajuda Island. Minor alterations and improvements were made to the dwelling and a supply of water was obtained from the river. The store of the seine house at the southwest corner of the island, which was converted into a boathouse for Mamajuda station, was arranged to accommodate the keeper’s boat for the ranges; walks were laid around the dwelling and leading to the boathouse. A circular iron oil house, of 360 gallons’ capacity, was delivered on Mamajuda Island by the tender, and will soon be erected. The oil house is intended for the use of both Grosse Isle range and Mamajuda light-station. The vessel men say that the ranges well serve the purpose for which they were intended.

1892 – Grosse Isle Range, between Fighting Island and Limekiln Crossing, Detroit River, Michigan.—The ranges were made more conspicuous as day marks, and the cubby houses were changed to a position where they better protect the illuminating apparatus when lowered.

1894 – Grosse Isle south channel range, between Fighting Island and Limekiln Grossing, Detroit River, Michigan.—Various repairs were made to the illuminating apparatus, and a new lens lantern with modified reservoir was substituted for the one previously used. Repairs were made to the roof, walls, and chimneys of the keeper’s dwelling. This range is at the water’s edge, near the swampy lands extending north from Grosse Isle.
The following recommendation was made in the Board’s last annual report: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1895 – Grosse Isle south channel range lights, Detroit River, Michigan.—The iron rear beacon was blown over on September 3,1894, and was completely wrecked above the second lower section. A temporary wooden tower, 78 feet high above the base, was erected without discontinuing the light, which was displayed at various heights as the work progressed. The lights were shown from the temporary structure 79 feet above the river level. The upper two sections of the front beacon were then removed, the target was lowered correspondingly, and the focal plane of the light was fixed at 56 feet above the water level. New beacons were erected upon the same foundations, enlarged by the driving of four additional piles at each. The beacons were sufficiently advanced in construction to permit the display of both of the lights of the range from the beacon lanterns in 1895 on the opening of navigation. These wooden beacons are square, pyramidal, inclosed, with a gallery below the lantern, and surmounted by an octagonal lantern having three panes of glass and a copper roof. The focal planes of the lights are 30 and 50 feet, respectively, above the mean level of the river. Repairs were made to the lanterns and burners used in the range beacons.
The following recommendation was made in the Board’s last two annual reports: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1896 – Grosse Isle (south channel) Range lights, Detroit River, Michigan.—The following recommendation was made in the Board’s last three annual reports: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1897 – Grosse Isle (south channel) Range lights, Detroit River, Michigan.—Various repairs were made.
The following recommendation was made in the Board’s last four annual reports: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount he appropriated for that purpose.

1898 – 288. Grosse Isle (south channel) Range lights, Detroit River, Michigan.—Various repairs were made.
The following recommendation was made in the Board’s last five annual reports: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1899 – Grosse Isle (south channel) range, Detroit River, Michigan.— The following recommendation, made in the Board’s, last six annual reports, is renewed:
A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose, but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1900 – Grosse Isle (south channel) range, Detroit River, Michigan.—The following recommendations, made in the Board’s last seven annual reports, is renewed: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose, but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1901 – Grosse Isle south channel range, Detroit River, Michigan.—The following recommendation, made in the Board’s last eight annual reports, is renewed: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose, but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1902 – Grosse Isle, south channel range, Detroit River, Michigan.— On the opening of navigation in 1902 the color of these lights was changed from white to red to make them more easily distinguished from the many white lights in the background and neighborhood.
Embankment and walk: A contract dated May 29,1902, was made for throwing up a mud embankment between and around the beacons of this range, and laying thereon a plank walk, the work to be completed by December 1, 1902.
Note.—The contractors began dredging July 4, 1902.
The following recommendation, made in the Board’s last nine annual reports, is renewed: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose. 1902 - Grosse Isle South Channel Range Lights.—Two fixed white lens-lantern lights, shown from square white pyramidal inclosed wooden towers, with a gallery with black hand rail at the top of the square part, and surmounted by an octagonal lantern having three sides glazed and a copper roof. Front tower 30 feet and rear tower 50 feet high. The upper 25 feet of each tower is covered with white slats, and the lights are exhibited 14 feet below the tops of the structures.
Front Light on crib at the north end of Grosse Isle. Mamajuda lighthouse, N. E. by N.
Rear Light on crib 1,493 feet N. by W. 1/2 W. from the Front light. The range leads from the center of the Lime Kiln Crossing cut, and clears a small patch of bowlders a little above the cut. The range line is 150 feet to the westward, of the Fort Malden Range lights, and intersects the range of Grassy island and Mamajuda Island lights 1 1/4 miles below Mamajuda light.

1903 – Grosse Isle south channel range, Detroit River, Michigan.—The following recommendation made in the Board’s last ten annual reports is renewed. A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. He is now living in a dwelling on Mamajuda, which is not only unsuitable for the purpose, but is too far away. It is deemed dangerous for the keeper to live on the side of the channel opposite to the lights. A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1903 – Grosse Isle South Channel Range, Detroit River, Michigan.—A mud embankment and plank walk between the two beacons of this range were built. The embankment, which is about 20 feet wide and 4 feet above mean lake level, extends from one beacon to the other, its axis coinciding with the range line. The work included filling in the area under and around each beacon to the same level as the embankment and leveling of the top, which is circular in form and has a diameter of about 40 feet. The material was dredged up from the easterly side of the embankment. This part of the work was completed on July 25, 1902, and left for settlement before grading. The grading has now been done and the plank walk is laid along the axis of the embankment and steps are built leading to the beacon foundation. Some 100 cords of riprap stone were placed on the south end and east side slopes of the embankment between the two beacons. A boat landing was built at each beacon. Various repairs were made.

1904 – Grosse Isle south channel range, Detroit River, Michigan.—The keeper’s dwelling, an old house, with its outhouses, was moved from their previous location on Mamajuda Island, across the Wyandotte channel of the Detroit River, a distance of about 1 ½ miles, and located about 100 feet northwesterly from the front beacon. A walk was built from the dwelling to the embankment, with steps up the bank connected with the walk between the beacons. Some 960 tons of riprap stone were placed on the slopes of the embankment connecting the beacons, and earth was filled in behind. A square iron oil house was erected.
The following recommendation made in the Board’s last eleven annual reports is renewed: A new dwelling is needed for the keeper of this range. * * * A proper dwelling can be built on a foundation partially in the water for not exceeding $5,000, and it is recommended that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.

1905 – Grosse Isle south channel range, Detroit River, Michigan.—A pipe was laid about 3 feet deep leading through the embankment from deep water in the channel, a distance of about 200 feet, and connected with the kitchen pump. The earth thrown up by the dredge was placed around the dwelling, raising the grade about a foot. Some 40 tons of riprap were placed on the embankments between the beacons. Various repairs were made.

1906 – Grosse Isle south channel range, Detroit River, Michigan.—The keeper’s dwelling has been raised 3 feet, the muck soil beneath was removed and replaced with new earth. A boathouse was built. Some 50 tons of riprap stone were placed on the embankment between the beacons to protect it from damage by water and ice. Various repairs were made.

1908 – Grosse Isle South Channel range, Michigan: The dwelling is now dilapidated and insanitary and needs extensive repairs to put it in tolerable condition, but in the opinion of the district engineer the building is not worth repairing. The Board therefore recommends that a new dwelling be erected at this station.

1912 – Grosse Isle, South Channel Range front light, was changed to a flashing red acetylene light of about 750 candle power, showing one flash every three seconds. The rear light of this range was changed to an intermittent red acetylene light of about 750 candle power, every two seconds.

1916 – Grosse Ile South Channel Range Lights. On June 15, 1916, the color of structures supporting the Grosse Ile South Channel Range Lights was changed. The back and side portions of each tower are now brown, while the color of the front side of each tower showing on the range remains white.

1917 – Grosse Isle South Channel Front Range Light, Detroit River. The arc of visibility on Grosse Isle South Channel Front Range Light was increased November 15, 1917. The light is now visible entering Wyandotte Channel from above Point Hennepin and throughout the lower end of Wyandotte Channel.

1933 – Wyandotte Light Station, Mich. Consolidation of Grassy Island North Channel Range and Grosse Isle Light Stations. The site in Wyandotte has been purchased, plans for the dwelling, boathouse, etc., are complete, and lighting equipment for Grassy Island Range has been purchased, also a steel tower has been fabricated and the necessary dredging done. Cost to June 30, 1933. $8,834.

1934 – Wyandotte, Mich. The keepers’ dwelling and boathouse have been built. Project completed. Total cost, $20,960.

Keepers: Joseph F. Crawford (1891 – 1898), Charles D. Northrup (1898 – 1912).

Modern range lights continue to mark this range today.

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