The Ashland Harbor Light Station is being celebrated this weekend for its addition to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore/NPS
A celebration is scheduled for Saturday at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin to welcome a new light station to the National Park System.
The event marks 100 years of light in the Chequamegon Bay. The party, hosted by the City of Ashland, the National Park Service, the Ashland Historical Society and Museum, and the Friends of the Apostle Islands, is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. on the Ore Dock.
“The addition of the Ashland Harbor Light to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore means two great things. It preserves an important piece of history for the benefit of this and future generations of Americans in their national park system," said Apostle Islands Superintendent Bob Krumenaker.
"And since Ashland now has a national park in its front yard, it's a welcome catalyst for the National Park Service and the people of Ashland to work together for the common good. This will be a wonderful event."
The celebration starts opens with a ceremony hosted by Ashland Mayor Deb Lewis. Jan Cameron of the Ashland Historical Society will describe what led to a new Light being built in Ashland in 1915. Richard Mitchell of the Society will speak briefly about the dedication and service of the Keepers. This will be followed by brief remarks from Commander Al Moore of the US Coast Guard, and by park Superintendent Krumenaker.
The half-hour long ceremony will followed with music by Warren Nelson and Friends performing lighthouse and other music from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m., then music by Acoustic Relapse from 7:30-9:00pm.
In 1911, a light station was established to assist with the iron ore shipping. At that time, Ashland had a total of five ore docks. The present breakwater was completed in 1913. The Ashland Harbor Breakwater light station had four official light keepers from 1915 until 1962, when it was automated. Frank Mersy was the longest serving Ashland Harbor Breakwater Light keeper, serving from 1925 until 1947.
Comments
I admit that I have mixed feelings about this and certainly have some questions. Is this an example of "mission creep" in our national parks?
While the lighthouse is certainly worthy of protection, is the NPS the best agency to preserve it? This site is removed quite some distance from the remainder of Apostle Islands. Why shouldn't the city of Ashland or a nonprofit organization such as the Ashland Historical Society tackle the job?
I'd like to know more about the history of this development. Who pushed for this? Was it NPS or was it the city? Was there any Congressional involvement? Is this another example of a local entity finding a way to tap into Federal funds to support a local money maker?
While I love Apostle Islands and old lighthouses, too, I have to question whether this addition to a park system already strapped for dollars is really a wise move or just another example of a Congressperson bringing home the bacon.
Is there anyone out there qualified to answer those questions without subjecting themselves to professional crucifixion?
Lee,
No question this is an unfunded mandate. But in that, it's no different than when the other 6 historic light stations were added to the park by Congress without additional funding in 1986. Over time, we've done pretty well competing for project funding to take care of historic preservation needs at those light stations. I expect the Ashland Harbor Light will be the same. The good news is that it's not in too bad a shape now and doesn't need much work in the short run.
The Coast Guard offered this light up for disposal under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act but no local governments or qualified non profits stepped forward. It would have gone to public auction - assuming anyone would even bid - and there was a good chance that the historic fabric could have been lost forever.
While it's 9 miles from the closest other part of AINL, the park's 22 land units (before this addition) are spread out over hundreds of thousands of acres of Lake Superior. We're used to traveling long distances by boat.
It took unusual bipartisan Congressional action, where conservative Republican Rep. Sean Duffy and liberal Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin got the entire WI delegation (save one) to co-sponsor the bill to transfer it to the NPS. We supported it but so did the local community. People recognized that it's part of a unique collection of historical light stations, the largest group of them in any NPS area, and it was the missing piece in the set.
I don't expect any public use of the inside of the structure for the foreseeable future, though. That would take operating funds the park doesn't have.
Bob Krumenaker, Superintendent, Apostle Islands NL