MUNISING, MI – Separated from civilization by 12 miles of sand dunes, Michigan’s Au Sable Lighthouse was one of the most remote stations when it was built in 1874.
This week marks the 150th anniversary of Au Sable’s operation. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore honors the brave lighthouse keepers who maintained the lighthouse despite its isolation.
To celebrate the day, the national park will offer tours of the historic beacon on Saturday, August 17, at 2:00 p.m.
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The first warden, Casper Kuhn, and his assistant lasted only two seasons, according to the national park’s Facebook post. This became the norm as a series of wardens came to Au Sable, only to resign after two or three seasons.
“The beacon might as well have been in the middle of the big lake. This isolation was not for the faint of heart,” park officials said, noting that the beacon – originally called Big Sable – was 12 miles from the nearest town, Grand Marais.
The heroes of Au Sable and the main characters of the park’s 150th anniversary celebration are Gus and Mary Gigandet.
The Gigandets arrived in Au Sable in April 1884 and Gus remained there until his death from illness in 1896. With 12 seasons, Gus was the longest-serving goaltender.
After Gus’ death, Mary took over the role of head keeper for the remainder of the season, making her the only female head keeper Au Sable has ever had, according to the park.
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During their tenure, the Gigandets documented their experiences surveying Lake Superior. In an entry dated July 18, 1891, Gus noted that he and Mary were awakened early that morning by the 24 passengers and 40 crew of a ship, the Empire State.
Gus wrote that the passenger boat encountered thick fog and came ashore at the light station at 3:30 a.m.
Gus and Mary managed to accommodate all 64 people in Au Sable until they could be picked up by other ships in the next few days.
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As part of the anniversary tour, the national park has put together a limited edition Junior Lighthouse Keeper program with Gus as the main character.
Visitors should carpool and arrive early for the afternoon memorial ceremony. Parking is limited at the Hurricane River Day Use Area. The park warns against parking on H-58 or walking to the lighthouse.
Staying in Munising? Plan your trip at www.munising.org.
