St. Joesph Lighthouse

Kimberly Risk, a North Pier Lighthouse docent herself, introduced our speakers for the day, Tess Ulery, a St. Joseph City Commissioner and Kate Ulery, Tessa’s mom. Tessa and Kate have both been integral to resuming the popular North Pier Lighthouse tours since the Heritage Museum closed. 

Kate gave us an interesting history of the St. Joseph Lighthouse. The original lighthouse was established in 1832. A lighthouse was needed due to our shallow harbor and the need to transport the area’s fruits, vegetables and lumber. It was only the 2nd lighthouse built on Lake Michigan, after Chicago’s. Dredging of the harbor started in 1846. A new lighthouse was built in 1859, at the site of the Curious Kid’s Museum parking lot on the Bluff and operated until 1924.

A fog signal building was built in 1897. The current North Pier Inner and Outer Lights were constructed in 1906 and 1907, respectively. The Keeper’s Dwelling was built in 1908 and stlll stands. In 1988, the North Pier Catwalk was donated to the city and then in 2013, the Inner and Outer Lighthouses were donated as well. A $2 million restoration was finished in 2016. It was restored back to its 1932 condition. 

The Heritage Museum did tours of the Lighthouse until it closed its doors this year. St. Joseph Today has now taken over that task and is now offering tours on Saturdays from 10 AM to 7 PM. Tours of the 1st floor are free and tours of the upper floors are $5. Kate says that they have been doing approximately 400 tours every Saturday. Of note, the special Fresnel Lenses that were used for many years in the Lighthouses and were on display at the Heritage Museum, have been saved. Emily Hackworth, SJ City Manager, kept them from going to an out-of-town museum and now they will stay in the city and eventually put back on display. 

If you are interested in the tours or being a docent, you can contact Tess at: [email protected]