St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Light, Twin lighthouses in St. Clair County, United States.
The St. Clair Flats Front and Rear Range Light are twin lighthouse structures in Lake St. Clair that guide vessels through the waterway near the southern tip of Harsens Island. The two towers work as a paired navigation system, helping boat captains stay on course through this busy shipping channel.
These navigation aids were built between 1855 and 1859 to mark a crucial passage for ships traveling through the Great Lakes. The structures reflect the growing importance of inland shipping during the industrial expansion of the 1800s.
The lighthouses represent the evolution of maritime navigation systems in the Great Lakes region during the nineteenth century industrial expansion period.
Both towers can be viewed from the water, though they are difficult to reach by land since they sit in the middle of the lake. The best views come from a boat or from Harsens Island on clear days when the structures are visible from a distance.
The rear lighthouse still holds remnants of a two-story keeper's residence that was partially demolished in the 1930s. These remains offer a rare glimpse into how people once lived at this isolated location to maintain the lights around the clock.
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