Duluth Harbor North Pier Light, Navigation lighthouse at Duluth Ship Canal, United States
The Duluth Harbor North Pier Light is a navigation beacon at the entrance to Duluth Ship Canal in Minnesota. This cylindrical steel and cast iron tower stands about 11 meters tall at the end of a concrete breakwater protecting the canal mouth.
This light station became operational in 1910 after the SS Mataafa shipwreck in 1905 revealed the need for better navigational aids at the canal entrance. The disaster prompted improvements to maritime safety infrastructure in this busy shipping corridor.
This navigation aid holds significance in the region's shipping heritage and marks the entrance to a major waterway. The structure stands as a visible reminder of the area's reliance on maritime commerce and safe passage through the canal.
The structure sits at the end of a concrete breakwater that extends from shore, making it visible from land without needing water access. Weather conditions on the lake can be unpredictable, so visitors should check conditions before heading out to view it from nearby areas.
The original fifth-order Fresnel lens made in France was removed from the tower and is now displayed at the Lake Superior Marine Museum. This optical device was crucial to how lighthouses functioned before modern electronic systems took over.
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