description Split Rock Lighthouse Overview
The Split Rock Lighthouse stands as a significant landmark on Lake Superior's North Shore. Constructed in 1925, this clifftop lighthouse guides maritime traffic through treacherous waters near Two Harbors, Minnesota. Its historic Fresnel lens remains operational and the site is now maintained as a museum, attracting visitors interested in twentieth-century coastal navigation and preserving this vital piece of American history.
help Split Rock Lighthouse FAQ
When was Split Rock Lighthouse built?
Split Rock Lighthouse was completed in 1910 at a cost of approximately $75,000, built in response to the disastrous 1905 wreck of the steamer Mataafa on Lake Superior. It was decommissioned as an operational aid to navigation in 1969 and is now maintained as a historic site by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Where is Split Rock Lighthouse located?
The lighthouse sits on a 130-foot granite cliff along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, roughly 20 miles northeast of Two Harbors, Minnesota. It is part of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
What kind of lens does Split Rock Lighthouse use?
The lighthouse is equipped with a second-order Fresnel lens manufactured by Barbier, Bernard & Turenne of Paris, France. When operational, its kerosene-vapor light was visible for approximately 22 miles across Lake Superior.
Is Split Rock Lighthouse ever lit today?
Although decommissioned in 1969, the beacon is ceremonially relit every November 10th to commemorate the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975. The lighthouse grounds and museum are open to visitors seasonally through the Minnesota Historical Society.
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