Newly Discovered Images

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Thanks to member/researcher Ryan Krusell for finding images in the National Archives – Washington D.C. and providing thumbnails of some of the more pertinent images.

The images include previously unknown drawings of the 1910 Assistant Keeper’s, new details on the Fog Signal and a copy of the finding aids for additional drawings.

 

 

The Assistant Keeper’s drawings are particularly timely as we evaluate the feasibility of restoring the porches.

Thanks again, Ryan!

 

Kudos Kathy!

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Kudos to South Fox Island board member Kathy Sanders, winner of the Traverse City 2023 Sara Hardy Humanitarian of the Year Award for her work with Before, During & After Incarceration (BDAI), a non-profit that supports inmates and their families. Active in many other human rights organizations, she finds time to wield a paintbrush and cook fantastic meals as a Fox Island volunteer—we are all proud of her, and grateful that she includes our “little island” among her many interests.

Mid-Season Report

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President Linda Posler reports: “South Fox has already seen some major improvements this summer:

– Eric Schawbitz (on the island with Cathy A and Linda) did a yeoman’s job of moving the rocks from in front of the  boathouse, cleared the pathways, groomed the boat landing, and prepared a pad for the solar installation
– The carpenter team (led by Jim) has installed a new roof over the AK doorway and constructed and installed solar equipment box, national heritage sign, new lattice, and cleared grounds around the oil house for better views of the station
– The painting team (led by Kathy S) has painted the exterior of the Summer Kitchen and the parlor in the 1867 lighthouse, while Mark Lee finished the interior tower wall restoration and repaired masonry walls and stairs around the property
– The keeper team (led by Pete) repaired and painted the flagpole and clothesline posts and improved grounds
– The solar team (led by Marty) has installed the solar system and we have an energy source! A light in the summer kitchen! (and thanks to team member, Dan, a restored backdoor!), and found, repaired, and installed the front screen door on the lighthouse.
Many thanks to VP Cathy A., who has coordinated all boat trips and purchased necessary equipment to enable these projects to function safely and efficiently, buying everything from propane to a climbing harness to ensure the safety of workers on the skeletal tower. We now also have a functioning water pump and filtration system for cleaning the scum from the first draw of water from the lake up to the summer kitchen–useful for cleaning but still requiring filtration for drinking. “
Photo credit: Barb Falkenhagen

Photo image collection donated

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Carolyn Gale Johnson recently donated a collection of scanned images of the station covering the period of 1977 through 1987. Her family were among the partners who owned much of the island from the mid-70’s through 1989.

We have relative few images from this period so this is a valuable addition to our archives. We’re grateful to Carolyn for taking the time to add to our collection.

South Fox Featured in Recent Beacon

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An article in the Fall 2022 issue of the Great Lakes Lightkeepers Association (GLLKA) publication, The Beacon, documented end of season travails at a number of remote light stations. South Fox was featured prominently in the article including documentation of the one known winter (1899) when the station remained open year round at the request of regional railroad ferry companies.

More information about GLLKA and their member publication can be found at https://www.gllka.org/

This article was republished by the Ottawa County Historic Society in their First Quarter, 2023 newsletter and is available here: https://ottawacountyhistory.org/publications/  Ottawa County, OH is the home of Marblehead Light.

 

 

 

Virtual Annual Meeting – December 12

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Join us for the Annual Season Review via zoom, Monday, December 12, 2022 @ 6 p.m.

Please email Southfoxisland@gmail.com to receive a link.

Fox Island Gear Available Online

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Fox Island T-Shirts, Hats and Burgees are available for purchase at https://www.theshoalshoppe.com/shop-1

 

Season Wrap

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The buildings are now closed up for the season. Grounds remain open to the public during daylight hours. Thanks to all for a good season.

Call for Volunteer Proposals for 2023 Season

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From Linda Possler:

“As FILA Secretary, the Executive Committee has charged me with posting a “call for restoration and improvement project ideas for the light station” for Summer 2023 to interested parties. We will be reviewing project ideas at our September 12th Board meeting.
Please respond to southfoxisland@gmail.com by September 7th with your project ideas; no project is too simple or too large! These can be anything from installing a solar system to re-threading screws. We welcome all ideas and will follow up on all the ideas that we receive–so stay tuned!”
Next summer may seem far away, but our planning cycle, of necessity, begins in fall with the need to get project approvals from the DNR & SHPO, write grants, budget, fundraise, etc.  Thanks in advance for your input.

Fox Island Book now available for purchase online

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A supply of this out-of-print book by Kathy Firestone is now available via The Shoal Shoppe. https://www.theshoalshoppe.com/ It’s really the best book written on the islands and features a chapter dedicated specifically to the history of the light station.

If you aren’t familiar with The Shoal Shoppe, please check them out. They carry a variety of merchandise recognizing the 129 Michigan lighthouses.

They are carrying this book as a fundraiser for restoration on South Fox.