Fog can set in quickly out on the big lake and the Schooner Monguagon went aground off South Fox Island on May 18,1881 in the midst of a thick fog. It wouldn’t be until 1895 that the island fog signal building was authorized and built.

The Monguagon was more fortunate than some, as she got off the shoal after 1,500 bushels of her cargo was jettisoned. She continued on her way to Chicago with the remaining cargo of 20,700 bushels of wheat. The Monguagon was built in 1874 in Trenton, Michigan, and called Detroit her home port. The 301-ton schooner carried a crew of six.

This is “old news” of course. It highlights a typical posting from our current Facebook series where volunteer Kathy Foster has been sharing stories about historic ship wrecks and groundings. Please check out www.facebook.com/southfoxlight to read more of this interesting history.

Our first all-woman volunteer lightkeeper team made the news!

Karen Schenavar of Monroe and Sandra White of South Rockwood are long-time friends and frequent travel partners.

But their adventure in August at South Fox Island Light Station in Leelanau County was more adventuresome than usual, even for those two. South Fox Island is in Lake Michigan about 22 miles offshore; north of the Manitou islands and south of Beaver Island.

…During their stay from Aug. 20-27, this group of volunteers worked on maintenance such as painting the tower and painting the barn. Catherine Allchin, vice president of the Fox Island Lighthouse Association, led the tasks.

White said she enjoyed her landscaping assignment; which included several trips to the lakeshore looking for Milwaukee bricks that washed up that could be used on the grounds. Those bricks were part of a supply shipment to construct the lighthouse; and still can be found intact.

White also discovered a rock bed that no one had previously noticed, the association members will be following up on that site for research.

Read more in the Monroe Daily News and get information about volunteering for FILA.