Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ Skillagalee Lighthouse and Island ~
(Aux Galets Light)
~ PUBLICLY SPEAKING ~
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Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
21 August 2019
Header Photo and Photo Below of Skillagalee submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis
Header Photo and Photo Below of Skillagalee submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis
Skillagalee Island (sometimes called Isle-Aux-Galet) is a low lying Lake Michigan island
located between Beaver Island and the mainland,
about 10-12 miles northwest of Cross Village in Emmet County, Michigan.
The name means "flat rock island" and is pronounced Skilly-ga-lée.
In 2014, shipwreck diver Ross Richardson, documented a cluster of shipwrecks
near Skillagalee Island.
In the summer of 2015, the federal government was taking bids on the Skillagalee Island lighhouse... stating:
"The 52-foot white octagonal Skillagalee lighthouse, built in 1886,
is located on an island barely larger than a couple football fields.
The island, formally named Isle Aux Galets, is home to a large population of seagulls but little else."
located between Beaver Island and the mainland,
about 10-12 miles northwest of Cross Village in Emmet County, Michigan.
The name means "flat rock island" and is pronounced Skilly-ga-lée.
In 2014, shipwreck diver Ross Richardson, documented a cluster of shipwrecks
near Skillagalee Island.
In the summer of 2015, the federal government was taking bids on the Skillagalee Island lighhouse... stating:
"The 52-foot white octagonal Skillagalee lighthouse, built in 1886,
is located on an island barely larger than a couple football fields.
The island, formally named Isle Aux Galets, is home to a large population of seagulls but little else."
1851 ~ LIghthouse was established on the tiny island of Skillagalee...
Seven miles North-West of Cross Village, Michigan
The current structure dates from 1888 and was listed 19 July 1984 on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Seven miles North-West of Cross Village, Michigan
The current structure dates from 1888 and was listed 19 July 1984 on the
National Register of Historic Places.
1878 ~ Schooner Peshtigo Collision between Skillagalee and Beaver Island
1883 ~ Comparison of Waugoshance and Skillagalee Fog Horns
1884 ~ Seeking Skillagalee Lighthouse Help
1887 - Skillagalee Lighthouse Dangerously Cracked
1901 ~ Skillagalee Keeper and Assistant Drown
1924 - Skillagalee Lighthouse Keeper Louis Belongea Retiring After 22 Years
1931 - Grey's Reef Crew Rescued Skillagalee Crew
1941 - View of Lighthouses from Cross Village
1941- Rocky Island named Isle Aux Galet
Quoted from Where Michigan Began A Guide to Emmet County, Published 1941: Cross Village offers a wide view of Lake Michigan. Directly west is the Beaver Island group. In the foreground is the rocky island named Isle Aux Galet by the early French and mispronounced 'Skill–i–ga–lee; by the indians and many modern sailors who are guided by the light house there. Northwest from Cross Village is Grey's Reef, where a lightship swings at anchor during the season of open navigation. Directly east of the lightship and north from Cross Village is Wau–go–shance Islands. A Lighthouse, erected here during the Civil War, was abandoned in 1912. Strangely, the name of this lighthouse too, was much abused in its pronunciation by the sailors of the Lakes, who called it Wau–gee–shank or simply The Shank. It is believed by some that the spelling of this old French name as it appears now on maps is a corruption of the original. Records, however, vary. Regardless of names and their corruption, the view from the bluff at Cross Village is one that should not be missed by the visitor..."
1947 - Keeper Dan Backus Returned to Skillagalee Light
1948
1952 - Dr. Bates' Family Shipwrecked Near Skillagalee
1954 - Motor-Sailer, Iolanathe, Pulled Off the Rocks at Skillagalee
1956 - 81 Foot Freighter "White Swan" Stuck on Reef Near Skillagalee
1957 - Lighthouse Keeper Daniel A. Backus Died after 31 Years in Service
1969
1969 - Skillagalee Lighthouse Ceased to Function
The lighthouse was operated from about 1851 until 1969 when the Fresnel lens was retired.
Only a tower remains in the middle of the island after a Coast Guard crew razed the other structures...
keeper's dwelling, fog signal building, oil storage shed and boathouse.
Only a tower remains in the middle of the island after a Coast Guard crew razed the other structures...
keeper's dwelling, fog signal building, oil storage shed and boathouse.
2010 - Artist Keeps the Skillagalee Lights On
2014 - Diver Uncovered Wrecks Around Skillagalee
2015 - Skillagalee Light Up For Auction
2015
Bill Collins, CEO of Light Keepers Preservation Inc. won the bid on 22 September 2015 at the close of the auction for the Skillagalee Light. This was Bill Collins' third lighthouse after acquiring the Liston Rear Range Light in Delaware and the Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse in Michigan in 2013. Collins has a Facebook page to update on any restoration... search for "Ill Aux Galets Light".
21 August 2019
Three Photos Below submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis
of Harbor Springs, Michigan
Three Photos Below submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis
of Harbor Springs, Michigan
Click HERE for additional information about the Skillagalee Light written by Terry Pepper.