Linda’s Monthly, Monday Morning Moaning’s, not quite as catchy, but will have to do.
I am going to step a wee bit away from the ‘local history stories’ I usually try to write, but this is in keeping with the research I am doing, which differently takes me away from local history anyway.
The slow moving, bowed old women is proud of her record. The harbor light is in a glass cupola on the apex of the old house in which she lives, so that she can attend to her work in all kinds of weather without going outdoors. It was different in the ‘old days’ when the beacon stood at the end of a government pier, half a mile from her house, only accessible by a narrow walk with a single rail to hold on to.
As she would remember, the waves crashed over and against the pilings and woodwork of the pier till the timbers groaned and the frail women scarcely keep her footing. She fought her way along, made the stairway and the shelter of the tower, proceeded to fill the great lamp and light it. Then she came down, drenched to the skin, and chilled to the bone. The tornado had increased in fury, the tower wavered and the noise of the wind and water was deafening. She had hardly gotten to the mainland when there was a grinding crash. She looked back in terror to see the great beacon, whirl in an arc through the livid night and fall hissing into the lake. All night she watched the tower above her house praying that no ships would venture into the harbor. In the morning when daylight came, and she went down to the pier to see the ruins that the storm had brought. The beacon tower was gone, as was half the pier, and the shore was covered in wreckage of a structure that had withstood the storms for fifteen years.
That was eighteen years ago, and since Miss Colfax has had only the regular light to look after. She lives in the lighthouse, a strong, square, homelike house, built for the harbor service in 1858. Only the lantern like cupola on the roof distinguishes it from any other cozy country home.
Harriet Colfax served as the keeper of the Michigan City Indiana Lighthouse for 43 year, from her appointment in 1861 until her retirement at age 80 in 1904. Next month, part two, and I will tell the story of Harriet’s life as a lighthouse keeper and how she started in what was usually a man’s occupation.
On that ‘wee note’ till next month on January 3, 2022. Have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year.
Thank you to the Old Michigan City Museum in Michigan City, Indiana for this story.
Thank you for visiting and reading today. Beside to share with your friends using the share button below. If you haven’t already, please enter your email address in the form below to receive my stories by email.
Linda Osborne Cynowa 