St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan

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St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA

Amid dusky hues, lighthouses mark where Lake Michigan meets the St. Joseph River in the state of Michigan, USA. In the 19th century, two piers were built on Lake Michigan, one either side of the mouth of the St. Joseph River to help protect ships sailing upstream. In the early 20th century, a lighthouse was built at the end of each pier. These were the St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, pictured here. The lighthouses were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. A two-story catwalk connects both lighthouses above the pier to the shore. Michigan has over 150 lighthouses, the most of any state in America.

The origin of lighthouses stretches back in antiquity to beacon fires on hilltops, the first of which were documented in the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey.' Wood was used as the illumination source, which continued until 1800. While coal, oil and gases were used, all were eventually replaced by electric lamps in the early 20th century.