Long Island Light Station (LaPointe Light Station): Cultural Landscape Inventory, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service

The 297-acre Long Island, the southernmost island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, includes one of the six light stations found within the Lake Superior archipelago. The cultural landscape is a collection of features remaining from its development as a light station reservation. The island includes three light stations and their grounds: two are currently active and one is abandoned. The active light stations are the Chequamegon Point Light Station and the LaPointe Light Station. The LaPointe Light Station is located along the island’s northern shore in the center of the barrier spit and at the east end of the Light Station Reservation. This light station landscape consists of the light tower, triplex residence, and oil building. The LaPointe Light Station was included in a National Register of Historic Places nomination of the United States Coast Guard Lighthouses and Light Stations on the Great Lakes, listed in the National Register on August 4, 1983. The lighthouses were listed with state level of significance in the areas of commerce, engineering, and transportation with a period of significance spanning from 1832 to 1919. The nomination emphasizes the significance of the light stations under National Register Criterion A, indicating contributions to the understanding of the broad patterns of history related to navigation, shipping, and commerce both on Lake Superior and in the nation; and under Criterion C, as examples of the trends and transitions in lighthouses related to architecture, operations, and technologies. Developments in the structures and technologies used at the Long Island Light Station reservation demonstrate the particular changes in lighthouse design and construction in response to changing requirements of Great Lakes maritime commerce as the volume of traffic increased, routes changed, and the size and speed of ships increased. Overall, the LaPointe Light Station landscape retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Despite minor losses, such as boat docks and concrete walkways, the buildings and structures at the station generally retain a high degree of integrity and are integral components of the cultural landscape. Additionally, the impact of natural alterations in the highly dynamic topography contribute to the character of the landscape. Long Island is considered to be the island most likely to be affected by industrial activity due to its proximity to Ashland, and it is also susceptible to invasive species because of its periodic connection to the mainland. Today, the island’s land use is as Apostle Islands National Lakeshore operated by the National Park Service. The island continues to serve as an aid to navigation, with an automated light tower and radio beacon maintained by the United States Coast Guard.

Long Island Light Station (LaPointe Light Station): Cultural Landscape Inventory, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service

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