A Boy’s Love for Fishing
Like many nine-year-old boys, Bill Robinson loved to fish. One day, he took his father’s lantern, grabbed his pole and worms, and walked downriver from White Haven to the mouth of the White River. This river flows into Lake Michigan. It was just after the Civil War, and the sand felt cool under his bare feet as the sun set.
Next, he lit the lantern and hurried to a good fishing spot by the river’s mouth. As it got darker, he heard lumber schooners and their crews moving slowly towards the river’s mouth. Suddenly, a voice shouted, “Haloo, where’s the mouth?” Bill replied, “In here sir, just to my left.” Two lumber schooners appeared, drifted into sight, and quietly disappeared into the darkness towards White Lake and the docks upriver.
“They didn’t even say thank you,” Bill thought as he continued fishing. However, he was out there again the next night and many nights after that. Over time, he became well-known to the captains of the lumber schooners he guided.
Building the Lighthouse
In 1870, the U.S. decided to build a new wooden pier connecting White Lake with Lake Michigan. This would create a deep water channel for bigger ships. As part of this project, a lighthouse and a lifesaving station were also planned. The schooner captains sent a petition to the federal government asking for William Robinson to become the first lighthouse keeper. This was a dream come true for Captain Robinson. The lighthouse had oil lights at both the end of the pier and the tower, and it also had a double deck for walking safely during storms.
Improvements Over the Years
Soon, Ryerson Steel of Muskegon started working on the lighthouse. They built the winding staircase that led to the tower using Lake Superior stones. In 1915, electric lights replaced the old kerosene lights. By this time, Robinson’s son had taken over as lighthouse keeper. Later, in the 1940s, Robinson’s grandson, William Bush, became the lighthouse keeper.
During the 1940s, a concrete pier replaced the wooden one. Then, in 1970, the lighthouse was bought from the U.S. Government for $6,250 with donations from residents of Sylvan Beach. Today, the lighthouse is cared for by Fruitland Township and the park commission. While the lights at the end of the pier still guide many sailors home, the main lighthouse beacon no longer shines.
Interactive White Lake History
As we deliver articles weekly, I challenge you to be curious, explore the local area, and take pictures at these historic locations, and tag CatchMark Community.
Next week we will explore Sprague’s Corners or Wheat – A Ghost Town. If you enjoy history and like our content please like and subscribe to our online resources. Also, check out the White Lake Area Historical Society website listed below.
http://www.whitelakeareahistoricalsociety.com/
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