![]() ![]() ![]() In addition to the lighthouse lamp, she had to venture out each evening in a rowboat to light the pier lights. Later the lighthouse had a long pier constructed with different sort of lights, situated on the east and west ends. She had to keep up with technology, learn new skills and do more than before (sound familiar?). Later a brass side was affixed to block the light beaming into town.Īs for many of us, time tends to change things and for Harriet Colfax she was not untouched. The lens Harriet used shone 15 miles and was so bright the local children had trouble falling asleep. A Fresnel lens is constructed of compact curved glass, in which just a candle flame is magnified and can project its light for miles. There are two Fresnel lenses one is so rare they are required to maintain a $350,000 insurance policy to keep it on display. Incredibly, they have one of the five life masks of President Lincoln. Arrowheads of stunning craftsmanship abound, mixed in with detailed miniature ship models. The museum also has a vast collection to satisfy any history buff or hobbyist. To reflect upon her repeating this night after night for 43 years was humbling doing this until age 80 was mind-blowing. Up the straight steel ladder she would proceed in placing the oil to keep the lamp burning. Once she made it to the attic, she again had to climb up higher to reach the Fresnel lens. Viewing the steep and narrow staircase, which each evening, Harriet balanced herself with no handrails, dressed in petticoats, carrying a lantern in each hand. I encountered staff members, Jim Retseck and Karen Rueter, who were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and gracious. This past fall, when visiting the Old Lighthouse Museum where Harriet served, it still stands proudly in Michigan City. She knew there were lives out on the lake in the deep dark searching for her light, so reliable, that ship captains nicknamed it “old faithful.” Then she would return to the kitchen to warm the oil on the stove, and retrace her steps, bringing the heated oil back to the lamp. ![]() Sometimes the weather was so cold, she would need to stay up through the night in case the oil congealed and the flame went out. Narrowly escaped being swept into the lake.” On May 28, 1873, Harriet wrote: “A terrible hurricane to-night at about the time of lighting up. Her journal provides insight to the perils of violent storms, and bitter winters, balanced by beautiful sunsets. Harriet was enlisted with the Coast Guard and considered a veteran. This position reported to the Coast Guard, which required her to document daily duties. At the time, she was one of the very few female lighthouse keepers in the country. He served as Speaker of the House and may have suggested to Lincoln her appointment. Lincoln may have been involved with Harriet becoming the lighthouse keeper at the Michigan City Light. Harriet was single and in her thirties, with low prospects of supporting herself. His death also may have impacted her finances, without a main provider in the family. Harriet likely was devastated when he died at the young age of 26. Harriet Colfax worked as a typesetter at her brother’s newspaper. His paper expressed views of the Whig Party, which later evolved into the anti-slavery Republican Party. Richard became the owner of the town’s only newspaper. As a young lady in the early 1850s she ventured to Michigan City, Indiana, along with her younger brother, Richard Colfax. ![]() Harriet Colfax was born in 1824 in Ogdensburg, New York. What made this humble figure extraordinary? Modest Background While our country was busy with the Civil War in 1861, Harriet, age 37, was doing her part to protect ships, sailors, and travelers at one of the country’s most dangerous waterways at Michigan City, Indiana, a port town situated on Lake Michigan. While this was extraordinary, Harriet was ordinary, with recollections of her being petite, frail, and lacking experience for this rugged job. At the time of her retirement in 1904, she was renowned as our nation’s “oldest and most reliable lighthouse keeper,” having served 43 years, until age 80. Ever noticed the word extraordinary contains the word ordinary? Let me share with you “ordinary” Harriet Colfax. ![]()
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