Split Rock Lighthouse

1905 A November 28th gale damages 29 ships on Lake Superior.

1907 Congress appropriates $75,000 for a lighthouse and fog signal in vicinity of Split Rock.

1910 Split Rock light station is commissioned and completed.

1910-1928: Orren "Pete" Young serves as head keeper.

1916 Elevated tramway replaces original hoisting engine and derrick.

1924 Lake Superior International Highway is completed past Split Rock Lighthouse. First tourists visit site by car.

1928-1944 Franklin J. Covell serves as head keeper.

1932 Fog signal gas engines are replaced by diesels.

1933 Lighthouse tenders make last visits to Split Rock Light Station.

1934 Tramway is dismantled. The station receives a truck to haul supplies. A second assistant is hired as the designated laborer and truck driver.

1936 Fog signal siren is converted to a diaphone (two-tone, rather than single tone).

1939 Lighthouse Service is absorbed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

1940 Split Rock receives electricity. Incandescent oil vapor lamp in lighthouse is replaced by 1,000-watt bulb. Lens rotates by electric motor, and fog signal operates by electric motor.

1942 U.S. Coast Guard is taken over by U.S. Navy for balance of World War II. Lightkeepers become "commanding officers."

1947-1961 Robert E. Bennetts serves as the last civilian keeper.

1961 Fog signal discontinued.

1969 Split Rock Light Station is decommissioned. Site is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1971 Site becomes part of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

1976 Minnesota Historical Society takes over administration of the Split Rock station site.

1980 Historic site area is expanded from 7.6 acres to current 25-acre size. Restoration of the head keeper's dwelling is completed.

1986 Visitor Center opens.

Today The Minnesota Historical Society continues to carry out the dual goals of preservation and interpretation of Split Rock Light Station.