Saginaw River Rear Range, Michigan
Harbour Lights #375

In 1868, the Lighthouse Board requested a $12,000 appropriation for the construction of a set of Range Lights at Michigan's Saginaw River. Some lighthouse historians believe this was the first place where Range Lights were installed. Despite three years of negotiations, construction had to wait until May 1876, the time necessary to settle title to the land. The Front Range Light had a Sixth Order Fresnel lens, sat at a focal plane of 37 feet, sending its signal 8.5 miles out into the bay. The Rear Range featured a square, two-story structure of Cream City brick integrated into the northwest corner of a 53-foot tall tower. An octagonal lantern room was equipped with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens, exhibited for the first time on September 15, 1876.