Hidden a few feet under the surface of the water in Lake Superior is Stannard Rock. It is about 24 miles offshore and somewhere between the Keweenaw Peninsula and Marquette. After the hulls of several ships were cut open by this submerged “can opener” a lighthouse was built in 1883 to warn ships of the dangers that lurked below.
In the lighthouse house service, it is known as a Stag Station since many remote lighthouse was manned by men who were not married. Because of its remote location, it was given the moniker of “The loneliest place on earth.”
The interesting thing about the human species is we can endure a lot of hardships, but it helps when we face challenges together. We have always been social creatures relying on one another for support and compassion and being isolated from one another one of the most difficult things we can do. I guess that is why solitary confinement is punishment for prisoners that don’t behave. Telling people to stay isolated from one another seems like a form of punishment but at least we have the internet and communications with each other. I could not imagine being stationed in a northern Michigan lighthouse without any form of communication and not knowing what is going on in the world until the supply ship comes once a month. That must have been a great day when they finally installed radios in the remote lighthouses.
Life would not be the same for me if I could not share my stories with you so thank you for taking the time to read them. It gives me great joy knowing people enjoy reading them.
P.S. I have not been to Stannard Rock Lighthouse on my quest to see all the lighthouses in Michigan. I hope to someday but for now, this is a pic from Wikipedia.
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