The only marble lighthouse in the United States stands before you. This is the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse. Its elegant Art Deco design is a tribute to William Livingstone Jr a prominent Detroiter. He was president of the Dime Savings Bank and the Lake Carriers Association.
Livingstone was instrumental in developing Great Lakes shipping. He championed improvements like the Livingstone Channel a dredged shipping route in the Detroit River. His legacy lives on through this beautiful structure.
The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse wasn’t the first on Belle Isle. A red brick lighthouse stood here before it. This earlier lighthouse was automated in 1930. The keeper’s house then served as the Detroit superintendent’s residence for a decade. Sadly the original lighthouse was demolished in 1941. The site is now occupied by a Coast Guard station.
The current lighthouse which is 58 feet tall was built in 1930. It’s an octagonal marvel of Georgia marble. Renowned architect Albert Kahn oversaw its construction. Sculptor Géza Maróti designed its intricate details. These include bronze eagles and a relief depicting humanity conquering nature.
The lighthouse’s lens originally came from its predecessor. It still shines brightly. Its 8600 candlepower beam is visible for fourteen miles. Unfortunately the lighthouse has faced vandalism throughout its history. Thieves even stole two of its lights in the 1980s. Despite this the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse stands as a testament to human endeavor and resilience. It continues to guide ships safely along the Detroit River a silent guardian of the waters. It’s a beacon of memory and a symbol of Detroit’s rich maritime heritage. A true treasure.