These four scenes are of Port Huron, Michigan, my home town...but are a
little before my time. Located in what local residents refer to as "The
Blue Water Area", Port Huron is located at the lowermost tip of Lake
Huron, as it enters the St. Clair River, on it's way to Detroit and beyond.
Port Huron, because of it's location, and because it is the boyhood home
of Thomas Edison, has a rich history, part of which I sought to capture
in these four images.
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Located near Port Huron, Michigan, Fort Gratiot Light, was named after
General Charles Gratiot, the engineer in charge of its construction. It
was established in 1814 to guard the juncture of Lake Huron and the St.
Clair River. The lighthouse, the oldest in Michigan, was constructed north
of the fort in 1829 by Lucius Lyon who later became one of Michigan's first
U.S. Senators.
Originally sixty-five feet high, the white painted brick tower was extended
to its present height of eighty-six feet in the early 1860s. Like many
of the early lighthouses on the Great Lakes, it has been decommissioned
by the Coast Guard, and is maintained as a treasured, local landmark. |
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| Black River bisects downtown Port Huron, flowing from the rural areas of St. Clair County, to it's confluence with the St. Clair River. Prior to the construction of the Blue Water Bridge, linking Port Huron with our Canadian neighbor city, Sarnia, Ontario, the only way of crossing the St. Clair River was by ferry. This image, based on an old photo from about 1890, shows one of those ferries, entering Port Huron on the Black River. Wood and coal companies lined the shores of Black river, providing fuel for the steam boilers of the boats. |
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| The Blue Water Bridge was constructed across the St. Clair River,in the
1930's, linking Port Huron, Michigan to our good neighbors in
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The ship passing under the bridge, is the
last of the commercial, sailing vessels on the Great Lakes, the J. T. Wing.
Beyond the bridge, in the background, is Lake Huron. My drawing is
based on a black and white photo, taken around 1940, by Mr. George
Askar, one of eastern Michigan's finest professional photographers.
I am deeply indebted to Mrs. Askar for it's use |
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| The bandstand/pavilion was an "icon" in the history of America.
Port Huron's Pine Grove Park is situated along the beautiful, St. Clair
River, as it flows from Lake Huron. Majestic, Great Lakes freightors pass
by, under the Blue Water Bridge, which is clearly visible from the park.The
park, itself, is still a local gathering spot for residents and visitors.
A softball field now occupies a portion of the grounds, with Port Huron's
tradition of excellence in Slo-Pitch Softball. In the Summer, you can
watch softball games in the evening, cooled by soft breezes off the lake.
Regretably, the pavilion no longer exists, except in the memories of those
who were fortunate enough to enjoy it, in their youth. |
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