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Rating: 
Summary: Picturesque
Review: This booklet does a fine job of describing Minnesota's Split Rock Lighthouse. Using pictures, drawings and interviews, the author gives an accurate picture of the history and functions of this historic structure. Besides the lighthouse there is also the fog signal building. The storms of 1905 on Lake Superior made the need for a new lighthouse apparent. Numerous ships were destroyed or damaged that year during the shipping season. And over 100 lives were lost on the Great Lakes in 1905 due to ships crashing on the rocks or sinking in the storms. In 1907, Congress approved funding for the construction of a lighthouse and fog signal at Split Rock. Construction began in 1909 and finished in 1910. Mr. Hall does a good job of describing several of the men who worked at Split Rock prior to WWII. And he also recounts many of the stories of the children of the lighthouse keepers. They lived in the homes built next to the lighthouse. Mr. Hall also gives a thorough and accurate description of the technology used to create an effective and timely light in the tower. "...the opening of the North Shore highway in 1924" was the seminal event in making the lighthouse a major tourist attraction. Once the lighthouse was accessible, the tourists came to see it. According to the author, Split Rock received "...five times as many visitors as any other station" in the U.S. Lighthouse Service. Split Rock's fog signal ceased operations in 1961. And the lighthouse followed in 1969. But the tourists have continued on. In summary, Mr. Hall gives a very well done survey of Split Rock Lighthouse. Its construction, history and people are all covered here.
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