Preface Created over a span of fifteen years, this book provides a fascinating look at the lighthouses that encircle the Great Lakes, from the St. Lawrence River to Duluth and the Lakehead. While not every light that ever existed is featured, most have been accounted for. We gathered this information from a wide range of resources: national archives, state and provincial archives, county and municipal archives, museums, university and public libraries, special collections, newspapers, periodicals, navigational guides, the internet, historical societies, port authorities, keepers and their families, other lighthouse authors and enthusiasts, the Canadian Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard. Although many people and groups have written in greater detail about their favorite lights or those with which they are most familiar, our hope is that this volume will accurately present the whole circle of Great Lakes lights and lend further impetus to their preservation. We traveled the lakes repeatedly to get an understanding of the distinct regions. We visited most of the existing lights on the lakes and are fortunate to have visited and photographed a number of lights that are now gone. Compiling and organizing the materials in this book was a labor of love. Because so little is known about some of the lights, and because many lights on the lakes have similar names or have had multiple names over the years, it became a researcher's nightmare to sort out the data. Locations were sometimes vague, contradictions were abundant, and dates and names in government agencies and documents varied. It was a constant challenge to fit the available information into a proper timeline for the evolution of construction and to establish an accurate chronology for the lists of lighthouse keepers. What's more, lighthouse groups and museums on every lake seemed to have their own claim to fame for their local lighthouse ("the oldest light," "the tallest light," or perhaps "the last light to have a keeper"). We have done our best to respect shared knowledge and historical accuracy. Our hope is that people who have additional information about these lights will join us in our attempt to preserve the lighthouses and share their histories. We hope that you enjoy this book. Excerpted from Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia by Larry Wright, Patricia Wright All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.