The Building of the Detroit River Light Station

The vast majority of Great Lakes water borne commerce passes through the Detroit River. There was no busier shipping period than the last quarter of the 19th century. Vessels heading west from Buffalo navigated across shallow Lake Erie and then swung north into the very narrow Detroit River. The Detroit River is a swift running river that empties into the northwestern comer of Lake Erie dumping alluvial deposits that form narrow, shifting channels.