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Split Rock Lighthouse - Duluth, Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse

DULUTH, MINNESOTA

In 1905, off the coast of Duluth Minnesota, almost 30 ships were wrecked in what is known as the most dangerous piece of water in the world.  One third of those ships that wrecked were the uninsured freighters owned by the U.S. Steel Corporation.  Those shipwrecks prompted lobbying to the U.S. Lighthouse Service which in turn began construction on a congress appointed $75,000 Split Rock Lighthouse Station and fog signal.
Construction was finished in 1910 on the 7.6 acre facility and became known as one of Minnesota’s most popular destinations.  For more than a half a century, the lighthouse had breathtaking views of Lake Superior, and safely guided ships through the waters to safe harbor. 

The Split Rock Light Station was under the authority of the U.S. Lighthouse Service which is a branch of the Department of Commerce until 1939.  At that time, when it was absorbed by the U.S. Coast Guard which continues to operate all lighted aids in the United States to date.  

For almost 15 years, you could only access the lighthouse by water.  Then in 1924, the Lake Superior International Highway was finished making it car easier to reach the lighthouse.  Roughly about 5000 people visited the lighthouse annually in the 1930’s. 

​By 1938, the keeper of the lighthouse, Franklin Cowell estimated there were nearly 100,000 visitors to the lighthouse annually.  In 1939, it rose to the most publicized and visited lighthouse in the United States of America.  The advancement of new navigational technology caused a decline in the use of lighthouses and so the Split Rock Lighthouse was closed in 1969.  
​

In 1971, the State of Minnesota purchased the lighthouse and with the transfer of the 25 acre Split Rock Lighthouse, it was the states responsibility in 1976.  The historic site has been restored over the years to its original appearance.   

- OPEN DAILY -
- Monday - Sunday | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm - 

- Please check website for advance ticket purchase -  

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Learn more about the Split Rock Lighthouse by visiting their website.  
​Address: ​ 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Phone:  218-226-6372

Updated 09/29/20- LLS

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  • Cruise the Great Lakes
    • Lake Superior Cruises
    • Lake Michigan Cruises
    • Lake Huron Cruises
    • Lake Erie Cruises
    • Lake Ontario Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises
    • Great Lakes Attractions
  • Great Lakes Cruise Lines
    • Victory Cruise Lines
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Viking Expedition Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
    • Ponant Explorer Cruises
    • Hapag Lloyd Cruises
    • Blount Small Ship Adventures
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Canada/St. Lawrence Cruise Itineraries >
      • Victory 11 Day - Canadian Crown Jewels
      • Victory 13 Day - Canada's Southern Coast Itinerary
      • Pearl Seas 16 Day - Canadian Maritime & St Lawrence Seaway
      • Pearl Seas 11 Day - Canada & New England Fall Foliage
      • Viking 13 Day - Canadian Discovery Cruise (2022)
    • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries >
      • Victory 16 Day - Great Lakes Lakeside Treasures
      • Blount 16 Day - Great American Waterways
      • Blount 14 Day - Locks, Legends & Canals
      • Victory 13 Day - Great Lakes Grand Discovery
      • Pearl Seas 12 Day - Great Lakes & Georgian Bay
      • Victory 11 Day - Splendor of the Great Lakes
      • Ponant 11 Day - Discover the St. Lawrence River Cruise
      • Victory 9 Day - Great Lakes Masterpiece
      • Pearl Seas 8 Day - Great Lakes Cruise
      • Ponant 8 Day - Great Lakes of North America
      • Viking 8 Day - Niagara & the Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
      • Viking 8 Day - Undiscovered Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
      • Viking 8 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2022)
  • Destinations
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