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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...9ee1459c82.html

Stan Maddux Times Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY | A lighthouse along Michigan City's lakefront since 1858 has undergone restoration, a move designed to preserve the once leaking structure for future generations.

The top of what's now the Lighthouse Museum has been outfitted with a new lantern room, a replica of the original lantern room that once shined brightly to help ship captains safely navigate Lake Michigan.

It replaced another lantern room replica installed in 1973, that due to deterioration, had been leaking allowing water to filter inside, causing damage to the structure underneath the roof.

Shannon Eason, the city's interim parks superintendent, said the water damage was just minor and has been repaired.

Water damage could have been worse but the city acted quickly in obtaining $37,000 in federal money and put in $53,000 of its own funds to pay for the $90,000 restoration.

"It was definitely a dangerous situation when you're looking at a historic building that houses artifacts in a museum," said Eason.

Towels were being used to mop water up from the floors on the main level to help avoid more permanent damage to the structure prior to the new lantern room being constructed.

Eason said the new 13-foot by 13-foot lantern room with a copper roof is open to the public and accessible by climbing a spiral staircase, providing views of the lakefront.

Unlike the original lantern room, the replicas are not equipped to shine because the other historic lighthouse a few hundreds yard to the north remains active and having two active lighthouses could create some confusion for boaters.

Eason said among the artifacts in the museum is the lantern from the original lantern room.

"It's a phenomenal piece of work," she said.

The lighthouse was built during a time when Michigan City's port was used for bringing lumber, farm and other products into and out of the area by ships. They relied on the light shining from the lantern room to safely navigate at night.

According to museum officials, the lighthouse replaced one that was built on the water's edge in 1837 and was renovated in 1904.

There were seven keepers and 14 assistant keepers at the lighthouse from 1837 to 1940, museum officials said.

[Ang]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...9ee1459c82.html

Shannon Eason, the city's interim parks superintendent,...

What happened to the other lady?

[Southsider2k12]

Shannon Eason, the city's interim parks superintendent,...

What happened to the other lady?

Resigned suddenly and unexpectedly a while back.