Funny Story from Grand Traverse Lighthouse: Interview with the Lighthouse Keeper

11 Aug 2024 · 1 min

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In this interview excerpt, the lighthouse keeper recounts a humorous nighttime incident at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. While waiting for freighters, he spots a large, stationary object and excitedly alerts the other lighthouse residents, who rush out in pajamas to view the supposed ship. The next morning, Steph informs them that the “freighter” was actually the Charlevoix Cement Factory, explaining why it was not moving. The anecdote highlights the keeper’s habit of smoking outside historic buildings, the communal anticipation of maritime traffic, and the lighthearted surprise when expectations were subverted.

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I admit, I was a smoker back then. I go out at night to have a cigarette, because you don't smoke in a historical building. We're outside, and we've been waiting to see freighters go. We hadn't seen any, hadn't seen any. Well, I'm out there, it's like, "Oh my goodness, there it is, the first freighter." I come running in the house hollering, "Guys, there's a freighter, there's a freighter." People were getting ready for bed, they were in their pajamas with slippers on. Everybody empties out the lighthouse. We're all outside looking at the freighter, right? And there was— we were all excited and stuff, except it wasn't moving. We thought that was a little bit strange, but I don't know, maybe they stopped, they laid— we don't know. So the next morning, Steph comes and we tell her we saw this freighter, we're so excited. And she tells us that was Charlevoix Cement Factory, which is why it wasn't moving.