Splitrock Lighthouse
3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616​
The Split Rock Lighthouse, perched on the rugged cliffs of Minnesota’s North Shore, is one of the most iconic and historically significant lighthouses in the United States.
​

Prints & Downloads

Map

Location

Located in Split Rock State Park, roughly 18 miles north of Two Harbors.
From Two Harbors, travel north on Highway 61 for about 18 miles to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Turn east into the park and continue to the parking area.
​
​​Google Maps HERE

History

Key Historical Highlights:​
  1. The Split Rock Lighthouse was built in 1910 by the U.S. Lighthouse Service, primarily in response to the infamous Mataafa Storm of 1905. This violent storm claimed 29 ships on Lake Superior, underscoring the need for better navigation aids along the treacherous North Shore.
  2. The lighthouse was designed to guide ships carrying iron ore and other cargo from Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range to ports around the Great Lakes.
  3. Engineering highlights
    The lighthouse was designed by engineer Ralph Russell Tinkham and constructed on a 130-foot basalt cliff overlooking Lake Superior.  The construction materials, including steel and concrete, had to be hauled up the cliff because there was no road access to the site until 1924.  It featured a Fresnel lens, a state-of-the-art system at the time, which could project its beam up to 22 miles into the lake. 
  4. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1969.   With advancements in modern navigation technology, including radar and GPS, the lighthouse became less essential and was decommissioned in 1969.  Shortly after, the lighthouse and surrounding property were transferred to the Minnesota Historical Society.

An interesting story about the Splitrock lighthouse .....
On November 28, 1905, one of the worst storms in Great Lakes history struck Lake Superior. With hurricane-force winds and massive waves, the storm wrecked 29 ships and took the lives of at least 36 sailors. Among the wrecks was the Madeira, a steel schooner-barge that was being towed by a steamer named the William Edenborn.

When the storm hit, the towline between the two vessels snapped, and the Madeira was left helpless against the waves. It crashed into the cliffs near what would later become Split Rock Lighthouse. In a desperate attempt to save himself and his crewmates, a young sailor named Fred Benson climbed the icy cliffs—without ropes—to secure a lifeline. His bravery helped save several lives, though some of his crew didn't make it.

​This disaster and the others from the storm led to demands for better navigation aids on Lake Superior. In 1910, Split Rock Lighthouse was completed on the very cliffs where the Madeira went down. It became one of the most famous lighthouses in the country, guiding ships safely for decades.

Photography
This lighthouse is the desired gem of lighthouse photography.  You should plan on visiting this lighthouse at different times of day and different times of the year.

​Its easy to get access to the parking lot at Splitrock, but the photos that you want, you will have to do some moderate hiking.   If you park in the state park parking lot on the south side of the lighthouse, you can hike to a great view location along the shores of Lake Superior.

The park closes after hours, but the gates are not locked, so you can get good sunrise photos.
​​
LENS - 24mm to 200mm would create great images.