Work is underway to improve the South Haven lighthouse. Historical Association of South Haven President Jim Ollgaard tells WSJM News the group in 2015 raised money to repaint the outside and remodel the inside of the structure first built in 1903. Now, it’s restoring the portholes.
“The portholes were removed from the lighthouse,” Ollgaard said. “Steel blanks were put in the holes. They were tired of vandalism, and they didn’t have the will to take care of it that the historical association does.”
There are five portholes being reinstalled, and Ollgaard says each one is a custom job. By the time the work is done, the lighthouse will be looking like its former self.
“Visually, it will be like it was in the 1950s.”
Ollgaard says they hope to have the porthole work done next year, if not by the end of this year. The Historical Association of South Haven owns the lighthouse. Ollgaard says with the portholes covered up, it’s pitch black inside the lighthouse. Getting them back will also allow for more ventilation.
