Tucked away near the historic Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse in Michigan, a relic of maritime history sits quietly among other artifacts. The Blake Bell Co. bell, cast in 1897 for the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment, holds an air of mystery. The bell at Pointe Aux Barques was once essential for guiding mariners and aiding life-saving crews. Today, it rests outside, waiting for its story to be fully uncovered.
We did a bit of mature historian sleuthing and found an amazing tie to one of our nation’s founding fathers in this bell at Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse.
A Bell with a Storied Past
The Pointe Aux Barques Life-Saving Station, originally built in 1876, was a critical part of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, the predecessor to the modern Coast Guard. This bell, bearing the markings of the Blake Bell Co. and Boston, Mass. 1897, was likely used as a fog signal or emergency alarm. The Blake Bell Co., which traces its roots to the Paul Revere Foundry, was known for casting high-quality bells for lighthouses, churches, and schools. Its connection to the legendary Paul Revere lineage makes this bell an even more remarkable artifact.
Restoration of Pointe Aux Barques LSS
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Pointe aux Barques Life-Saving Station is one of the earliest U.S. Life-Saving Service buildings. It was the initial life-saving station to open on southern Lake Huron. Out of the 16 1875-style stations built in the U.S., only five are still intact, including the station at Pointe aux Barques. Among these surviving stations, two have been turned into private homes, one into a research center, and one in Delaware has been restored as a museum. When renovated, the Pointe aux Barques station will be the sole 1875-style Great Lakes building functioning as a museum.
The Current State of the Bell
As of August 2025, the bell sits outside with other artifacts in a protected spot between the lifesaving station house and the keeper’s quarters. It’s in fantastic shape and looks to be about as big as the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. With the Pointe Aux Barques Life-Saving Station undergoing restoration, we are unsure of where this artifact will ultimately reside.
A Key Piece of Maritime History
We are unsure about the name, U.S. Lighthouse Establishment, on the bell. The U.S. Lighthouse Service commissioned bells like this one to ensure safe navigation along Lake Huron’s treacherous shores. Bells predate and later were used alongside foghorns, another way lighthouses warn ships. Given its age and manufacturer, this bell is a rare historical piece, representing an era when sound signals were crucial for maritime safety. Its purpose and placement at the life-saving station rather than the lighthouse suggest it may have played a role in rescue operations rather than simple navigation.
Restoration Efforts Lie Ahead
The Pointe Aux Barques Life-Saving Station is undergoing an extensive restoration focused on preserving its historic structures. The priority is the exterior restoration of the Life-Saving Station Boat House and Captain’s Quarters.
The Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse organization (PABL) is in the process of drafting grant applications, to secure funding for the restoration. A key aspect of the effort is ensuring the new paint matches the original structure, with experts working to determine the correct shade. While the primary color is expected to be white, there is hope that the trim may be in a historically accurate contrasting color.
One of the major restoration projects includes fully restoring the copula and walk on top of the boathouse, allowing visitors to access the roof-top viewing area, just as the crew did while on watch. Additionally, the kitchen, which once stood between the boathouse and the Captain’s House, will be rebuilt, as its foundation remains intact.
Inside the boathouse, the original White Pine finish has been painted over. While interior restoration is necessary, the focus is currently on the exterior work. The entrance vestibule will also be removed, returning to its originally designed door canopy or hood.
To preserve the integrity of the structures, landscaping work will be done to raise the surrounding ground levels. Lastly, efforts are underway to apply for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring this vital piece of maritime history is recognized and protected for future generations.
Bell at Pointe Aux Barques
The ongoing restoration of the life-saving station presents an opportunity to reintroduce this bell to the public in a way that honors its history. Whether it finds a new home inside the restored station or is preserved in a protective display, its story deserves to be told. Until then, it remains an enigmatic symbol of Michigan’s maritime past, waiting for its next chapter to be written.
Do you have insights or historical knowledge about this bell? Share your thoughts and help solve the mystery of this remarkable artifact!
