1889
January 1889 1 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant. Very quiet day in village=Mailed reports this P.M.
2 Wind west-northwest, light=Weather clear & pleasant=Not a particle of ice in the lake and no snow on ground.
3 Wind south, moderate=Weather clear, warm and more like spring=Received check No. 333 for quarter’s salary.
4 Wind northeast, moderate=Weather mild and cloudy, hazy=Mailed check receipt=Received envelopes from engineer.
5 Wind northeast, fresh=Weather cloudy but slightly colder: evening light rain and mild for this time of year.
6 Sun Wind northeast to northwest, moderate=Eve: brisk=Weather soft: light rain in the a.m.: evening light snow.
7 Wind west, brisk=weather cloudy and soft=Roads all soft and business very quiet in village.
8 Wind southeast, fresh=Weather soft, damp & cloudy: in the evening light rain and foggy: very quiet.
9 Wind southeast, moderate=Raining in the morning: 2 P.M. southwest, gale, snowing, colder: evening gale and snowing.
10 Wind southwest, very fresh=Weather cloudy and blustery=A few light sleighs out today, first, this winter.
11 Wind west-southwest, moderate=Weather clear and slightly warmer=Mrs. Dr. Gilbert over this morning.
12 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather mild, cloudy and threatening snow=Hunter’s lifted gill nets outside.
13 Sun Wind northeast to north, fresh=Weather some colder: light snow in the morning=Quite a few out cutter riding.
14 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy, but pleasant=Meeting held and decided to offer $1,000 bonus to flax mill.
15 Wind southeast, fresh=Weather cloudy & soft=Considerable slush ice coming in to shore.
16 Wind southeast, fresh=Weather mild with rain and fog=Snow all gone and roads again soft.
17 Wind southwest, blowing a gale=Weather cloudy and colder=Ice all blown off shore and lake clear.
18 Wind west, moderate=Weather cloudy and quite cold=Mrs. Huyck spent the afternoon here.
19 Wind east, fresh=Weather cloudy, cold and trying to snow=Bought load wood $5.25=Mr. Burgess and G. Coppernoll visited tower.
20 Sun Wind east-southeast, very fresh=Weather very wintry=A great deal of snow fell today and badly drifted.
21 Wind west, fresh=Weather cloudy and colder=Snow all drifted off the roads=Ice all blown off shore.
22 Wind southeast, fresh to southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant=Bought two loads wood today.
23 Wind south and southwest, moderate=Weather clear and mild=Mrs. J. Falls called this P.M.
24 Wind west-southwest, light=Weather clear, warm and pleasant=Fishermen caught 400 # of trout on hooks.
25 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather clear and warm=Snow nearly all gone again and roads soft.
26 Wind north, moderate to brisk=Weather cloudy and colder=Threatening storm this evening.
27 Sun Wind northeast, very fresh=Weather blustery and wintry: began snowing at 10 a.m. and continued all day.
28 Wind northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and light snow: much colder in the evening.
29 Wind west to southwest, moderate=Weather clear and thawing some=Everything in business quiet.
30 Wind south-southeast, brisk=Weather moderate and snowing=C.M.O. [Chris M. Oldfield] began extending the dock.
31 Wind southeast to southwest, brisk to mod.=Snowing=Fishermen cutting ice on pond=Mailed reports.
February 1889
1 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather clear & cold=No ice in the lake=Received circular as to Engineer Wm. Ludlow’s appt.
2 Wind west, moderate=Weather cloudy and thawing some=Neither sleighing nor good wheeling.
3 Sun Wind northeast to southeast, moderate=Quite a fall of snow all day=Considerable floating ice in the lake.
4 Wind southeast to east, fresh=Weather very stormy and snowing hard=Evening gale and very stormy.
5 Wind northwest, gale=Weather cold and a regular blizzard: zero at 6 P.M.=Roads all blocked with snow.
6 Wind northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and very cold: 10 below zero at 7 a.m.=Mail stage did not arrive till 6 P.M.
7 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy and milder=Heavy ice banks formed near shore last night.
8 Wind southeast to southwest, moderate=Weather milder and light snow=C.M.O. [Chris M. Oldfield] began driving piles for extension of dock.
9 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather mild & cloudy and light snow=Splendid sleighing.
10 Sun Wind south, moderate to fresh in the evening=weather mild and cloudy in the evening light snow.
11 Wind west, brisk=Weather cloudy, cold and blustery=Received blank vouchers and ornithology blanks.
12 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy and cold in the P.M.=Mrs. C. McGregor spent afternoon here.
13 Wind northwest, light=Weather clear and very cold=6 degrees below zero at 7 o’clock this morning.
14 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather clear and milder=Boys skating on ice in lake for first time this winter.
15 Wind east-northeast, fresh=Weather cloudy and threatening=Ice and sea took away new part of the dock.
16 Wind southeast, moderate=Weather mild, raining and foggy=Bought five cods hard maple.
17 Sun Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but mild=Snow pretty well gone again=Many boys skating on the lake.
18 Wind northeast to northwest, moderate=Heavy snow all day and blustering=Six inches of snow fell today.
19 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather stormy and blustery: light snow all morning=Roads all drifted up again.
20 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and cold=Keeper Trescott of Sand Beach Lighthouse in town today.
21 Wind south-southwest, fresh=Weather part clear and warmer=Nearly all the ice taken out this evening.
22 Wind west-northwest, fresh=Weather cold and blustery: snow in the morning: below zero in the evening.
23 Wind west-southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy and extremely cold-coldest of the winter: 17 below zero at 7 a.m.
24 Sun Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but warmer=Lake frozen over again and boys out skating today.
25 Wind southwest and southeast, moderate=Weather clear but cold=No travel on the north and south roads.
26 Wind southeast, moderate=Weather milder and light snow=Ice carried away C.M.O.’s [Chris M. Oldfield’s] dock. (new portion) spile drives and all last night.
27 Wind northwest to north, moderate=Weather cloudy but mild=J. Wright moved back next door.
28 Wind northeast, light=Weather clear, warm and very pleasant=Made out and mailed reports.
March 1889
1 Wind east-northeast, light=Weather damp, soft and foggy=Snow melted very rapidly today.
2 Wind north, Weather warm and quite foggy=Sleighing nearly all gone in places.
3 Sun Wind west-northwest, light=Weather clear and quite warm=J. West of Sanilac & Mr. Goodrich of Sand Beach visited tower.
4 Wind northwest, moderate=Weather clear, warm and pleasant=No water in either cistern.
5 Wind north, moderate=Weather clear, warm and pleasant=Ice on lake very black looking and soft.
6 Wind west-northwest, moderate=Weather cooler, cloudy and threatening snow or rain this evening.
7 Wind north, fresh=Weather clear and thawing fast=Put up season’s supply of ice today.
8 Wind west-northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and considerably cooler=Ice as far as can be seen.
9 Wind west-northwest, fresh=Weather colder, cloudy and spitting snow=Quite an open space of water.
10 Sun Wind west, brisk=Weather clear & cool but pleasant=Considerable ice floating down=Mrs. Gilbert here.
11 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but mild and pleasant=Snow fast disappearing.
12 Wind northeast, light=Weather clear warm and pleasant=Ice all on this shore again.
13 Wind southwest, brisk, and weather warm in the a.m.: P.M. north, fresh, cloudy, cold: ice all broke out and lake clear.
14 Wind east, fresh=Weather cooler but pleasant=Lake again full of ice on this shore=Paid J. Mannion $11.65 bal. On wood.
15 Wind southeast, light=Weather clear, warm and spring-like=No water to be seen from tower.
16 Wind northeast, moderate=Weather clear and warm=No water to be seen=Dr. & Mrs. Gilbert took tea here.
17 Sun Wind east to southeast, light=Weather clear and pleasant: slightly cooler=No move to the ice yet
18 Wind north-northwest, fresh=Weather foggy and colder=Ice broke out but filled in again.
19 Wind north, fresh=Weather cloudy and cold=Ice as far as can be seen=Judge Wheat of Cairo visited tower.
20 Wind north, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant=Painted dome inside of tower.
21 Wind north, moderate=Weather cloudy & cool=The ice still hangs here=C.M.O. again started at his dock.
22 Wind northeast moderate=Weather clear and pleasant=Painted floor and pedestal in tower.
23 Wind variable, moderate=Weather clear, pleasant=Boat reported passed up last night=Ice as far as can be seen=Painted tower stairs.
24 Sun Wind west, fresh: clear warm=P.M. N.E. cloudy=Lake open and Lighted up tonight
25 Wind north, fresh=Weather clear but quite cold: freezing all day=Lake again full of ice as far as can be seen.
26 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather part clear and pleasant=ice all gone from the shore again.
27 Wind southwest and northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and threatening rain: Eve=light snow.
28 Wind west and southwest, fresh=Weather cloudy=Ice banks near shore breaking up.
29 Wind north, very fresh=Weather cold & light snow in the morning=ice banks all gone away.
30 Wind southeast, brisk=Weather cloudy and cold=Fishermen went out in lake for lines set two months ago.
31 Sun Wind northeast, brisk=Weather very wintry looking and snowing all day.
April 1889
1 Wind southeast, moderate=Weather soft and cloudy=Mailed quarterly and monthly reports.
2 Wind north to southeast, light=Damp, foggy=Ice all back again=Large steamer, Dean Richmond, passed up through the ice at noon=Received quarter’s check.
3 Wind northwest, fresh=Light rain and snow squall=Lake full of ice.
4 Wind southwest, moderate=Cloudy & cool=Steamer Atlantic passed up 8 a.m.=Two barges seen outside.
5 Wind northwest, fresh=Weather wintry & stormy=Heavy storm of snow and quite cold in evening.
6 Wind north, fresh=Weather clear & cool=No boat seen today=Ice all gone=Cleaned the lens.
7 Sun Wind southeast, moderate=Weather clear but cool=Some ice off southeast of here=No boats seen.
8 Wind southwest and south, moderate=Mild, pleasant=Fishermen launched boats & set nets=No boats seen.
9 Wind southwest to northeast, moderate=Weather pleasant=Foot of lake still choked with ice and no boats passed.
10 Wind southeast, light=Clear & pleasant=Quite a little ice to the southard=City of Alpena here at 6:30 P.M.
11 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy and light rain in evening=Stmr. Flora & several tows passed up.
12 Wind north, fresh=Weather cloudy & cooler=Quite a few boats passing=Keeper sick: chill fever.
13 Wind north, fresh=Weather cloudy and quite cold=Keeper sick and light a little late in being put out.
14 Sun Wind northeast, moderate=Weather clear but cold=Mr. & Mrs. John Thomson called.
15 Wind northeast, moderate= Weather clear but cold=River still blocked with ice.
16 Wind northeast, moderate=Weather clear and cool= Flora returned from Port Huron and took on big load here for above.
17 Wind east-northeast, light=Hazy, pleasant=Dr. Loop called professionally on Keeper.
18 Wind northeast and south, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant=Dr. Loop called again on Keeper.
19 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and very sultry: evening, thunder, lightning & rain=Many boats passing.
20 Wind south, moderate=Weather foggy & cloudy=Dr. Loop visited Keeper again professionally=Stmr. Stewart up.
21 Sun Wind northwest to north, fresh= Weather cool but pleasant=Easter Sunday=Mr. J. Thomson and Leins called.
22 Wind variable, fresh=Weather clear but cool=Many boats passing=Keeper still confined to house.
23 Wind southeast, fresh=Weather part clear but cool=Stmr. City of Alpena tried to come in but struck & backed out.
24 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather cloudy & threatening rain=Stmrs Flora and Stewart called.
25 Wind west and north, moderate=Weather cloudy and quite cool=City of Alpena stopped here today.
26 Wind northeast, moderate=Weather cool and cloudy=Schooner Julia Larson unloaded shingles.
27 Wind north, fresh=Weather cloudy and cool=Steam barge Messenger (Capt. Comer) loaded.
28 Sun Wind northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy, cool and damp: light rain in the a.m.=Many boats passing.
29 Wind northwest, fresh=Weather very cold and cloudy: snow and rain squalls in the a.m.
30 Wind northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and cold=City of Alp0ena did not stop=Mailed monthly reports.
May 1889
1 Wind northeast, moderate=Weather cloudy & quite cool=The Flora and Stewart called at this port today.
2 Wind north, fresh=Weather cold & light rain=Steamer City of Alpena stopped here on her way down.
3 Wind north, fresh=Weather cloudy and cold=Steamer City of Alpena called here this evening.
4 Wind west and southwest, brisk to fresh=Weather warm and spring-like=he first day of spring this year.
5 Sun Wind southwest, brisk=Weather part clear, warm & pleasant=Saw R. Wallace on the boat.
6 Wind southwest to south, mod. To fresh=Weather cloudy and quite warm=Painted outside top tower.
7 Wind southwest, south, moderate=Weather warm & smoky=Capt. Merriman blowing up rocks at dock.
8 Wind southwest, moderate= Weather warm & smoky=Stmr. City of Mackinac made her first trip here.
9 Wind southwest, brisk=Weather very warm and dry: rain very badly needed=Received blank vouchers.
10 Wind southwest to north=Thunder, lightning, rain & hail: P.M. cool=Mailed vouchers=Ed & Ida on the Alpena.
11 Wind north, fresh=Weather part clear, cool and pleasant=Whitewashed side fence=Many boats passing up.
12 Sun Wind north, brisk=Weather pleasant, cool=Ed & Ida Morris came down on the Alpena and visiting us.
13 Wind north & northeast, moderate=Weather cool with light rain showers in the afternoon & evening.
14 Wind north, fresh==Weather clear but cool=Mr. & Mrs. E. Morris left for Detroit=Whitewashed outside tower.
15 Wind north and northeast, moderate=Weather cloudy: P.M. thunder, lightning and rain: evening thick fog.
16 Wind east and southeast, brisk=Foggy and light rain: P.M. cloudy=J. Kinney appointed postmaster.
17 Wind southwest and south, fresh=Weather cloudy and very warm=Lamp smoked last night.=Washed dome and inside tower.
18 Wind southwest and south, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant: eve, thunder & lightning, but no rain.
19 Sun Wind southwest, brisk=Weather cloudy & threatening rain=Mr. Dodds visited the tower this evening.
20 Wind southwest to southeast, mod. To brisk=Cloudy & threatening rain: Eve: north, fresh, cool=Took down coal stove.
21 Wind west to northwest, fresh=Weather cold, damp & disagreeable: light rain at times & evening.
22 Wind north, very fresh=Weather cold and damp: light rain in the a.m.=Mr. Barnes of Croswell visited tower.
23 Wind southeast, moderate to south, fresh=Weather cloudy and cold=Quite a heavy frost this morning.
24 Wind southwest, moderate to north, fresh= Weather cloudy and cold in the P.M.=Whitewashed back fence.
25 Wind north, brisk to fresh=Weather clear but quite cool=Heavy frost again last night.
26 Sun Wind south, moderate=Weather clear, pleasant=The Warrington here with supplies=Cmdr. Elmer & Col. Ludlow inspected station.
27 Wind southwest to northwest, brisk to fresh= Weather damp and cold: eve: N.W. fresh.
28 Wind west to northeast, fresh=Weather cold: light rain in the a.m.=Very heavy frost this a.m.
29 Wind west to northeast, moderate to fresh=Cold and damp: raining in the afternoon and evening.
30 Wind north-northeast: terrible gale with heavy rain: worst for years: sea running over dock: had to pull out fishboats.
31 Wind north, moderate=Weather damp and foggy=Mailed reports=Grace and Mrs. W. arrived this evening.
June 1889
1 Wind southwest and south, moderate=Raw, cold and threatening rain=Harry Oldfield visited tower
2 Sun Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cold and raining: very backward season for crops.
3 Wind southeast, moderate=Weather wet: rain in the afternoon and somewhat warmer.
4 Wind west to southwest, moderate=Weather raining but some warmer=W. Hoffmeister’s house burned down at 5 a.m.
5 Wind southwest to north, moderate=Weather wet: light rain=Received letter from Engineer relative to cellar.
6 Wind north to southwest, moderate=Weather pleasant-first day in three weeks=Mr. C. Churchill visited tower.
7 Wind southwest, brisk=Weather some warmer but damp: light rains all day and evening.
8 Wind northwest, brisk= Weather wet and disagreeable: foggy in the a.m. & raining in P.M.
9 Sun Wind northeast to southwest, moderate=Weather warmer with light rain and very thick fog.
10 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy and cool=Mr. Pettic of Fenton and lady visited the tower.
11 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather part clear, warm & pleasant=Cut the grass in yard.
12 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather clear, warm and pleasant=Grace Holmes left for Port Hope.
13 Wind southwest to north=Weather cloudy & warm: P.M. cooler=Mr. H. Schlichting put door in the cellar.
14 Wind south, light=Weather hazy and warm: evening cloudy and threatening rain storm.
15 Wind southwest, light=P.M. north, moderate=Weather raining and very thick fog in the P.M. and evening.
16 Sun Wind south to north, light=Raining and thick fog in evening=Willie McFawn arrived=Scow J. H. Magruder loaded today.
17 Wind north, moderate=Weather foggy in the morning but pleasant in the afternoon.
18 Wind northeast to east, moderate=Weather part clear, pleasant=Cleaned the lens this morning.
19 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy and rain in the P.M.=Received letter from Engineer relative to privy.
20 Wind southwest, moderate to brisk=Weather warmer, cloudy & threatening=Whitewashed inside of tower.
21 Wind southwest, light to fresh=Weather cloudy and damp=Heavy thunder, lightning & rain at 3 a.m.
22 Wind northwest, fresh, to east, moderate=Cloudy & quite cool=McConkey’s Circus opposite house today.
23 Sun Wind north to northeast, moderate=Cloudy and cool=Miss Walters and lady friend of Lexington visited tower.
24 Wind southeast & east, light=Cloudy, cool=Mailed estimates for moving privy=Dr. Snyder of Cleveland, Ohio visited tower.
25 Wind southeast to east, light=Weather hazy and atmosphere damp=Mrs. Moss and Miss Wetmore visited tower.
26 Wind southeast, light=Weather cloudy, damp and warm=Tower sweated a great deal today.
27 Wind north, light=Weather cool: light rain and foggy, P.M. & evening=received blank vouchers for putting door in cellar.
28 Wind north, moderate=Weather foggy in the morning; P.M. clear=Mailed voucher to Engineer=Washed tower windows.
29 Wind north, moderate=Weather hazy and foggy for short time, but pleasant=Received official notice of change from fixed white light to fixed red on July 15.
30 Sun Wind north and south, light=Cloudy, but warm & pleasant=Mr. & Mrs. F. Pratt visited tower.
July 1889
1 Wind north to east, light=Weather part clear, very warm=Made out and mailed monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
2 Wind northeast, calm=Hazy and very warm=Received check No. 775 for quarter’s salary for $113.40: $21.60 deficiency. 4 % of year’s salary deducted.
3 Wind southwest, brisk=Weather cloudy & warm: P.M., heavy rain=Mrs. Wonders & Wallace arrive
4 Wind west to east, light=Weather cloudy but warm & pleasant=Big celebration here and many people in town.
5 Wind northeast to east, light=Weather quite pleasant= Received via express box of ruby chimneys this evening.
6 Wind south and southeast, light=Clear and warm= Received orders to move privy=Mailed receipt for ruby chimneys & express & stage
7 Sun Wind southwest, light=Weather clear and very warm=Met Lottie Luce and husband on City of Alpena.
8 Wind southwest, brisk to light=Weather clear and very warm=94 in shade=Schr Glad Tidings loaded oats.
9 Wind southwest and southeast, moderate=Weather clear and very warm: 90 in the shade this p.m.
10 Wind southwest, light=Weather very warm & thunder showers in the afternoon: eve: fog=Began moving privy.
11 Wind north and northeast, brisk to moderate=Weather clear, cool and pleasant=Emptied privy vault.
12 Wind southwest to east and southeast, light=Weather clear and pleasant=Mrs. Geo. Coppernoll & mother called.
13 Wind west, moderate to north, brisk=Pleasant-Wixom’s Circus across the street today=Warrington up this evening.
14 Sun Wind southeast, moderate, to north, fresh=Cloudy, rain in the P.M. & evening=Several circus hands visited tower.
15 Wind northeast, brisk, to southwest, moderate=Clear & pleasant=Changed Light from Fixed White to Fixed Red.
16 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather clear and pleasant=Mrs. U. Raymond called this morning.
17 Wind southeast, moderate=Weather clear & pleasant=Whitewashed inside of tower with lime and cement.
18 Wind southeast, moderate=Weather cloudy & light rain in evening=Mrs.Wallace left for Detroit: Bob’s baby dead.
19 Wind north, light and foggy in the morning: P.M. fresh & cloudy: Too much sea and Mackinac and Alpena did not stop.
20 Wind north and northeast, moderate=Cool, cloudy and pleasant=Miss Henry, Lexington, & Mrs. J.F. Campbell & Mrs. Jos. S. Helfman of Detroit visited the tower.
21 Sun Wind northeast, light=Weather cool & pleasant=Mrs. H. Wallace returned from Detroit.
22 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant: evening wind north, with light rain.
23 Wind north, moderate=Weather cloudy, cool & pleasant=Received blank vouchers for freight on ruby chimneys.
24 Wind north, brisk to south, moderate=Very pleasant=Mrs. Wonders & son left for Thunder Bay Island.
25 Wind north to east, moderate=Clear & pleasant=Mr. Schlichting finished work of moving privy and laying walks for $67.
26 Wind east to southeast, moderate=Weather cloudy=P.M. light rain=Willie McFawn left for home.
27 Wind south and southeast, moderate=Cloudy: Eve=heavy thunder, lightning & rain=Mailed Mr. Schlichting’s bill, moving privy.
28 Sun Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant=Lizzie Leins and Sandusky friends visited the tower.
29 Wind southwest, brisk to moderate=Cloudy and threatening rain=Mrs. A. Thomson called this p.m.
30 Wind north and west, moderate=Weather cloudy and threatening=Evening, thunder, lightning and rain.
31 Wind north and northeast, brisk=Cloudy but pleasant=Made out and mailed monthly reports.
August 1889
1 Wind south to east, moderate=Cloudy but pleasant=Mr. G. Hawke & Mrs. Kate Snody married=Took several girls up in tower.
2 Wind southwest and west=Weather cloudy: light shower in the afternoon=Schr. Glad Tidings loaded hay.
3 Wind west, fresh=Weather cloudy, pleasant=Mrs. Jas. Thomson & friend & Miss Waterbury of Chicago visited tower.
4 Sun Wind north to northeast, moderate to fresh=Weather cloudy & cool=Met W. Eccles, E. Motley & Supt. Weirs on boat.
5 Wind north and northeast, fresh=Weather cloudy and cool=Received package envelopes from Engineer.
6 Wind southwest to southeast, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant=The folks all up to picnic upshore.
7 Wind west to northeast, light=Weather hazy & pleasant=Met E.A. Morris & wife on boat on way to Lake ?
8 Wind southwest, light to moderate=Cloudy and threatening rain, which is very badly needed.
9 Wind southwest, moderate: Evening northeast, fresh and rain for short time: afternoon quite smoky.
10 Wind northeast, fresh=Weather cloudy & cool=Received blank vouchers, filled out and mailed this P.M.
11 Sun Wind northwest to northeast, moderate=Very pleasant day=Mrs. J. Wright & May Roberts visited the tower.
12 Wind southwest, brisk=Weather cloudy and threatening rain, which is very much needed.
13 Wind southeast and southwest, brisk=Rain in the P.M=Mother Morris & Robin left for home=Many visitors to tower.
14 Wind northwest and northeast, very fresh=Cloudy and cool=Big sea running & several vessels run back.
15 Wind northwest, fresh to north, moderate=Cool with light showers in the afternoon=Cleaned the lens today.
16 Wind northwest, brisk to moderate=Cloudy but warm & pleasant=Received check for freight=Vira on boat to island.
17 Wind northwest to northeast, moderate=Weather cloudy but very pleasant=Mrs. Loop & friends called.
18 Sun Wind southwest and south, brisk=Weather cloudy but pleasant=The Warrington passed down at 4 P.M.
19 Wind southwest and south, moderate=Weather cloudy, warm and sultry=Rain is much needed.
20 Wind southwest, brisk=Weather smoky, cloudy and very warm=92 in the shade this afternoon.
21 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and smoky=Received treasury circular revoking circular no. 38.
22 Wind southwest and southeast, brisk=Weather cloudy, very dry=Took several children up in tower.
23 Wind southwest, brisk to north, fresh=Cloudy but pleasant=Lottie E. Morris and Ella McKay arrived this evening.
24 Wind northeast, brisk=Weather cloudy but pleasant= round very dry and rain much needed.
25 Sun Wind southwest to southeast, light=Weather hazy, cloudy and foggy on the lake, boats late.
26 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather hazy and a little thick=Received and mailed vouchers for moving privy.
27 Wind southwest, light=Weather hazy and very warm and close=Keeper to Lexington=Left 10 a.m. returned 10 P.M.
28 Wind southeast, light=Weather hazy and foggy in the morning; very warm and everything drying up.
29 Wind south and southeast, moderate=Hazy & foggy=Very warm=Vira and Eddie arrived from the island.
30 Wind north, moderate=Weather hazy and very warm & dry. Vira, Mrs. Wallace, and Eddie left for Detroit. Rev. Christy of Hudson, Ohio visited the tower in evening.
31 Wind northeast, moderate=Weather hazy and smoky=Mailed monthly reports and receipt for H. Schlichting’s check.
September 1889
1 Wind east and northeast, brisk to moderate=Weather hazy, smoky and very dry=Geo. Burgess’ son died.
2 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather hazy and very warm=90 degrees in the shade=Evening cloudy and lightning.
3 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy, warm and very dry=Mr. Keown of Buffalo, N.Y. visited tower.
4 Wind southeast & southwest, moderate=Weather hazy & foggy in the a.m.: P.M. cloudy and thunder.
5 Wind south, brisk to southwest, fresh=Light rain & cloudy=Lottie & Ella McKay left for home this morning. The Warrington passed up at noon.
6 Wind west to southeast, moderate=Weather cloudy but very pleasant: dry.
7 Wind southwest and southeast, moderate=Weather cloudy & smoky=Washed tower and windows inside & out.
8 Sun Wind southeast to north, light=Weather smoky in the morning: clear and pleasant in the afternoon.
9 Wind southeast, brisk=Weather foggy: thick nearly all day=Put in 4070 lbs. Store size coal today.
10 Wind southeast to north, moderate=Cloudy but quite warm and dry=Second load of coal today-4070#.
11 Wind northeast, light=Weather warm and smoky and foggy=Put in cellar third load coal: 1830 lbs.
12 Wind northeast, moderate=Weather warm, smoky and foggy=Mrs. Jas. Thomson, Mrs. Walker, & May Roberts visited tower.
13 Wind east and northeast, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant=Stmr. Dove called at dock today.
14 Wind southeast, moderate=Weather cloudy and threatening rain, which is very badly needed.
15 Sun Wind southwest, moderate to fresh & squally=In the afternoon heavy thunder and rain: Evening, very fresh north wind.
16 Wind northeast, fresh=Cloudy & quite cold=Yacht Iota at dock=A schooner waterlogged out in the lake.
17 Wind northwest, light to southwest, fresh=Cold & cloudy=Beach full of pulp boats from barge Golden Rule waterlogged yesterday.
18 Wind southwest to northwest, fresh=Rain in the afternoon & very fall-like=Stmr. Alpena quit stopping here.
19 Wind northwest, fresh to west, moderate=Cloudy and cold with light rain in the afternoon=Big sea in the a.m.
20 Wind northwest, very fresh=Weather cold and raw: rain in the morning=Big sea and Mackinac did not stop.
21 Wind northwest to fresh=Weather cold & squally=Raining at times=H or A Platts & friend visited tower.
22 Sun Wind southwest to northeast, moderate=Weather clear and pleasant=First frost of the season this a.m.
23 Wind southeast and south, moderate=Hazy & cloudy, but pleasant=Everything very quiet in village.
24 Wind south and southeast, moderate=Weather hazy and cloudy but very pleasant and warm.
25 Wind southeast and southwest, fresh to moderate=Cloudy in a.m.=P.M. rain=Miss V. Dodds, Chas. Dodds & Miss Davis of Forester visited tower.
26 Wind west and southwest, moderate=Light rain in P.M.=Warrington here at 6:30 a.m. & Cmdr. Elmer inspects.
27 Wind northwest, brisk=P.M. moderate=Light rain in the afternoon, cold=Frost again this morning.
28 Wind north and northeast, moderate=Weather part clear and very pleasant=Barge Finch at dock.
29 Sun Wind southwest, moderate=Weather hazy & foggy in the a.m.=Cloudy in the P.M.=David McFawn, Hattie [McFawn] & daughter Grace arrived.
30 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather damp: light rain at times during the day and evening.
October 1889
1 Wind southwest moderate to northwest very fresh=Light rain in the a.m.: P.M. cloudy=Made out and mailed reports.
2 Wind northwest, fresh to moderate, cloudy but pleasant=Received check today=D. McFawn & family left for home.
3 Wind southwest, moderate: weather cold, light rain in the morning=Cleaned and changed lamps today.
4 Wind northwest fresh, to northeast, moderate=Light rain in the morning: afternoon cloudy and cold.
5 Wind southwest, brisk=Weather cloudy and cold=Evening north-northwest, gale with rain at times.
6 Sun Wind north-northeast, blowing a gale with hail and sleet at times=Cold=Very few boats seen today.
7 Wind northwest, very fresh=Weather raw, cold & sleet=Part of Lexington dock carried away yesterday and tow barge Lady Franklin ashore there.
8 Wind west-northwest, brisk=Weather cloudy and cold=Heavy frost and froze quite hard.
9 Wind west-southwest, brisk: P.M. northeast moderate=Weather part clear, pleasant=Washed tower windows=The Mackinac arrived up at midnight.
10 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but pleasant.
11 Wind west, moderate to northeast=Weather part clear and pleasant=Cleaned lens=Tug M. Spencer took away raft.
12 Wind northeast, moderate, to very fresh=Weather damp and hazy in the morning; cloudy in P.M.
13 Sun Wind northeast, very fresh=weather cold, rain squalls and disagreeable=Too much sea for boats to stop.
14 Wind north and northwest, fresh=Cloudy and cold=Heavy sea running=Bought 9 ½ bu. potatoes at 40 c.
15 Wind north and northeast, moderate=Weather very pleasant=Many boats passing up and down.
16 Wind southwest and south, light=Weather hazy and smoky; Evening thick=Tug Mollie Spencer took away balance of raft.
17 Wind west to east, moderate=Weather very smoky in the morning: P.M. clear=Schr Magruder loaded hay.
18 Wind west to northeast, brisk to light=Weather thick and smoky: too thick to see any boats.
19 Wind southwest, brisk=Weather very thick with smoke=Washed tower windows=Three years ago today we arrived.
20 Sun Wind north and northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy and cold=Three years ago today this tower first lighted.
21 Wind north, fresh=Weather cloudy and cold=Warrington passed down outside at 11 a.m.=Shepherd loaded hay.
22 Wind northeast, fresh=Weather cold, light rain in the morning and cloudy and cold in the afternoon.
23 Wind northeast, fresh to moderate=Weather clear and pleasant=Shipped J. Sinclair apples on Mackinac.
24 Wind south and southeast, fresh=Weather cloudy=Took down screens=Shipped W.H. Morris apples & honey.
25 Wind south and southwest, fresh to moderate=Misting rain all day. Schr. A. Ford, Capt. Simmes loaded hay.
26 Wind north-northeast, very fresh=Cloudy and threatening=Big sea and very few boats passing.
27 Sun Wind northeast, very fresh=Weather cloudy & cold=Heavy sea and Mackinac did not stop.
28 Wind northeast, very fresh=Weather cloudy, cold & threatening snow=Very few boats passing.
29 Wind northeast, fresh to moderate=Weather cloudy & cold=Barges Shepherd & Ruby loaded here today.
30 Wind southwest, moderate, to southeast, fresh=Weather cloudy and cool=Schr. Aunt Ruth loaded hay
31 Wind east, fresh, to north, moderate=Light rain & disagreeable=Mailed monthly reports.
November 1889
1 Wind southwest, light, to northeast, fresh=Weather wet and disagreeable=Neither Mackinac nor Stewart stopped.
2 Wind southeast, fresh, raining, to southwest, mod, cloudy=Mailed vouchers=Notice of O.F. Hayerman’s appointment as Inspector.
3 Sun Wind southwest, brisk=Weather part clear, cold, but pleasant=Mackinac and Stewart stopped.
4 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather part clear and cold=Evening cold and freezing some at midnight.
5 Wind southwest, brisk and fresh at times=Cloudy and spitting snow at times=Mackinac arrived down with snow on docks.
6 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather clear, cold and pleasant=Put up coal stove today=Magruder loaded.
7 Wind southwest, fresh to moderate=Weather clear, milder & pleasant=Evening, north=Started coal stove today.
8 Wind northeast, fresh to moderate=Weather part clear and pleasant=P.M. cloudy and threatening rain.
9 Wind northeast, brisk to moderate, light misty rain in the a.m. & evening=Washed tower windows.
10 Sun Wind southwest, moderate=Weather milder: foggy in the early morning, cloudy & pleasant in the P.M.
11 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy, but very pleasant=Many boats passing up & down.
12 Wind south to southwest, brisk to moderate=Weather mild, cloudy & damp: evening raining light.
13 Wind northeast, light=Light rain but mild=Warrington here at 7 a.m. and Inspector Heyerman inspected station. Everything O.K.
14 Wind southwest, moderate=Light rain during the day and light snow in the evening N.W.
15 Wind northwest, fresh to moderate=Weather wintry=Ground covered with snow for first time this season.
16 Wind west-southwest, moderate=Weather clear and cold-24 above=Received letter from Eng’r relative to any damage to U.S. property.
17 Sun Wind northeast, light=Weather clear and pleasant=Millar Shaw and Mr. Churchill visited tower.
18 Wind northeast, fresh=Weather milder with light rain in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon.
19 Wind northeast, light=Light rain in the a.m.: P.M. northwest, fresh, thick fog=Shepherd loaded hay in a.m.
20 Wind northeast, brisk=Weather cloudy and light drizzling rain=Made out and mailed bird reports.
21 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather wet but mild, drizzling rain=Messenger loaded all the up freight.
22 Wind southwest to northwest, moderate=Drizzling rain & very muddy=Mrs. A. Leins died this morning.
23 Wind west and southwest, moderate=Weather damp and disagreeable=Roads very muddy.
24 Sun Wind southwest, light to brisk=Milder but cloudy=Mrs. A. Leins buried today=The Misses Kinney visited tower.
25 Wind northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy & colder but pleasant=Quite a few passing boats today.
26 Wind southwest, moderate to east, fresh=Eve: southeast gale=Stewart arrived up on her last trip=Mackinac down also last trip.
27 Wind east-northeast, gale with snow & sleet=P.M. southeast, fresh & cloudy=Roads in bad condition.
28 Wind southwest, fresh to northeast, gale=Light snow & colder=Several boats run back=J.B. Morris & wife arrive this evening.
29 Wind west-northwest, very fresh to fresh=Weather blustery and snowing a little=First sleighs.
30 Wind west, fresh=Weather cloudy but pleasant=J.B. Morris & wife left for home=Mailed monthly reports= Barge Messenger loaded for above.
December 1889
1 Sun Wind southwest, fresh=Weather part clear and milder=Many boats passing up and down today.
2 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy & mild=Eve: rain=City of Alpena down 3 P.M. on her last trip of season.
3 Wind northeast, blowing a gale=Weather cold and cloudy=Only two boats seen today on the lake.
4 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy and cold=Quite a few boats passing=Propr. R.L. Brittain loaded mdse.
5 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather sleeting in the a.m. and cloudy and soft in the P.M.=Very few boats seen today.
6 Wind westerly, fresh=Weather clear, mild and pleasant=Only three boats seen passing today.
7 Wind west-southwest, fresh=Weather clear and mild=Not a boat seen passing today.
8 Sun Wind east-southeast, fresh=Weather mild: light rain and thick fog=No boats heard today.
9 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather clear and fine=One steambarge and one sail boat down today.
10 Wind east and southeast, blowing a gale=Light rain in the afternoon=Eve: 10 P.M. thunder, lightning and heavy rain.
11 Wind west, fresh, to southwest, moderate=Cloudy but mild & pleasant=Tug Balize with Schr. Red Wing in tow passed down today. She went ashore at Hammond’s Bay and released.
12 Wind southwest to south, moderate=Weather mild and very pleasant=Tug Swain passed down with the schr Iron Queen in tow. The latter was ashore on Grey’s Reef and released.
13 Wind northwest, fresh=Weather cloudy but pleasant=No boats seen passing here today.
14 Wind northeast, fresh, to southwest, moderate=Light snow in the a.m.=P.M. cloudy and quite mild.
15 Sun Wind southwest, moderate=Weather mild and pleasant=No snow nor ice=Fish tug passed down this P.M.
16 Wind south to southeast, moderate to fresh=Weather wet, mild, light rain=No signs of any boats today.
17 Wind northeast, brisk=Weather mild and wet: light rain in P.M. And evening=Not a sign of a boat today.
18 Wind southeast and south, moderate=Weather wet and mild: light rain and very muddy.
19 Wind west and southwest, moderate=Weather cloudy but very mild and pleasant: damp.
20 Wind northeast to northwest, fresh=Weather raining and mild=No boats seen since Sunday.
21 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather mild and pleasant=9 P.M. E.S.E. gale: rain & hail=Steambarge Mary Groh passed up at noon. At 2 P.M. tugs Swain and Owen with pontoons passed up going to the Schr David Dows sunk near Chicago.
22 Sun Wind west, blowing a gale=Weather cloudy but mild: no snow nor ice and nothing to prevent boats running.
23 Wind southwest, moderate=Weather clear, mild, pleasant=Sea Gull, a small scow steambarge, passed up.
24 Wind south and southeast=Weather wet but mild=T.& J.S. Thomson’s safe blown up by burglars last night.
25 Wind southwest and south, moderate=Weather clear, mild and pleasant=A lovely day for Christmas.
26 Wind west-southwest, blowing a gale-P.M. northwest, fresh=Weather part clear, cooler, but pleasant.
27 Wind southwest, fresh=Weather clear, cooler but very pleasant and more like Spring than winter.
28 Wind southwest, moderate: P.M. southeast=Weather part clear and mild and very pleasant=Eve: fresh.
29 Sun Wind south, very fresh, and southwest, gale=Weather very warm, part cloudy and very pleasant.
30 Wind west-northwest, fresh=Weather colder but pleasant=C.M. Oldfield’s bridge to dock washed away.
31 Wind east, very fresh=Weather part clear, pleasant=No ice nor snow=Made out reports today. Steam barge Osceola passed up just before daylight in the morning.