About

Of the seven Lookout Stations that were manned by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on the St. Mary’s River, only Lookout #4 remains.

Beginning in 1902, lookout stations were constructed and manned up and down the St. Mary’s River. This allowed the USCG to monitor river conditions and communicate with the passing ships. Ship owners were able to send messages out to their captains at the lookout stations.

Over time the stations were outfitted with telegraph and telephone lines. Several were even equipped with television monitors. Eventually the stations outlived their usefulness. By the 1970s, all but #4 had been disestablished and taken down.

There is a volunteer community effort to restore Lookout #4. This project is spearheaded by Bruce Township, the Neebish Island Historical Society and the US Coast Guard.

This restoration cannot be accomplished without your help. Donation information is located on another page on this site (see   “donate” on menu line above). Please be generous. Become a “Shipmate of Lookout #4”.