Split Rock Lighthouse and the state park of the same name are about 40 minutes northeast of Duluth, just down the highway from Two Harbors.  It is a very enjoyable stop on the North Shore of Lake Superior, highly recommended if you’re in the area.

This is the former staff housing and restored lighthouse keeper’s residence.

This is the former Tramway cable house.  The concrete pillars to the left once supported a railroad track which ran all the way down to Lake Superior.  It was used to haul all the materials the keeper needed from ships on the lake up to the lighthouse.  In 1934, a road was finally built to the lighthouse, and the tramway fell out of use.  Today there is a very long wooden stairway which runs beside the old tramway, down to the beach.  It’s beautiful, and it’s also quite a workout.

Photos by Troy, copyright Sonic Tremor Media LLC