The View from Split Rock: A Lighthouse Keeper's Life

by Lee Radzak, Curt Brown

Split Rock Lighthouse is a Minnesota icon: a handsome structure perched atop a cliff on Lake Superior’s North Shore, gorgeous in every weather, a lonely outpost overlooking the vastness of the lake. Except that this lighthouse is not lonely. It’s one of the state’s most visited historic sites.

In 1982, Lee Radzak and his wife, Jane, moved into the middle keeper’s house, launching Lee’s career as the resident site manager for the Minnesota Historical Society. Over the next thirty-six years, they raised a family, marveled at the lake’s beauty, endured gigantic storms, and answered the questions posed by more than four million visitors.

Working with journalist and author Curt Brown, Radzak takes readers into the everyday experiences, the remarkable surprises, and the seasonal round of the life of a lighthouse keeper at Split Rock. He also discusses stories of its keepers, the technology that powered the light and the foghorns, the stunning landscape and weather of the North Shore, and his decision in 1985 to light the beacon in memory of the crew of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

Organized by season, illustrated with pictures taken by Lee and other talented photographers, this book offers a guide to life at Split Rock.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Lacey Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more history behind the lighthouse and getting firsthand accounts of those who lived there. Grateful for the love Radzak and others have put into a place that is special to so many Minnesotans.

[Josh Liller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a unique book, interspersing the author's reminisces of almost four decades as the Minnesota Historical Society's live-in site manager of Split Rock Lighthouse with the larger history of the 1910 lighthouse. Although the lighthouse is only lighted on a few special occasions and thus Radzak was a modern caretaker rather than a true keeper, his year-round residency in one of the historic keeper dwellings gives him a perspective few living people have. He covers normal topics you might imagine like weather, wildlife, visitors, and maintenance but some memorable events like the spontaneous origin of the annual Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck memorial lighting and the time a Hollywood movie filmed at the light station. There's also some insight into the operation of a historic site. Photos are a mix of historical images and the author's own photos. It's an easy yet informative read, with Radzak's first-hand accounts polished by his assistant author, an experienced author-historian. Highly recommended to anyone interested in lighthouses.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I worked at Split Rock Lighthouse from 2001 through the 2010 centennial season. We were historic site interpreters and tour guides, in costume as the U.S Lighthouse keepers and staff were in the 1920's. Lee Radzak autographed our copy of the book.

[Ellyn Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the details of the area - neighbors, how projects got worked on and other historic facts about the area and the light. Loved learning about all of it!

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures!