Split Rock Lighthouse to light beacon Friday

Split Rock Lighthouse is celebrating its 100th birthday with a rare lighting of its beacon Friday.

The familiar landmark along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior first lit its beacon on July 31, 1910. U.S. Coast Guard regulations now prevent the light from being used consistently, but it can be turned on for occasional ceremonial purposes.

To celebrate Split Rock's centennial this year, the beacon will be turned on the first Friday of each month, from May through November. The beacon also will be lighted on July 31 - the date of the first beacon lighting - and on Nov. 10, the anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking.

The lightings will happen at sunset. The beacon will remain lit for an hour.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight.

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