<p>I've spent many hours watching Lake Superior from this vantage point and this lighthouse is an old friend.  Two years ago the US Coast Guard announced that the original fresnel lens would be removed from the lighthouse as it had deteriorated over the 100 years that it had been on display.  The plan was to replace the lamp and lens with a modern LED optic.  The Coast Guard asked for comments on this plan and I sent my comment.  I believe that removing the lens changes the character and historic nature of the light.  I suggested that they investigate replacing the lens with a high quality replica fresnel lens that are now being produced by a company in Florida.  The could even light the lens with an LED lamp.  
</p><p>Alas, they didn't follow my advice and sometime over the winter they replaced it with a modern LED optic. It still has the characteristic red flash, but it no longer has the red panels, the warm glow of the fresnel lens and electric incandescent lamp.
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For a look at what this lighthouse used to look like, go here:  <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://flic.kr/p/brX9kR">flic.kr/p/brX9kR</a>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/9197427@N06">Pete Markham</a> from Loretto, USA
CC BY-SA 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pmarkham/25987998932/">Duluth North Pier Lighthouse - February 2016</a>