Lee Radzak: 36 Years of Service at Split Rock Lighthouse

Since it first opened in 1910, Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior has only been entrusted to a handful of head lighthouse keepers. In April 2019, Split Rock’s latest and longest resident keeper, Lee Radzak, will retire after 36 years in the role and 42 at the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS). When Radzak first started the job at Split Rock Lighthouse in 1982 after six years as an MNHS archaeologist, he and his wife Jane took up residence in one of three historic keepers’ houses at the site. They have spent almost 40 years living and caring for one of Minnesota’s most popular tourist attractions, and the couple easily holds the record for the longest residents at Split Rock Lighthouse in its nearly 110-year history.