The first Coast Guard life saving station was established in Sand Beach (now Harbor Beach) back in 1881. It was located on what is now Dow Chemical Property. That was 125 years ago.

In 1909 the life saving station crew had a new home. It was located on the Huron Milling Co. dock. The new building was a two story, 36 by 48 foot structure, placed on a crib built for that purpose. The lower floor was devoted to a boat room, in which were kept the boats, tackle and equipment. The upstairs were the crew's quarters consisting of a sitting room, hall and four double bedrooms; one for each pair of men in the crew. The new arrangements, with boats and crew in the same building, reduced delay in launching to a minimum. A tall wooden watchtower was later built near the end of the dock, so crewmen could view the entire harbor as well as have a commanding view of the lake traffic.

The tower and station remained in use until 1935 when a new Coast Guard station was built. The station was in use for other purposes until about the 1950s when it was torn down.

In 1935, Coast Guard station number three was built on a man-made island inside the harbor, just off Carrington Street. It was a large two-story frame structure. The boathouse and offices were on the first floor with the crew quarters and lounge on the second floor. A lookout tower was built on the roof of the station to command a greater view of the harbor and the lake. A Coast Guard garage was also built, and during World War II, when about 100 men were stationed in Harbor Beach, the second story was used for sleeping quarters.

Before station number three could be built, it was necessary to clear the area of the tow barge, A.B. King. The King had gone aground north of Port Hope in a storm, and it was later brought into the harbor by Frank Meyer and Son.

A contractor agreed to remove it for $1200. First it had to be pumped out until it floated. The tug "trio" towed it out into the lake 16 miles and sunk it in 240 feet of water. The first effort to sink it with dynamite failed. Holes were then cut into the bottom, and down she went.

In February, 1995, the future of the Coast Guard station looked bleak. The U.S. Department of Transportation asked that 23 stations be closed nationwide in 1996. Four of them were located in Michigan: Harbor Beach, Marquette, Manistee and Muskegon.

On January 31, 1996, the Harbor Beach station received official notice that they would be staying open, but staffing would be cut in half, and they would fall under the administration of Port Huron station. The officer in charge of the Port Huron station would also be the officer in charge in Harbor Beach. Four recruits would be added in the summer.

In September, 1996, once again they wanted to close down three lighthouses on Lake Huron: Point Aux Barques, Port Sanilac and Fort Gratiot. The reason was that with the equipment boaters have today, they were no longer needed.

Things have changed with 9-1-1. Today the Harbor Beach station has 15 coastguard people, and that could go up in the summer.

The newest station, number four, was dedicated on June 21, 1987. It is located on land next to the Harbor Beach Marina.

History was made at the Harbor Beach Coast Guard Station in March of 1989 when the first female enlisted officer-in-charge, Krystine P. Carbajal, arrived to accept command of the station. She served for four years in Harbor Beach and many changes were implemented during her tenure.

In recognition of the U.S. Coast Guard's long history in Harbor Beach, the community had a week-long celebration in August 1990, in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the service. This year, of course, is the 215th.

It was established by Congress, August 4, 1790. They have been responsible, not only for Maritime aid and rescue, but through these many years has taken on aspects of law enforcement, water safety and the fight against pollution. Implemented by Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury, the revenue cutter service, as it was originally termed, was charged with enforcement of all customs laws. Since that time, it has grown into, not only the foremost U.S. Agency for Maritime Safety, but in 1949, an established branch of the armed forces. The title Coast Guard came about on January 28, 1915, when the revenue cutter and U.S. Lifesaving service were merged. It was in 1939 that the Coast Guard Service became responsible for the lighthouses, geodetic surveys and the process of uniform steamboat inspection. Previous to this, the lighthouses were under civilian jurisdiction.