In 1830, Congress appropriated $5,000 to construct a lighthouse to be built on the east side of outer Thunder Bay Island. Construction would begin in 1831, but before the light could be activated, a storm washed over the island and the light tower was destroyed. A new light tower was constructed and completed in 1832, the first Keeper assigned Joseph Duchene resigned within 3 days, and Jesse Muncy would become the first Light Keeper. Muncy would remain in charge until 1843, until his presence on the island came into question. He was followed by William Terry who would die on the island in 1845, and his wife would become responsible for maintaining the light until a replacement could be assigned. On the west side of the island a flourishing fishing industry would begin to be built, William Cullings built the first fish camp in 1835. Michigan became a State in 1837, and surveyors finally would begin their work in the northern portion of the state in 1839. In 1842, Thunder Bay Island was designated as a federal government reservation, a status that would remain until property transfer in 2014. David D. Oliver, who had worked on the initial survey crew, would return to Thunder Bay Island in 1845, to open the first store in Alpena County. By 1846 there were 160 settlers living on the island. The fish camps operating on the island were credited with harvesting 12,000 barrels of fish, or 15% of the total fish production for the United States and Canada.