Archives

At the entrance to Siskiwit Bay on Lake Superior, a solitary lighthouse stands on Menagerie Island, the easternmost of a small cluster of islands along Isle Royale’s southern shore. Known as the Isle Royale Light or Menagerie Island Light, this station reflects the challenges of navigation in one of the most remote and storm exposed regions of the Great Lakes. A Remote Setting on Lake Superior The waters surrounding Isle Royale have long been known for sudden weather changes and powerful storms. Siskiwit Bay, while offering a degree of shelter, lies within a rugged landscape that demanded careful navigation. Mariners… Read More »

Standing in the waters of the Straits of Mackinac, the Round Island Passage Light marks one of the most important navigation routes connecting Lakes Michigan and Huron. Though built later than many of Michigan’s historic beacons, it represents a period when modern technology and changing maritime needs reshaped lighthouse construction on the Great Lakes. A Channel of Constant Movement The Round Island Channel has long served as a key passage for vessels traveling through the Straits. As shipping traffic increased during the late nineteenth century, the need for reliable navigation aids became clear. Constructed in 1895 on nearby Round Island… Read More »

On the southern shore of Lake Superior, the small harbor at Grand Marais tells a story shaped by wind, water, and the steady movement of ships. Today, two slender white towers stand along the west pier, guiding vessels just as they have for more than a century. Known as the Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge Inner and Outer Lights, these paired beacons reflect both the ambitions of Great Lakes commerce and the practical challenges of navigating one of the world’s most powerful inland seas. Building a Harbor of Refuge In the late nineteenth century, shipping traffic on Lake Superior increased… Read More »

Northern Michigan’s Rugged Lake Guardian Nestled in the northeast waters of Lake Michigan, between Beaver Island and the mainland, lies Ile Aux Galets, more commonly known as Skillagalee Island. This low, gravelly island—roughly seven miles northwest of Cross Village in Emmet County—is home to a lighthouse. It has protected mariners from the treacherous shoals of Waugoshance Point for over a century. Along with nearby Grays Reef, Waugoshance, and White Shoal Lights, Ile Aux Galets Light stands as a vital warning beacon for ships navigating these perilous waters. A Name with History The island’s French name, Ile Aux Galets, translates to… Read More »

For more than six decades, the USCGC Acacia (WLB-406) quietly shaped commerce, safety, and navigation on the Great Lakes. Built during World War II and retired in 2006, Acacia was the last of the Coast Guard’s 180-foot buoy tenders to leave active service. Her story is one of endurance, adaptability, and essential—but often overlooked—maritime labor. Today, preserved as a museum ship in Manistee, Acacia stands as a rare physical link to the era when buoy tenders formed the backbone of Great Lakes navigation. Built for War, Designed for the Lakes Acacia was constructed at the Zenith Dredge Company shipyard in… Read More »

Guarding a Shallow Passage in Lake Huron At the northern end of Lake Huron, where deep water gives way to hidden hazards, the Fourteen Foot Shoal Lighthouse quietly does its job. Named for the fact that the lake is only fourteen feet deep at this point, the lighthouse marks a dangerous shoal. This area has long challenged ships and mariners navigating these busy waters. While it’s not a lighthouse most people ever step inside, its role in Great Lakes navigation has been critical for nearly a century. A Strategic Location on Lake Huron Fourteen Foot Shoal Lighthouse stands in U.S…. Read More »

Guiding Ships Through the Hazards of Lake Superior Rising above the rocky Huron Islands near Big Bay, Huron Island Light stands watch over one of the most treacherous stretches of Lake Superior. Often hidden by fog and surrounded by reefs and shoals, this lighthouse has played a quiet but critical role in Great Lakes navigation for more than 150 years. Though rarely seen and even more rarely visited, it remains an active reminder of the region’s maritime past. A Dangerous Crossroads on Lake Superior As shipping and commerce expanded in the mid-19th century—especially during the copper boom of the Keweenaw… Read More »

A Private Lighthouse on the St. Marys River Round Island Light sits quietly on Round Island in the St. Marys River, just about a mile from the Ontario border. While many Michigan lighthouses are open to the public or managed by preservation groups, this one tells a different story. It tells a story of river traffic, changing technology, and a remarkable private restoration that gave new life to a long-darkened light. Guiding Ships Between Two Great Lakes The St. Marys River serves as the vital connection between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. After the Soo Locks opened in 1855, ship… Read More »

Michigan’s Highest Lighthouse Above Sea Level Perched dramatically atop a 175-foot cliff on the north end of Grand Island near Munising, the Grand Island North Light Station—often called the Old North Light—has guided vessels along Lake Superior for more than a century. Remote, rugged, and rich in history, this lighthouse played an important role during a pivotal era of Great Lakes shipping. Today, it stands as a well-preserved reminder of Michigan’s maritime past and rightfully listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Why Grand Island Needed a Lighthouse The need for a lighthouse on Grand Island grew out of… Read More »