Standing proudly at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River is the Alpena Light—affectionately known as “Little Red” or the “Thunder Bay River Lighthouse”. The light has guided ships in and out of Alpena’s harbor for more than a century. While it may not be the tallest or most ornate of Michigan’s lighthouses, this small, bright red beacon holds a big place in the region’s maritime story.
Lighting the Way for Alpena’s Lumber Industry
The history of the Alpena Light is closely tied to the rise of the local timber industry. As Alpena boomed in the mid-1800s, the Thunder Bay River became a bustling shipping route for logs, lumber, and later, rolls of paper and newsprint.
As early as 1857, local lumbermen petitioned for a lighthouse to guide ships safely into the harbor. Congress eventually approved funding in 1867, though it was first intended for nearby Trowbridge Point. After further appeals, the U.S. Lighthouse Board wisely recommended moving the light to the mouth of the Thunder Bay River. There it could better serve Alpena’s growing port.
The First and Second Lights
The first Alpena Light was established in 1875 as a temporary “pole light” about ten miles offshore. Two years later, in 1877, Major Godfrey Weitzel designed a permanent wooden tower—a brown, pyramidal structure with a Sixth Order Fresnel lens.
Tragically, the wooden lighthouse was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1888, which swept through much of Alpena. Keeper E.G. Howard heroically saved the keeper’s dwelling and quickly erected another temporary pole light to keep the harbor safe.
A piece of that early history still survives—the original fog bell is now displayed at the Huron Lights Museum north of town.
The Third and Current Light (1914–Present)
The current Alpena Light was built in 1914, replacing its predecessors with a more durable, steel-frame design meant to withstand the harsh Lake Huron weather. It’s a one-of-a-kind structure—lighthouse historian Russ Rowlett notes it’s the only surviving example of its type in the U.S.
Originally painted black, the tower was repainted a bright red in 1950 to improve its visibility by day. The locals loved the color and quickly nicknamed it “Little Red.”
The Alpena Light stands 34 feet tall, not 80 feet as some sources mistakenly claim. Its original Fresnel lens now resides at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, and the current lens was installed around 1996.
Automation came in 1974, but from 1878 to 1965, five dedicated lighthouse keepers tended this light through storms, fog, and freezing winters.
Sounding the Alarm: The Fog Horn and Other Features
Alpena Light’s fog signal has evolved through the decades—from a manual fog bell in 1891, to an electric alarm in 1920. Finally to the automated fog horn that still sounds today.
An oil storage building once stood nearby, built in 1896, but was removed after electrification. Despite these changes, the lighthouse continues to faithfully mark the harbor entrance. It continues to serve as an active aid to navigation.
A Symbol of Alpena’s Maritime Spirit
Over the years, “Little Red” has become more than just a navigational aid—it’s a symbol of Alpena’s identity. The lighthouse appears on postcards and souvenir. It was included in the 1999 Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival stamp pictorial cancellation.
Locals have come up with colorful nicknames and sayings, like “Don’t kick the can,” in reference to the light’s shape. Some might joke it’s “long on duty, short on beauty,” but for most, Alpena Light represents perseverance—a fitting emblem for this hardworking harbor town.
The best views of the light are from the City of Alpena Marina docks. There visitors can watch freighters pass close by on their way through Thunder Bay.
Preservation and Legacy
In 2006, the Alpena Light was added to both the National Register of Historic Places and Michigan’s state inventory. Five years later, in 2011, the General Services Administration made it available—along with other historic lights—to any public organization willing to preserve it.
Thankfully, “Little Red” remains in operation today. It continues its long-standing duty as both a guide for mariners and a beloved local landmark.
Though small in stature, the Alpena Light has shined brightly through fire, storms, and time itself. From guiding lumber schooners in the 1800s to welcoming pleasure boats today, this steadfast beacon has earned its place among Michigan’s most endearing lighthouses. Next time you’re in Alpena, stroll the marina, snap a photo of “Little Red,” and take a moment to appreciate this enduring piece of Northern Michigan history.
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