Lighthouses

A Beacon Born from Necessity Long before a lighthouse ever stood at the mouth of the Cedar River, this slice of shoreline along Green Bay was already an essential stop for mariners. The river’s natural harbor offered some of the best anchorage along the west coast of the bay, making it a frequent refuge for vessels navigating between Menominee and Escanaba. But the river entrance was far from perfect—shallow, obstructed, and risky for even the most seasoned captains. As shipping traffic increased in the late 1800s and private efforts to deepen a narrow channel weren’t enough, pressure grew for federal… Read More »

Guiding the Way at the Southern Tip of Beaver Island Perched high on a bluff overlooking the southern end of Beaver Island, the Beaver Head Lighthouse has stood watch over Lake Michigan’s northern waters for more than a century and a half. Built to protect the ever-increasing number of ships traveling between Chicago and the Straits of Mackinac, it remains one of the region’s most picturesque and historically rich light stations. A Light for the Archipelago By the mid-1800s, ship traffic on Lake Michigan had grown dramatically. Recognizing the dangers posed by the tricky channels between Beaver Island and Gray’s… Read More »

Survivor of Fire and Change Where the Au Sable River meets Lake Huron, a lighthouse once stood watch over one of Michigan’s most bustling lumber towns. The Au Sable Pierhead Lighthouse was established to guide vessels safely into the mouth of the Au Sable River at Oscoda. It served as a vital harbor along Michigan’s northeastern shore. Though the river winds gently for 138 miles through the state’s northern Lower Peninsula, its meeting with Lake Huron was anything but tranquil. This was especially true in the days of lumber, mills, and massive ships. Lighting the Way for Lumber and Trade… Read More »

Guiding Ships Through Michigan’s Copper Boom Perched at the entrance to the harbor of Copper Harbor, Michigan, the Copper Harbor Lighthouse has long stood as a steadfast sentinel on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Located within Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, this lighthouse is not only a Michigan State Historic Site. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It played a vital role in guiding ships during the region’s copper mining boom. This was a time when the Keweenaw was bustling with life, industry, and opportunity. A Beacon Born from the Copper Rush As copper mining exploded across… Read More »

A Beacon in the DeTour Passage Just offshore from DeTour Village, in the waters where Lake Huron meets the St. Marys River, sits a tiny scrap of land known as Frying Pan Island. Barely more than a rocky bump in the channel, this island has played a surprisingly big role in the maritime history of Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula. Legend has it that Captain William Thorn, the first mariner to navigate the St. Marys River into Lake Superior, was once stranded here waiting out rough winds. When he came ashore, he found a cast-iron frying pan left behind by Native… Read More »

History, Hauntings, and a Stunning Lake Superior View Perched high on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior, the Big Bay Point Lighthouse is one of Michigan’s most striking and storied beacons. Located about 24 miles northwest of Marquette, this lighthouse has guided mariners and witnessed tragedy. Big Bay Point has even welcomed overnight guests as one of the few operational lighthouses that doubles as a bed and breakfast. With a blend of maritime history, mystery, and magnificent views, Big Bay Point Light has earned its spot as a true Northern Michigan gem. Guiding the Way: The Early Days of Big Bay… Read More »

Beaver Island’s Guiding Light Standing proudly at the northern end of Beaver Island is the Beaver Island Harbor Light. Also known as St. James Light or Whiskey Point Light. It has been guiding mariners through the waters of northern Lake Michigan for more than a century. Located in the small harbor town of St. James, Michigan, this charming red-brick tower is more than just a navigational beacon—it’s a piece of island history that ties together tales of fur traders, storms, and the ever-changing Great Lakes. Before there was a Lighthouse, there was Whiskey The area now known as Whiskey Point… Read More »

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… Read More »

Shining a Light on Copper Harbor Perched on the rugged shores of Lake Superior, the Copper Harbor Front Range Light has played a vital role in guiding mariners safely through one of Michigan’s most treacherous harbor entrances. The original Copper Harbor Lighthouse illuminated the general harbor area. Unfortunately, it could not safely direct ships through the narrow rock-strewn channel. This need led to the construction of the range lights in 1869. This marked a new chapter in maritime safety on Lake Superior. The Origins of Copper Harbor Range Lights The first Copper Harbor Lighthouse began operation in the spring of… Read More »

A Key Michigan Lighthouse The DeTour Passage is a vital route to Lake Superior from Lake Huron. Sitting three miles south of DeTour Village, Michigan, the DeTour Reef Light marks this important shipping channel. Nearly all freighters traveling to and from Lake Superior pass through this passage, along with countless recreational boats carefully navigating the shallow DeTour Reef. Early History: From Point DeTour to Offshore Reef The first lighthouse at Point DeTour was built in 1847. It protected mariners from the hazards of the passage. By 1931, the lighthouse was moved offshore atop DeTour Reef on a crib foundation. Constructed… Read More »

A Sentinel on Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast If you’ve ever driven along Lake Superior’s stunning shoreline near Grand Marais, you’ve probably noticed the iconic white tower of Au Sable Light standing guard over the lake. The light is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This lighthouse has a fascinating history tied to one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the Great Lakes. From shipwrecks to foggy storms, the Au Sable Light Station has been a beacon for sailors since 1874. Before 1910, this lighthouse was known as Big Sable Light. Do not confuse it with Big Sable… Read More »