Lighthouses

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 »

A Sentinel of the Straits of Mackinac Rising from the open waters of northeastern Lake Michigan, the Grays Reef Light has guided ships through one of the busiest and most treacherous stretches of the Great Lakes for nearly a century. Located about 3.8 miles west of Waugoshance Island in Bliss Township, this offshore lighthouse stands as a testament to innovation, persistence, and the importance of safe navigation through the Straits of Mackinac. In recognition of its significance, Grays Reef Light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The Push for Better Lighting on Grays Reef By… Read More »

Lighting the Gaps Along Lake Huron’s Shore Tucked along the western shore of Lake Huron near Hammond Bay, Forty Mile Point Lighthouse quietly tells a story of necessity, persistence, and Great Lakes resilience. Unlike many lighthouses built to guard busy harbors or river mouths, this light exists for a different reason. It ensures mariners were never left navigating the Lake Huron shoreline in complete darkness. Why Forty Mile Point Was Built By the late 1800s, most of the Presque Isle Peninsula was already illuminated. New Presque Isle Light to the south and Spectacle Reef Lighthouse offshore cast long beams across… Read More »

A Tiny Island with a Big Lake Superior Story Perched on a rocky speck in Lake Superior, the Gull Rock Light Station is one of Northern Michigan’s most remote and vulnerable lighthouses. Located just west of Manitou Island near the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, this active light has guided mariners since 1867. It has endured relentless waves, fog, and erosion constantly testing its survival. Though closed to visitors, Gull Rock’s story is a powerful reminder of how much effort it took to make Lake Superior navigable. A Dangerous Shortcut on Lake Superior Gull Rock rises from what has been… Read More »

The Schoolhouse Lighthouse of the Straits of Mackinac Perched on the west shore of Round Island, the Round Island Light—also known as the Old Round Island Point Lighthouse—stands watch over one of the busiest and most treacherous waterways in the Great Lakes. Located directly in the shipping lanes of the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet, this lighthouse has long played a critical role. It guides vessels safely through the narrow passage. With ferries passing nearby on their way to and from Mackinac Island, the light remains a familiar and beloved landmark of Northern Michigan. A… Read More »

Munising’s End of the Road Lighthouse Tucked just off M-28 in Munising Township, the Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Light is one of Northern Michigan’s lesser-known but historically fascinating lighthouses. Also called the Bay Furnace Rear Range Light, Christmas Rear Range Light, or fittingly, the End of the Road Light, this tower once played a vital role in safely guiding vessels into Grand Island Harbor. While it no longer shines as an active aid to navigation, its story still illuminates an important chapter of Great Lakes maritime history. A Range Light System Built for Safety The Grand Island Range Lights… Read More »

Guiding Mariners Since 1858 Nestled at the tip of Michigan’s scenic Leelanau Peninsula, Grand Traverse Light has been a beacon for sailors navigating the Manitou Passage, where Lake Michigan flows into Grand Traverse Bay. Known locally as Northport Light—or sometimes “Cat’s Head Point Light”—this historic lighthouse has guided ships safely through these waters for over 160 years. Today, it’s not just a maritime landmark. It is also a charming destination for visitors exploring Michigan’s wine country and scenic shoreline. A Historic Beacon at Leelanau’s Tip The story of Grand Traverse Light begins in 1850, when President Millard Fillmore authorized construction… Read More »

Guiding Ships into a Lumber Boomtown Long before Cheboygan became a quiet harbor town, it was a bustling shipping hub shaped by lumber, lake commerce, and the steady glow of lighthouse beams. The Cheboygan Front Range Lighthouse played a crucial role in guiding vessels safely into the river during a time when shallow water and shifting sandbars made navigation risky. Its story is closely tied to the growth of the harbor. Additionally, it is connected to the people who kept its lights burning. Improving the Cheboygan Harbor In 1871, plans were adopted to dramatically improve Cheboygan Harbor by dredging the… Read More »

A Short-Lived Beacon of Michigan’s Copper Boom Perched above the south shore of Lake Superior, the Eagle River Light tells the story of a town that rose fast, thrived briefly, and then faded just as quickly. Though modest in size and operational life, this lighthouse played a vital role. It was significant during one of the most dramatic boom-and-bust eras in Northern Michigan history. Location and Early Importance The Eagle River Light is a decommissioned lighthouse located at the mouth of the Eagle River in the community of Eagle River on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Its history is closely tied to… Read More »

Guardian of the St. Marys River Point Iroquois Light sits high on a bluff in Chippewa County, quietly watching over one of the most important waterways in the Great Lakes. It marks the division between Whitefish Bay and the western end of the St. Marys River. For more than a century, this lighthouse has guided vessels traveling between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Today, its story blends Native history, early European exploration, and the evolution of Great Lakes navigation. A Place Steeped in Early History Point Iroquois refers not only to the lighthouse but also to a broader… Read More »