Eagle Harbor Light Station

A Beacon on the Keweenaw Peninsula

Perched on the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, the Eagle Harbor Light has been guiding mariners for more than a century and a half. This striking red-brick lighthouse sits at the entrance to Eagle Harbor. A spot that was once bustling with mining activity and Great Lakes shipping. Today it shines as both an active navigational aid and a beloved historic site. It offers visitors a glimpse into the maritime heritage of Michigan’s northernmost peninsula.

Early Days of Eagle Harbor: A Harbor With Promise

Before there was a lighthouse, there was ambition. In 1844, entrepreneur Edward Taylor recognized Eagle Harbor’s commercial potential and built a short timber pier to support the booming copper mining industry. Ships increasingly entered the harbor to supply miners and transport ore, but a rocky ledge—just eight feet below the surface—posed a dangerous obstacle for deep-draft vessels. Taylor lobbied for federal support to improve the harbor and secure a proper navigational beacon, laying the groundwork for the first Eagle Harbor Light.

The First Lighthouse: Built in 1851

The original Eagle Harbor Light rose in 1851. It featured a rubble-stone keeper’s dwelling with a square wooden tower built directly into the roofline. Its octagonal wooden lantern was equipped with multiple glass panes and Lewis lamps with reflectors—technology cutting-edge for its time.

Standing just 21 feet above the foundation, the light’s elevated position on natural high ground brought the focal plane to 47 feet above lake level, giving ships a clear visual guide through Superior’s often-stormy waters.

But life at the early station was far from stable. Between 1851 and 1865, Eagle Harbor saw four different keepers come and go—some removed, one resigning, and one passing away only seven months into service. Coupled with harsh Upper Peninsula weather, the station deteriorated quickly.

A New Tower in 1871: The Lighthouse We Know Today

By 1871, it was clear a replacement was needed. The new lighthouse—still standing today—was constructed using a proven design also used for Chambers Island Light, McGulpin Point Light, White River Light, and Sand Island Light.

This updated structure included:

An octagonal red-brick tower, 10 feet in diameter
Brick walls 12 inches thick
A ten-sided cast-iron lantern
A keeper’s dwelling attached to the tower

The station was staffed by a head keeper and two assistants, reflecting its importance along one of the busiest—and most treacherous—shipping routes on Lake Superior.

Modern Era: Preservation and Continued Operation

Although the lighthouse evolved with new technologies, it remained staffed until automation. In 1999, ownership of the Eagle Harbor Light Station was transferred from the U.S. government to the Keweenaw County Historical Society, which continues to preserve and share its story. The U.S. Coast Guard still maintains the active navigational light at the top of the tower.

Today, the Eagle Harbor Light is far more than a beacon—it’s an entire historic campus.

Museums at Eagle Harbor Light Station

Visitors will find multiple museums on site, all operated by the Keweenaw County Historical Society:

Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Museum – Explore lighthouse history, keeper stories, and artifacts.
Maritime Museum – Located in the former fog signal building, this museum highlights Great Lakes shipping and navigation.
Commercial Fishing Museum – Learn about the hardworking fishing families who shaped Keweenaw history.
Keweenaw History Museum – A broader look at the peninsula’s natural and human history.
City of Bangor Shipwreck Exhibit – A fascinating display on the 1926 wreck of the City of Bangor, a dramatic Lake Superior tale involving storm, ice, and survival.

Together, these museums make Eagle Harbor one of the most immersive lighthouse experiences in Northern Michigan.

A Lighthouse That Still Shines Bright

Whether you visit for its maritime history, sweeping Lake Superior views, or the peaceful charm of Eagle Harbor itself, the Eagle Harbor Light Station offers one of the most memorable lighthouse experiences in Northern Michigan. With its still-operating beacon and rich collection of museums, it remains a place where history continues to shine—literally and figuratively—on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Explore our full collection of Northern Michigan lighthouse stories here

Start planning your trip today and explore the legacy of Michigan’s maritime history!

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Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.