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 were first lit in 1868. Its purpose was to guide ships through the often-challenging waters near Munising and Grand Island. Like other range light systems, the front and rear lights worked together. When a vessel aligned the two lights, it indicated a safe course into the harbor.
The original front range light was a simple wooden pyramid tower equipped with a sixth-order Fresnel lens. The rear range light stood 500 feet behind it and consisted of a wooden tower mounted atop a frame keeper’s house. This also used a sixth-order Fresnel lens. Together, these lights helped protect shipping traffic vital to the region’s iron and lumber industries.
From Wood to Steel: A 1914 Transformation
By the early 20th century, time and harsh Lake Superior weather had taken their toll. By 1914, both original wooden structures were badly rotted and deemed beyond repair. As part of a larger effort to modernize Great Lakes harbor lights, steel structures replaced the original range lights.
The new front range light became a 23-foot iron mast. The rear range light was rebuilt 750 feet farther back. The 1914 rear range one of the talles triveted steel plate lighthouses towers on the Great Lakes rose to an impressive 64 feet. Notably, the upper portion of the tower was repurposed from a lighthouse originally located at Vidal Shoals near Sault Ste. Marie, giving the structure a unique second life.
Technology Changes and Deactivation
A 350-millimeter glass lenses that continued to use acetylene gas replaced the original Fresnel Lenses in 1939. By the late 1960s, newer navigation technology made the historic range system obsolete. A D-9- style tubular steel structure replaced the front range light in 1968. By 1969, both range lights were officially deactivated.
Although the front range light was replaced and eventually removed, the rear range light survived. Recognized in 1990 for its historical importance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Lighthouse Today
The Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Light still stands as a striking steel conical tower. The light is painted black on the lower half and white on the upper section. A black lantern room sits at the top. The tower sits on a concrete foundation and features a metal door at its base. An interior spiral staircase leads upward.
While the lighthouse is no longer operational, the grounds are open to the public. Reaching the site requires a hike. Thus, it is a rewarding destination for lighthouse enthusiasts and history lovers willing to venture a bit off the beaten path.
A Quiet Landmark with a Lasting Legacy
Though it no longer guides ships through fog and darkness, the Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Light remains a powerful reminder of Northern Michigan’s maritime past. Standing tall at the end of the road, it reflects an era when sturdy steel towers and carefully aligned lights kept commerce moving and sailors safe along Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline.
For those exploring the Munising area, this historic lighthouse offers a peaceful connection to the region’s rich nautical heritage—well worth the walk to see it in person.
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