Standing along the Lake Michigan shoreline west of Mackinaw City, McGulpin Point Lighthouse reflects an early chapter in the effort to guide vessels through the often-challenging waters of the Straits of Mackinac. First illuminated in 1869, the light served mariners during a period when safe passage through the Straits was becoming increasingly important to Great Lakes commerce.
A Light for the Straits
Constructed by the United States Lighthouse Board at a cost of twenty thousand dollars, McGulpin Point Light was designed as a combined tower and keeper’s dwelling. The one and a half story brick residence supported a cylindrical tower. As a result, it formed a practical and durable station suited to the region’s demanding weather.
The design proved successful enough that similar plans were later used for other Great Lakes lighthouses, including Eagle Harbor, White River, and Sand Island. In addition, architectural historians often describe the style as Norman Gothic, reflecting its distinctive proportions and details.
Keeper James Davenport
James Davenport served as the station’s only lighthouse keeper, maintaining the light for twenty-seven years. His role extended beyond daily maintenance and routine duties. Correspondence preserved in national archives reveals that Davenport regularly reported on ice conditions in the Straits.
These reports were valuable to shipping interests and lighthouse authorities, helping determine when navigation could safely resume each spring. In this way, the work of a single keeper influenced the seasonal rhythm of Great Lakes commerce.
Deactivation and Private Ownership
By the early twentieth century, improvements in navigation infrastructure altered the role of individual lights. In 1906, McGulpin Point Light was deactivated when officials determined that the nearby Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse provided sufficient guidance through the Straits.
Following its closure, the lantern room was removed and the structure passed into private ownership. For many years, the former lighthouse served as a residence, its maritime origins gradually fading from public view.
Restoration and Relighting
Interest in preserving the lighthouse grew in the early twenty first century. After the property was placed on the market, Emmet County acquired the site in 2008. As a result, they secured both the building and surrounding lakefront land.
Restoration efforts included reconstructing the missing lantern room, fabricated by a Michigan based ironworks company. The lighthouse was ceremonially relit in May 2009, marking its return as an active private aid to navigation.
The relighting celebration drew hundreds of participants and featured contributions from local leaders and members of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The event reflected a shared commitment to preserving maritime heritage in the Straits region.
A Historic Site Today
Today, McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site serves both as a navigational aid and a public destination. It is owned and maintained by Emmet County. Therefore, it offers visitors a connection to the history of Great Lakes travel and the individuals who once ensured safe passage through these waters.
Though its operational life as a staffed station lasted only a few decades, the lighthouse continues to symbolize the evolving relationship between maritime technology, community stewardship, and the enduring significance of the Straits of Mackinac.
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