Round Island Light

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 Lighthouse Built for a Dangerous Passage

Round Island itself posed a serious hazard to navigation. This made a lighthouse here a practical necessity rather than a convenience. Built in 1895, the Round Island Light was designed to complement other navigational aids in the Straits. It created a safer corridor for commercial and passenger vessels. Constructed of painted brick with a red stone base and a wood tower, its appearance has often been compared to a one-room schoolhouse. An endearing nickname that has stuck for generations.

The lighthouse was built under the direction of Mackinac Island mason-carpenter Frank Rounds and funded by a predecessor agency of today’s U.S. Coast Guard. It is a near twin of the Two Harbors Light in Minnesota. This reflects the standardized lighthouse designs used throughout the Great Lakes during this era.

Years of Service and Sudden Abandonment

From 1895 until 1947, the Round Island Light operated as a fully staffed lighthouse and fog signal. It guided ships through fog, storms, and darkness. In 1947, however, the light was officially decommissioned and replaced by the Round Island Passage Light, an automated tower located nearby in the Round Island Channel.

Once abandoned, the lighthouse quickly fell into disrepair. Vandals and plunderers stripped the structure, and decades of exposure took a heavy toll. By the early 1970s, the lighthouse was in dire condition. In 1972, a powerful storm caused part of the structure to collapse, nearly sealing its fate.

Preservation and a Second Chance

That collapse became the catalyst for preservation. In 1974, the Round Island Light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, followed by its designation as a Michigan Historic Site in 1978. Emergency stabilization work began in the 1970s, including the placement of riprap around the base to prevent further erosion.

A major restoration effort finally took shape in the mid-1990s. Led by the Friends of the Round Island Lighthouse and the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, the project brought together volunteers, including Boy Scouts from Troop 323. It received funding from the State of Michigan. Contributions were boosted through Michigan’s lighthouse specialty license plate program, local fundraising, and a $125,000 appropriation from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Thanks to the success of this effort, the U.S. Coast Guard granted permission to relight the lighthouse. In 1996—nearly 50 years after it went dark—the Round Island Light once again shone over the Straits.

More Than a Lighthouse

Today, the original brick oil house and outhouse still stand. They are rare survivors that add to the site’s historical integrity. The lighthouse also plays a ceremonial role in Great Lakes boating history. Along with Biddle’s Point on Mackinac Island, it marks the finish line of the iconic Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, a tradition that has endured since 1898.

Beyond maritime history, the Round Island Light found a place in popular culture as well. It was prominently featured in the 1980 film Somewhere in Time, further cementing its status as a recognizable symbol of the Straits of Mackinac.

Though not open to the public, the Round Island Light remains one of Northern Michigan’s most photographed and admired lighthouses. It is a resilient reminder of the region’s deep connection to Great Lakes navigation, preservation, and storytelling.

Explore our full collection of Northern Michigan lighthouse stories here

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

📍 Explore the Map Below

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.