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To those who first saw the Great Lakes, only the salt was missing. Ships that navigated the Great Lakes faced hazards that required a system of lighthouses that extended from the Atlantic Ocean to Chicago and Duluth. At one time, more than 100 lighthouses dotted the night sky in Michigan. Humongous freighters from coastal ports all over the world would call at Michigan's ports.
Today, the massive lenses that once magnified light from oil lamps that required constant tending by humans now focus electric light controlled by computers.
The popularity of lighthouses in every generation is evident when you realize the large number of lighthouse sites on the World Wide Web. Some sites are specific to the Great Lakes and Michigan's Lights. Visitors may relive lighthouse history, from 1825 to now, at Beacons in the Night. Below, please enjoy an introduction to several of our most popular regional lighthouses. |
Straits of Mackinac |
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Waugoshance Lighthouse Lake Michigan Waugochance lighthouse was abandoned by the Coast Guard in 1912 and replaced by the White Shoal Light. A unique feature of this light is the "birdcage" style lantern room. At one time this light had an iron skirt wrapped around the stone tower, but it has since fallen into Lake Michigan. Waugochance is haunted by the ghost of John Herman. |
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Skillagalee Lighthouse Lake Michigan When we fly to Michigan's Upper Peninsula we often pass over the "Ile Aux Galets" - French for "the Island of Pebbles" From 3,000 feet you can see the dangerous sand bars reaching out from the island. The light station outbuildings were torn down in 1969. Skillagalee is automated and still operating. |
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White Shoal Lighthouse Lake Michigan White Shoal Light is located at the northern end of Lake Michigan. It went into service in 1910. It is the only red and white barber pole striped lighthouse on the Great Lakes. M.A.P. has both summer and winter aerial photographs of White Shoal. The winter shot is the most popular. |
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Gray's Reef Lighthouse Lake Michigan Gray's Reef Lighthouse is located near the Lake Michigan shipping channel as it enters the Straits of Mackinac. This lighthouse is similar to the Minneapolis Shoal Light which is also in Lake Michigan, close to Wisconsin. Notice the large antenna on the very top of the tower. |
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St. Helena Island Lighthouse Lake Michigan St. Helena Island Lighthouse is located in the Straits of Mackinac, west of the Mackinac Bridge. The tower, keepers quarters, and out buildings have been restored by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association |
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Beaver Island |
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Beaver Island Lighthouse Lake Michigan Beaver Island (Beaver Head) Lighthouse is located at the southern end of Beaver Island. |
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St. James Harbor Lighthouse Lake Michigan St. James Harbor Light is located on the northeast side of Beaver Island and at the entrance to St. James Harbor. It is a brick tower that stands 41 feet high. The light is active and welcomes ships from all over the Great Lakes. |
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South Fox Island |
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South Fox Island Lighthouse Lake Michigan South Fox Island really has two lights located on the southern tip of the island. The lights and keeper’s quarters are abandoned, but are in fairly good condition, and there is an effort to save them. |
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Leland |
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North Manitou Shoal Lighthouse Lake Michigan North Manitou Shoal Lighthouse is located halfway between North Manitou Island and the mainland. It is an active light and not open to the public |
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South Manitou Island Lighthouse Lake Michigan The picturesque South Manitou Light is located on the southeast tip of South Manitou Island. A ferry from Leland, Michigan serves this island. The light is open to the public |
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Harbor Springs |
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Little Traverse - Harbor Point Lighthouse is located at the southern tip of Harbor Point, an exclusive residential section of Harbor Springs, Michigan, complete with guards and gates. It is now a private residence and inactive. |
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Petoskey |
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Petoskey Pierhead Lighthouse Lake Michigan It is located at the end of the Petoskey, Michigan breakwater. In the background is Harbor Springs, across Little Traverse Bay from Petoskey |
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Charlevoix |
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Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse Lake Michigan The steel skeletal tower was built in 1948 replacing an older 1914 tower. A wooden tower was originally erected in 1885. |
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Traverse City |
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Old Mission Point Lighthouse is located at the northern tip of Old Mission Point, separating Grand Traverse Bay into east and west bays. The light sets on the 45th parallel of latitude, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. |
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Grand Traverse Lighthouse Lake Michigan Grand Traverse Light is located at the tip of Leelanau Peninsula separating Lake Michigan from Grand Traverse Bay. |
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Empire |
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Manning Memorial Lighthouse is a memorial to Robert H. Manning, a resident of Empire. It is located at the Empire public beach |
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Frankfort |
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Point Betsie Lighthouse near Frankfort is considered to be Michigan's most photographed lighthouse. |
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Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse Lake Michigan Frankfort Breakwater light is located at the end of the north breakwater. It is a square steel tower. |
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Manistee |
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Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse Lake Michigan This is a steel conical tower located at the end of the north breakwater. It stands thirty nine feet high |
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Ludington |
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Big Sable Point Lighthouse is the only light with a black ring day mark. |
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Ludington North Pierhead Lighthouse Lake Michigan. The front of the lighthouse is shaped like the bow of a ship which helps to shed the waves and ice of Lake Michigan. |
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All photographs ©Lynn Marvin's aerial photography and are used here with permission
To visit Lynn Marvins website click on any photograph above. A new window will open. |
