Michigan Lighthouses: Western Lower Peninsula

The U.S. state of Michigan comes in two parts: the Lower Peninsula (between Lakes Huron and Michigan) and the Upper Peninsula (between Lakes Michigan and Superior). Putting the two together, the state has an astonishingly long coastline, so it is not surprising that Michigan has more lighthouses than any other U.S. state, by quite a large margin. The Directory has information on more than 130 sites.

This lighthouse heritage is well recognized. Michigan is the only state that supports lighthouse preservation with a program of annual grants from the state to local preservation groups. All over the state, volunteers are working hard to save and restore lighthouses. There is a state preservation society, the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, and the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association is also based in the state.

This page includes lighthouses of the west coast of the Lower Peninsula, which faces Lake Michigan. There's another page for the east coast.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. USCG numbers are from Volume VII of the United States Coast Guard Light List.

Grand Traverse Light, Traverse City, August 2006
anonymous Creative Commons photo

General Sources
Seeing the Lights: The Lighthouses of Michigan: A wonderful site by Terry Pepper, with fine photos, accounts of recent visits to many of the lighthouses, and extensive historical information.
Michigan Lighthouses: Excellent photos and information posted by Kraig Anderson.
Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: Maintained by Neil Schultheiss, this very fine site has excellent photos and accounts for most of the state's lighthouses.
Lighthouses in Michigan, United States: Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Lake Michigan Lighthouses: Photos by C.W. Bash.
Coast Guard Lighthouses - Michigan: Historic photos and notes, posted by the U.S. Coast Guard Historian's office.
Leuchttürme USA auf historischen Postkarten: Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
National Maritime Inventory - Michigan: National Park Service inventory of Michigan lighthouse data.
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: GLLKA encourages lighthouse preservation throughout the Great Lakes states, but it is best known for its work preserving the Round Island and St. Helena Island Lights in the Straits of Mackinac area.
Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy: This organization is dedicated to the preservation of lighthouses and life saving stations throughout the state.
Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival: Based in Alpena, the festival is held annually in mid October and supports preservation efforts, especially for lighthouses of northwest Lake Huron and the Mackinac Straits area.
Michigan Lighthouse Project: Information posted by the Michigan Department of State, which administers state grants for lighthouse preservation.

Western Straits of Mackinac Lighthouses
McGulpins Point (McGulpin Point): 1869. Inactive since 1906 (but relighting is scheduled for 30 May 2009); to be white flash every 4 s. Approx. 40 ft (12 m) octagonal cylindrical brick tower attached to 2-story Norman Gothic brick keeper's house. Anderson has good current photos and driving directions, and Google has a satellite view. A private residence, very well maintained. In 2005 the property was for sale for $1.75 million; by early 2008 the price had been lowered to $975,000. With no buyers in sight, Emmet County Commissioners voted in June to purchase the property for $720,000. In April 2009, the Commissioners agreed to purchase two adjoining lots for future parking and a possible museum. Also in April, a replica lantern was installed. A relighting celebration is scheduled for May 30. Located at the end of Headlands Road about 3 miles (5 km) west of Mackinaw City. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-487.
Waugoshance: 1851. Inactive since 1912. 76 ft (23 m) ruined round brick tower, formerly encased in iron, mounted on a stone crib. Very rare original "birdcage" lantern. A good 2007 photo is available, Anderson has wintry aerial photos, and Marinas.com also has aerial photos. Previously used for bombing and strafing practice, the lighthouse is gravely endangered and deteriorating. Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List. The Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society has begun working on the preservation of the lighthouse; the first priority is raising funds to stabilize the building. The Coast Guard authorized the fundraising, and the Society was negotiating a lease on the light station. In 2009 the lighthouse became available for transfer under NHLPA. Located about 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Waugoshance Island. Accessible only by boat in dangerous waters. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-874.
Traverse Area Lighthouses
Little Traverse (Harbor Point): 1884. Inactive since 1963. 40 ft (12 m) square cylindrical brick tower, unpainted, attached church-style to a 1-1/2 story brick keeper's house. Lantern painted white with a red roof. The original 4° Fresnel lens is still mounted in the tower. Very rare square pyramidal wood fog bell tower (1896) with the original striking mechanism intact. The modern light (focal plane 73 ft (22 m), green flash every 6 s) is on a 41 ft (12.5 m) steel skeletal tower, painted white, on the point east of the lighthouse. Marinas.com has aerial photos, and the Coast Guard has historic photos. The lighthouse is located at the end of Harbor Point, a gated community in Harbor Springs. Visible from boats entering or leaving the harbor; also visible on harbor tours from Petoskey available in season. Site and tower generally closed; in recent years guided tours have been available once or twice each year. Owner/site manager: Harbor Point Association. ARLHS USA-444; USCG 7-17855.
* State Street Pier: 1963? Active; focal plane 38 ft (11.5 m); continuous red light. Navigation light mounted atop a cupola centered on the roof of a restaurant on the pier. Charles Dawley has a closeup photo. This light was installed around the time the Harbor Point lighthouse was deactivated. Located on East Bay Street at the foot of State Street, off MI 119 in downtown Harbor Springs. Site and restaurant open. Site manager: Stafford's The Pier Restaurant. ARLHS USA-1326; USCG 7-17865.
[Petoskey]: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 44 ft (13.5 m); red flash every 2.5 s. 33 ft (10 m) round "D9" round cylindrical steel tower, painted white, on a red square concrete base. This is one of many modern pierhead lights of similar design throughout the Great Lakes, but it is highly visible and is regarded locally as a lighthouse. In the winter of 2006 a violent storm damaged the breakwater, but the light was not affected. Located at the end of the breakwater at the entrance to the harbor. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-1085; USCG 7-17915.
* Charlevoix South Pierhead (2): 1948 (station established 1885). Active; focal plane 41 ft (12.5 m); red flash every 4 s. Approx. 40 ft (12 m) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower, upper 2/3 enclosed. Lighthouse painted red, lantern black. Fog horn (blast every 30 s) as needed. Anderson has a good photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This modern light replaced an 1885 wood tower. The keeper's house was demolished in 1984, and the land on which it stood is now a city park. In 2005, the lighthouse became available for transfer under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, and it has been transferred to the City of Charlevoix. In 2008, windows were replaced in a project to make the structure watertight. In 2009 the formerly-white lighthouse was repainted red, its color prior to 1968. Restoration of the interior is in progress. A web site for the lighthouse has been launched. Located on the pierhead at the foot of Grant Street in downtown Charlevoix, 2 blocks west of US 31. Parking available near the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Owner: City of Charlevoix. Site manager: Charlevoix Historical Society. ARLHS USA-156; USCG 7-17925.
**** Grand Traverse (Northport) (2): 1858 (station established 1852). Inactive since 1972. 47 ft (14.5 m) square cylindrical brick tower rising from 2-1/2 story brick keeper's house. Building painted white, roof red, lantern black. Brick fog signal building (1899) and oil house. Diaphone fog signal (1934, inactive since 1966) restored in 2000 and operated on Saturdays in the summer. Modern light (1972; focal plane 50 ft (15 m); white flash every 6 s) on a 41 ft (12.5 m) square cylindrical steel skeletal tower. A photo appears at the top of this page, an article in the Northern Michigan Journal has the history of the light station, Marinas.com has aerial photos, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. The light station is a museum; 4° Fresnel lens (1870) on display. The Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation has worked since 1987 to restore and maintain the lighthouse. In 2001, a state grant of $14,500, matched by private donations, was used to repaint the building. The 150th anniversary of the light station was celebrated on July 20, 2002. Lighthouse Digest has a March 2003 feature on preservation efforts. Ownership of the light station was transferred to the state on September 22, 2003. In 2006, an urgent appeal was made for $45,000 needed for urgent repair of moisture damage to the foundation and floor joists. Since 2004, volunteer keepers spend two-week tours of duty at the lighthouse. Located at the end of MI 201 on the point separating Traverse Bay from Lake Michigan. Site open (state park entry fee), museum and tower open daily May through October, also weekends in November. Owner: Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (Leelanau State Park). Site manager: Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. ARLHS USA-332; USCG 7-18110.
Beaver, Fox, and Manitou Islands Lighthouses
Squaw Island: 1892. Inactive since 1928. Approx. 15 m (50 ft) octagonal cylindrical brick tower attached to a 2-story brick Norman Gothic keeper's house. The building is unpainted red brick; lantern is painted black. Brick fog signal building and brick oil house. A good closeup is available, and Anderson has aerial photos. Private residence. Lighthouse Digest has an article on the history of the light station, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo. This lighthouse, long abandoned, was in very poor condition until the present owner began restoring it. Located on a remote island 6 miles (10 km) northwest of St. James (Beaver Island). Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-786.

South Fox Island (1): 1867. Inactive since 1934. 30 ft (9 m) round cylindrical brick tower attached church-style to a brick keeper's house. The 4° Fresnel lens from this lighthouse is now displayed in the tower of Old Presque Isle Light (see above). Building painted white, lantern white with a red roof. Previously abandoned and endangered by neglect. In October 2000 the state proposed a land swap with David Johnson, the developer who owns most of the island; the swap would have placed the light station under private control. Strong opposition from preservationists led the developer to scale back his plans in November 2001, leaving the station in state ownership. In late 2004, the Fox Island Lighthouse Association was organized to work for restoration of the South Fox Island lighthouses. Volunteers have been working steadily since then, and there has been considerable progress in stabilizing and refurbishing the light station buildings. Located at the southernmost tip of the island. Accessible only by boat; passenger ferry service is available and camping on the island is permitted. Site and tower closed. Owner: Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Site manager: Fox Island Lighthouse Association. ARLHS USA-771.
South Fox Island (2): 1905 (relocated here in 1934). Inactive since 1959. 60 ft (18 m) square pyramidal cast iron "Sanibel class" skeletal tower with central cylinder, lantern, and gallery. Originally built in 1905 at Sapelo Island, Georgia, the lighthouse was dismantled and transferred to this site in 1934. The Coast Guard has a photo of South Fox Island showing both towers, and a historic photo of this tower at Sapelo Island. When it was active, the lighthouse was painted white, with a black lantern and watch room; today it is mostly black with rust. In late 2004, the Fox Island Lighthouse Association was organized to work for restoration of both South Fox Island lighthouses. Located adjacent to the earlier lighthouse. Site and tower closed. Owner: Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Site manager: Fox Island Lighthouse Association. ARLHS USA-1327.
North Manitou Shoal: 1935. Active; focal plane 79 ft (23 m); red flash every 15 s. 63 ft (19 m) square cylindrical steel tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story square steel keeper's house, mounted on concrete crib; solar-powered light (2000). Lighthouse painted white with black trim; lantern black. Fog horn (2 blasts every 20 s) as needed. Sibling of DeTour Reef Light in Lake Huron. Bryan Penberthy has a photo by Dennis Kent, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo. The Manitou Islands Memorial Society has expressed some interest in working for restoration of the lighthouse; current information is needed. Located midway between North Manitou Island and the mainland. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-554; USCG 7-18340.
** South Manitou Island (2): 1858 (station established 1840). Inactive since 1872. 2-1/2 story brick keeper's house; light tower removed in 1872. The building remained in use as the keeper's house for the 1872 lighthouse (next entry). ARLHS USA-1328.
** South Manitou Island (3): 1872 (O.M. Poe). Reactivated (inactive 1958-2009, now maintained by the National Park Service). 104 ft (31.5 m) round brick tower attached to a 2-1/2 story brick keeper's house (1858). Fog signal building (1875). Anderson has several good photos, Lighthouse Digest has an October 2002 article, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo. Formerly endangered by beach erosion, which is now controlled by a seawall. The National Park Service, which has a page describing the island, is working on restoration of the light station. In 2008, Park Service workers repaired the stairs and lantern room and installed an acrylic replica of the original 3rd order lens. The lighthouse was reactivated on 30 May 2009. Located on the southeast corner of the island, within walking distance of the ferry dock and island visitor center. Accessible by passenger ferry from Leland. Site open (park entry fee), visitor center open daily mid-May through October, tower open to guided tours in season. Owner: U.S. National Park Service. Site manager: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. ARLHS USA-773.
Northern West Coast Lighthouses
* Manning (Robert H. Manning Memorial): 1991. Active (privately maintained); focal plane 38 ft (11.5 m); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 35 ft (11 m) round cylindrical stucco-clad wood tower, painted white; lantern painted black. Martin van Duijn has a fine 2007 closeup, Anderson also has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The tower is designed to resemble the tower of the Point Betsie Light. Located in Empire Beach Park on Lake Street (South Lake Michigan Drive) in Empire. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Town of Empire. ARLHS USA-1268; USCG 7-18366.

* Frankfort North Breakwater: 1912 (relocated 1932). Active; focal plane 72 ft (22 m); continuous white light. 67 ft (20 m) square pyramidal steel tower with lantern and gallery, on a 2-story square steel base, built at the end of the breakwater. 4° Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted white; gallery and lantern roof are black. Fog horn (blast every 30 s) as needed. Shannon Neely has a closeup photo, Anderson has a photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lighthouse was built at the end of the old North Pier in 1912; it then stood 44 ft (13.5 m) tall. The Coast Guard's historic photo shows the lighthouse in its original form. In 1932 the lighthouse was moved to the new North Breakwater and lifted onto the 2-story base. There is an active Coast Guard Station at the foot of the breakwater. Located on the north side of the Betsie Lake entrance, south of the foot of Main Street in Frankfort. Accessible in calm weather by walking the breakwater; parking available nearby. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-308; USCG 7-18375.
[Frankfort South Breakwater]: Active; focal plane 46 ft (14 m); red flash every 4 s. 40 ft (12 m) round cylindrical steel "D9" tower, painted white with a single red horizontal band. Cameron Downing has a photo showing both Frankfort lights clearly. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-1075; USCG 7-18385.
* Portage Lake North Pierhead (3): Date unknown (station established 1891). Active; focal plane 32 ft (10 m); green flash every 4 s. 20 ft (6 m) round cylindrical "D9" steel tower, painted white with a single green band, mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Fog horn (blast every 15 s) as needed. David Bellmore has a photo. The original light here was a wood pyramidal tower; it was replaced by a skeletal tower in 1930 and by the present tower in recent years. Located at the end of the pier at Portage Point off MI 22 about 10 miles south of Arcadia. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-656; USCG 7-18415.
** Ludington North Breakwater (2): 1924 (station established 1871). Active; focal plane 55 ft (17 m); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 57 ft (17.5 m) square pyramidal steel tower, mounted on a prow-shaped concrete base designed to break the force of storm waves. Lighthouse painted white; lantern is black. The original 4° Fresnel lens is on display at the Rose Hawley Museum at White Pine Village near Ludington. Fog horn (2 blasts every 30 s) as needed. A good photo is available, Anderson has photos, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo. The lighthouse replaced an 1871 wood tower. Renovated by the Coast Guard in 1993, the lighthouse has a slight lean, which was not corrected. In 2002, the city of Ludington, the Mason County Historical Society, and the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association were working on a plan to lease the tower and the nearby Coast Guard station, which is scheduled to be replaced. However, in 2005, the lighthouse became available for transfer under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. In May 2006, the city's application was approved by the National Park Service, and the transfer to city ownership occurred shortly thereafter. Also in May 2006, the light was changed from white to green to help boaters distinguish it from the lights of the town. The Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association partners with the city in managing the lighthouse. Located at the end of Lakeshore Street, just of MI 116 in downtown Ludington. Accessible in calm weather by walking the pier. Site open, tower open on weekends during the summer, weather permitting. Owner/site manager: City of Ludington. ARLHS USA-460; USCG 7-18530.
* [Ludington South Breakwater (2)]: 1960s (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 30 ft (9 m); red flash every 2.5 s. 25 ft (7.5 m) white round cylindrical "D9" steel tower with a single horizontal red band. Steven Pierce has a good photo. Located at the end of the breakwater; clearly visible from the North Breakwater Light. Accessible in calm weather by walking the pier. Site open, closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-1081; USCG 7-18555.

Southern West Coast Lighthouses
**** White River: 1876. Inactive since 1960. 38 ft (11.5 m) octagonal cylindrical limestone tower attached to a 1-1/2 story Norman Gothic limestone keeper's house. The building is unpainted stone; lantern painted black. The lighthouse houses a museum; the original 4° Fresnel lens is on display. Local citizens contributed the funds to buy the light station when it was decommissioned. Pepper has a great page for the light, Anderson has several good photos, Lighthouse Digest had a feature article in February 2002, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo. Located on Murray Road in Wabaningo, west of Whitehall. A state grant provided exterior restoration and trim painting in 2000. Site open, museum and tower open daily except Monday in the summer, plus Memorial Day weekend and weekends in September. Owner: Fruitland Township. Site manager: White River Light Station. ARLHS USA-885.
[Muskegon North Breakwater]: Active; focal plane 34 ft (10 m); green flash every 4 s. White round cylindrical "D9" steel tower with a single green band. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. USCG 7-18720.

* Grand Haven South Pierhead Outer: 1905?. Active; focal plane 42 ft (13 m); red flash every 10 s. 36 ft (11 m) square cylindrical lantern mounted on a cast iron-clad wood fog signal building (1875), built on the end of the pier; 190 mm lens. Entire building painted red. Fog horn (2 blasts every 30 s) as needed. The Coast Guard has a historic photo. The catwalk (1922) linking both lighthouses to shore was renovated in 1987-88 after citizen protests stopped the Coast Guard from demolishing it. The Coast Guard renovated the lighthouse in spring and early summer 2001. In 2009 the lighthouse became available for transfer under NHLPA. Located on South Harbor Street in Grand Haven adjacent to Grand Haven State Park. Both lighthouses are accessible in good weather by walking the pier. Site open, towers closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-1078; USCG 7-18965.
* [Grand Haven Main (2)]: 1855 (station established 1839). Inactive since 1905. The original 4° Fresnel lens is on display at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum in Grand Haven. The light tower of this "schoolhouse" lighthouse was demolished in 1910, but the 1-1/2 story brick keeper's house continued to serve the pierhead lights. The building was sold as a private residence in 1956. John Kulpa has contributed a photo. Located on a high bluff overlooking the lake south of the harbor entrance. Site closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-327.
* [Saugatuck (Kalamazoo River) Pierhead Lights (2)]: Date of modern lights uncertain; pierhead lights established 1909 (south pier) and 1914 (north pier) . Active; north pierhead light focal plane 25 ft (7.5 m), green flash every 4 s; south pierhead light focal plane 31 ft (10.5 m), green flash every 4 s. Two 20 ft (6 m) cylindrical steel towers topped by navigation lights; both towers painted white, north pier tower with a single green band and south pier tower with a single red band. Fog horn (blast every 15 s as needed) on the south light. The light station was established in 1839; the 1859 lighthouse (inactive since 1914) was destroyed by a tornado on April 3, 1956. Salvaged portions of the 1859 building are incorporated in a faux lighthouse on the site (private residence). Lighthouse Digest has an article on the history of the light station. Located on the breakwaters protecting the river entrance northwest of Saugatuck. Reportedly accessible from a public parking area at the end of Riverside Drive. Site open, towers closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-1266 (south) and 413 (north); USCG 7-19445 (south) and 19450 (north).
* Saugatuck (replica): 2002 replica of 1859 lighthouse. 9 m (30 ft) square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one end of a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Entire building painted with red and white horizontal bands. Andrew Nicolle has a 2007 photo, and Teresa Forrest has a fine closeup. The replica is located in Douglas, on the south side of the Saugatuck River, adjacent to the historic passenger steamship Keewatin, as seen in another of Forrests's photos. Site open, tower closed. Owner: unknown. Site manager: Keewatin Maritime Museum.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

New Buffalo (1839-1859), Lake Michigan. ARLHS USA-950.
North Manitou Island (1898-1970s), Lake Michigan. ARLHS USA-1269.

Notable faux lighthouses:

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