Lighthouse Videos

The Grosse Ile North Channel Front Range (#2 of 129) is located on the east side of Grosse Ile along the shore of the Detroit River. Location: Detroit River Coordinates: 42° 10' 08" N, -83° 08' 24" W Structure: Wood Year First Lit: 1894, rebuilt in 1906 Height: 40 feet (12m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: The Grosse Ile community came together not once but twice to save the North Channel Front Range from destruction. In 1984 the base of the lighthouse had deteriorated to the point there was fear it would fall over. Luckily a new steel piling and concrete base was poured to keep it standing. Then again in 2019 an ice flow from the Detroit River threatened to push over the structure. However, through jackhammers, pickaxes, and brute strength the crisis was averted. Owned and maintained by the Grosse Ile Historical Society Please note that this lighthouse is not accessible to the public, respect people's private property. Visit the Grosse Ile Historical Society website for scheduled tour dates.

#3 Mariners Memorial Lighthouse

The Mariners Memorial Lighthouse (#3 of 129) resides in the City of River Rouge at the Dr. Henry Belanger Park alongside the Detroit River. Location: Detroit River Coordinates: 42° 16' 18" N, 83° 6' 40" W Structure: Wood Year First Lit: 2004 Height: 41 feet (12m) Lens: LED Fun Fact: This lighthouse was built by 27 volunteers in the summer of 2003 as a tribute to the ship-building heritage of the local community as well as to those that sail the lake and rivers of Michigan. In 2004 it was declared an Aid to Navigation (AtoN) by the US Coast Guard. Owned by the City of River Rouge

#4 Milliken State Park Lighthouse

The Milliken State Park Lighthouse (#4 of 129) is located on the Detroit River just east of Detroit, Michigan. Location: Detroit River Coordinates: 42°19'57.0"N 83°01'28.8"W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 2004 Height: 63 feet (19 m) Lens: LED Fun Fact: This lighthouse is a scaled down replica of Tawas Point and is the newest in Michigan.

#5 William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse

The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse (#5 of 129) is located on Belle Isle on the Detroit River Location: Detroit River Coordinates: 42°20'49.4"N 82°57'15.5"W Structure: White Marble Year First Lit: 1930 Height: 58 feet (18 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: This is the only lighthouse in the United States constructed of marble Maintained by the Detroit Historical Society

#6 Windmill Point Lighthouse

The Windmill Point Lighthouse (#6 of 129) is located in Mariner Park at the entrance of the Detroit River from Lake St Clair on Michigan's eastern shore. Location: Detroit River Coordinates: 42°21′27″N 82°55′54″W Structure: Riveted Steel Plate and Concrete Year First Lit: 1848 (1st Lighthouse), 1875 (2nd Lighthouse), 1933 (Current Lighthouse) Height: 45 feet (14 m) (Current Lighthouse) Lens: 6th Order Fresnel (Current Lighthouse) Fun Fact: In addition to the three lighthouses over the years at Windmill Point there were also two sets of range lights. The latter set of these was moved to the St Marys River in 1930 becoming the Lower Nicolet Range (#90 of 129). Owned and maintained by Detroit Recreation Department

#11 Peche Island Rear Range Lighthouse

The Peche Island Rear Range Lighthouse (#11 of 129) is located alongside the St Clair River in Marine City. Location: St Clair River Coordinates: 42° 43' 35" N, -82° 29' 20" W Structure: Steel plate Year First Lit: 1908 Focal Height: 57.5 feet (17.5m) Lens: Fixed red reflector Fun Fact: This lighthouse was one of a pair of range lights that guided ships to the mouth of the Detroit River from Lake St Clair northeast of Peche Island. By 1970 it had developed a severe lean to one side and was eventually deactivated in 1983. The light was then moved to shore and now resides at Lighthouse Park in Marine City. Owned and maintained by City of Marine City

#12 Huron Lightship LV-103

The Huron Lightship LV-103 (#12 of 129) is currently moored on the St Clair River in the City of Port Huron, Michigan. Location: St Clair River Coordinates: 42°59′21″N 82°25′36″W Structure: Lightvessel Year First Lit: 1921 Focal Height: 52 feet (16 m) Lens: 375mm Fun Fact: The Huron Lightship LV-103 is the only lightvessel on the Great Lakes retiring from the Coast Guard service in 1970. Preservation Group: Port Huron Museums

#13 Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (#13 of 129) is located in Port Huron, Michigan on Lake Huron. Location: Lake Huron Coordinates: 43°0′22.7″N 82°25′20.9″W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1825 Height: 82 feet (25 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel until 1862, then replaced with a 3rd Order Fun Fact: Fort Gratiot is the oldest surviving Lighthouse in Michigan Preservation Group: Port Huron Museums

#14 Port Sanilac Lighthouse

The Port Sanilac Lighthouse (#14 of 129) is located in the Village of Port Sanilac, Michigan on the shores of Lake Huron. Location: Lake Huron Coordinates: 43°25′44″N 82°32′24″W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1886 Focal Height: 69 feet (21 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: Jeff Shook who owns the Port Sanilac Lighthouse is descended from Michigan's first woman lighthouse keeper Catherine Shook.

#15 Harbor Beach Lighthouse

The Harbor Beach Lighthouse (#15 of 129) resides to the east of the City of Harbor Beach on Lake Huron and is located at the end of the harbor's north breakwall. Location: Lake Huron Coordinates: 43°50′42″N 82°37′54″W Structure: Cast Iron Year First Lit: 1876 (1st light), 1885 (current light) Focal Height: 54 feet (16m) (current light) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: This lighthouse stands guard at the entrance of the largest man-made freshwater harbor in the world. It took 11 years to build all three breakwaters and together the harbor provides over 650 acres of shelter. Owned by the City of Harbor Beach and maintained by Harbor Beach Lighthouse Preservation Society (HBLPS)

#16 Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse

The Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse (#16 of 129) is at the tip of Michigan's "thumb" on Lake Huron. Location: Lake Huron Coordinates: 44°01′24″N 82°47′36″W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1848 Focal Height: 93 feet (28 m) Lens: 3rd Order Fresnel Fun Fact: After the death of her husband Catherine Shook became the first lighthouse keeper in Michigan, a position she held from 1849 to 1851. Preservation Group: Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society (PaBLS)

#18 Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse

The Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse is located on the Saginaw River northeast of Bay City on Dow Chemical Company property. Location: Saginaw River Coordinates: 43°38′7.8″N 83°51′2″W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1876 Focal Height: 61 feet (19 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: After being told to paint just the tower the crew, who were upset with their supervisor, decided instead to paint the whole lighthouse white. Preservation Group: Saginaw River Marine Historical Society

#22 Sturgeon Point Lighthouse

The Sturgeon Point Lighthouse (#22 of 129) is along the shores of Lake Huron in Alcona County and marks a one and a half mile shallow reef that stretches out into the lake. Location: Lake Huron Coordinates: 44°42′45.7″N 83°16′21.8″W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1869 Height: 69 feet (21 m) Lens: 3-1/2 Order Fresnel Lens Fun Fact: In 2006 the US Coast Guard attempted to extinguish the light at Sturgeon Point. After public outcry that included a petition with over 5,000 signatures the Coast Guard reversed its decision and the light remains lit to this day as a Private Aid to Navigation. Owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and maintained by Alcona Historical Society

#32 Cheboygan Point Lighthouse

The ruins of the Cheboygan Point Lighthouse (#32 of 129) are located in the Cheboygan State Park just off the shore of Lake Huron in Michigan. Location: Lake Huron Coordinates: 45° 40' 8" N, -84° 25' 11" W Structure: Stone and wood Year First Lit: 1851 (1st Lighthouse), 1859 (2nd Lighthouse) Focal Height: 37 feet (11m) (2nd Lighthouse) Lens: 5th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: The first tower built in 1851 was poorly placed and its foundations were soon undermined by the lake. It was eventually torn down and replaced in 1859. The second lighthouse itself was made obsolete by the off shore 14 Foot Shoal (#33 of 129) built in 1930. Cheboygan Point was abandoned and eventually dismantled in the 1940s. All that remains now are the ruins of the foundation. Owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

#34 Cheboygan Crib Lighthouse

The Cheboygan Crib Lighthouse (#34 of 129) is located in the Gordon Turner Park on the west breakwater alongside the Cheboygan River. Originally this Light was about an eighth of a mile off the Cheboygan shoreline in Lake Huron where it marked the outer end of the dredged channel into the river. Location: Cheboygan River/Lake Huron Coordinates: 45° 39' 23" N, -84° 27' 55" W Structure: Wood (1st lighthouse), cast iron and concrete (2nd lighthouse) Year First Lit: 1884 (1st Lighthouse), 1903 (2nd Lighthouse) Focal Height: 35 feet (11m) (2nd Lighthouse) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: The Coast Guard had planned to demolish the Light but it was instead donated to the City of Cheboygan and moved inland to its current location where it was restored. Maintained by the City of Cheboygan and local groups

#35 The Cheboygan Front Range Lighthouse

The Cheboygan Front Range Lighthouse (#35 of 129) is located in the northeastern corner of Cheboygan, Michigan alongside the river. Location: Cheboygan River Coordinates: 45° 38' 51" N, -84° 28' 22" W Structure: Wood Year First Lit: 1880 Focal Height: 42 feet (13m) Lens: A 6th Order Fresnel that was later replaced with a locomotive style lantern with a 10,000 candlepower electric lamp Fun Fact: While in operation this light station was responsible for the 41 aids to navigation (AtoN) from Alanson to Cheboygan and was the primary support for three offshore lighthouses along with the Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83). Owned and maintained by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA)

#37 McGulpin Point Lighthouse

McGulpin Point Lighthouse (#37 of 129) is located west of Mackinaw City, Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 45.78690°N 84.7722°W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1869 Focal Height: 102 feet (31 m) Lens: 3.5 Order Fresnel Fun Fact: James Davenport was the one and only lighthouse keeper for this light, serving for 27 years. During the navigational season he and his wife raised nine children in the small story and a half structure. Currently being preserved and restored by Emmet County

#47 South Fox Island Old Lighthouse

The South Fox Island Old Lighthouse (#47 of 129) is one of two lighthouses located on South Fox Island in Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 45.3785°N 85.8371°W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1867 Focal Height: 68 feet (21 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: In 1880 Keeper Willis Warner had to build a five foot tall fence around the lighthouse to keep back the drifting sand and snow. Preservation Society: Fox Island Lighthouse Society (FILA)

#48 South Fox Island New Lighthouse

The South Fox Island New Lighthouse (#48 of 129) is a Sanibel Class skeletal tower located on South Fox Island in Lake Michigan and is one of two lighthouses on the island. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 45°26′32″N 85°48′36″W Structure: Sanibel Class Skeletal Tower Year First Lit: 1934 Focal Height: 89 feet (27 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: This tower was disassembled and moved to South Fox Island from another Light Station located on the Sapelo Island in Georgia Preservation Group: Fox Island Lighthouse Association

#50 Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse (#50 of 129) is located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula on Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 45° 12' 37.5264"N 85° 32' 59.6106"W Structure: Brick (Built in 1858) Year First Lit: 1852 Focal Height: 47 feet (14 m) Lens: 5th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: The original stone tower only lasted six year before it was feared to collapse. The current tower and dwelling replaced it in 1858. Preservation Group: Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum

#53 Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse

The Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse (#53 of 129) is located in the town of Empire, Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 44°48′28.531″N 86°15′18.758″W Structure: Concrete Year First Lit: 1990 Focal Height: 38ft (11.5m) Lens: LED Fun Fact: It carries the name of an avid fisherman and long time resident who had always longed for a lighthouse to guide him home. After his death in 1989 his friends and family raised the funds to make his dream a reality.

#54 Point Betsie Lighthouse

The Point Betsie Lighthouse (#54 of 129) is located west of Traverse City along the Manitou Passage on the shores of Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 44.6913°N 86.2552°W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1859 Focal Height: 52 feet (16 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: In 1984 Point Betsie became the last lighthouse on the Great Lakes to be fully automated. Preservation Society: The Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse

#56 Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse

The Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse (#56 of 129) is located in the city of Manistee on Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 44° 15' 6.1194"N 86° 20' 47.04"W Structure: Riveted Steel Plate (Built in 1927) Year First Lit: 1870 Height: 55 feet (17 m) Lens: 5th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: The original lighthouse, and much of Manistee, was burned to the ground on October 8, 1871, the same day as the Great Chicago Fire. Preservation Group: Manistee County Historical Museum

#57 Big Sable Point Lighthouse

Big Sable Point Lighthouse (#57 of 129) is located just north of Ludington, Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 44°03′27.8″ N 86°30′52″ W Structure: Brick and Steel Year First Lit: 1867 Focal Height: 106 feet (32 m) Lens: 3rd Order Fresnel Fun Fact: Big Sable Point was the last of the Great Lakes lighthouse to get electricity and plumbing, which wasn’t until the late 1940’s. Preservation Society: Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association (SPLKA)

#58 Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse

The Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse (#58 of 129) is just off shore of the city of Ludington, Michigan in Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 43°57′13.002″N 86°28′9.737″W Structure: Steel plate Year First Lit: 1924 Focal Height: 55 feet (17 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: This lighthouse leans northward 4 degrees but is otherwise stable. Preservation Society: Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association (SPLKA)

#67 & #68 St Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lighthouses

The St Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lighthouses (#67 & 68 of 129) are located alongside the St Joseph River on Lake Michigan St Joseph North Pier Inner. #67 Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 42° 6' 58" N, -86° 29' 36" W Structure: Steel plate Year First Lit: 1907 Height: 56ft (17m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel St Joseph North Pier Outer #68 Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 42° 6' 58" N, -86° 29' 36" W Structure: Steel plate Year First Lit: 1906 Height: 31 feet (9m) Lens: 5th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: St Joseph is the only community in Michigan to have saved both of their Fresnel lenses. The 4th and 5th order lenses are now on display at the St Joseph Heritage Museum & Cultural Center. Tours to these lighthouses are also available through this museum. Owned and maintained by the City of St Joseph

#77 Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse

The Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse (#77 of 129) is located on the south side of Michigan's upper peninsula on Lake Michigan. Location: Lake Michigan Coordinates: 45°55′17″N 85°54′43″W Structure: Brick Year First Lit: 1892 Height: 80 feet (24 m) Lens: 3rd Order Fresnel Fun Fact: "Seul Choix" is French for "only choice" as it is the sole harbor of refuge along this stretch of coast. Preservation Group: Gulliver Historical Society, Inc.

#81 Wawatam Lighthouse

The Wawatam Lighthouse (#81 of 129) is located in the city of St Ignace, Michigan on Lake Huron. Location: Lake Huron Coordinates: 45°52′N 84°43′W Structure: Welded Steel Year First Lit: 2006 Height: 62 ft (19 m) Lens: 250mm Fresnel Fun Fact: Originally built in 1998 as a non-functional tourist attraction at the Monroe Welcome Center on I-75 in Michigan. In 2004 it was moved to St Ignace and lit as an official aid-to-navigation in 2006. Preservation Group: City of St Ignace

#93 Whitefish Point Lighthouse

The Whitefish Point Lighthouse (#93 of 129) is located on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Location: Lake Superior Coordinates: 46°46′14″N 84°57′24″W Structure: Steel Lattice Tower (built in 1861) Year First Lit: 1849 Focal Height: 80 feet (24 m) Lens: 3rd Order Fresnel Fun Fact: Whitefish Point is the oldest operating Lighthouse on Lake Superior and is home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Preservation Group: Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society

#98 & 99 Munising Front & Rear Range Lighthouses

The Munising Front and Rear Range Lighthouses (#98 & 99 of 129) are located on Lake Superior just west of the town of Munising, Michigan. Location: Lake Superior Coordinates: 46°24′54″N 86°39′40″W & 46°24′45″N 86°39′50″W Structure: Steel plate Year First Lit: 1908 Focal Height: 79 ft (24 m) & 107 ft (33 m) Lens: Adams & Westlake 23-inch Red Reflectors Fun Fact: The design of the Front Range keepers quarters was duplicated at Grand Marais and at Point Aux Barques. The Rear Range is only 33 feet tall but gains its 107ft focal height by being built onto the side of a hill. Currently managed by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (NPS)

#102 Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Lighthouse

The Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Lighthouse (#102 of 129) is located just east of Christmas in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the shores of Lake Superior Location: Lake Superior Coordinates: 46°26′12″N 86°41′28″W Structure: Riveted Steel Plate Year First Lit: 1868 Focal Height: 70 feet (21 m) Lens: 6th Order Fresnel Fun Fact; The original wooden Front and Rear Ranges were demolished in 1914. The Front Range was replaced by an iron mast, and again in 1968 with a D9 style steel cylinder. The new Rear Range is a riveted steel plate conical design that is one of the tallest, if not the tallest, lighthouses of this type on the Great Lakes. Currently managed by Hiawatha National Forest

#105 Granite Island Lighthouse

The Granite Island Lighthouse (#105 of 129) is located in Lake Superior off the shore of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Location: Lake Superior Coordinates: 46°43′15″N 87°24′43″W Structure: Stone and Brick Year First Lit: 1869 Focal Height: 93 feet (28 m) Lens: 4th Order Fresnel Fun Fact: This lighthouse sits upon a 2.49 acre island and is completely energy independent through the use of solar panels, wind generators, storage batteries, and a backup generator. Privately owned, thank you to Scott Holman for the tour.

#126 Rock of Ages Lighthouse

The Rock of Ages Lighthouse (#126 of 129) is located off shore at the south end of Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Location: Lake Superior Coordinates: 47°52′00″N 89°18′48″W Structure: Brick and plate steel Year First Lit: 1910 Focal Height: 130 feet (40 m) Lens: 2nd Order Bivalve Fresnel Lens Fun Fact: It was customary for passengers to sing the "Rock of Ages" hymn as their ship passed by the Lighthouse. Preservation Group: Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society

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