Planning a visit to Lake Superior this summer? This month for our summer Road Trip series, we explore the unique lighthouse structures that are located on the shores of Lake Superior. Michigan has an abundant inventory of lighthouses with rich histories that reinforce MAF’s mission of “Advancing awareness of how architecture enriches life.” If you are planning a trip to the Upper Peninsula this summer, please consider some of the following options to learn more about Michigan Lighthouses located on the shores of Lake Superior:
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Point Iroquois Lighthouse: 12942 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley
The purpose of the Point Iroquois Light Station was to guide freighters safely between the open waters of Whitefish Bay and the St. Mary’s River. Visitors can climb the 72 steps of the spiral staircase to the top of the 65-foot tower for a picturesque view of Lake Superior, Canada and the ocean-going freighters going through the Soo Locks.
Whitefish Point Light Station: 18335 N Whitefish Point Rd, Paradise
The Whitefish Point Light Station is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior. The present light tower was constructed in 1861 during Abraham Lincoln’s administration. With more than 200 shipwrecks lying in the immediate vicinity, the area is known as Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast and The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located on-site. Whitefish Point marks the eastern end of a notorious 80-mile stretch of shoreline from there to Munising.
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Crisp Point Light: 1944 Co Hwy 412, Newberry
The 58-foot tall Crisp Point Lighthouse was completed in 1904. The need for a light at this location was expressed in 1896 due to several shipwrecks occurring. The Crisp Point Light Historical Society continues their work to keep the lighthouse open to the public. The lighthouse is open to the public year-round, their visitors center is closed in the winter.
Crisp Point Light Historical Society
Au Sable Light Station: Au Sable Point, approximately 12 miles west of Grand Marais
Completed in 1874, the white brick tower stands 86 feet tall and is anchored 23 feet into bedrock. There are several historic structures surrounding the lighthouse, including the original keeper’s quarters, a fog signal building, and an oil house built in the 1890s. In 1909, new living quarters were added to accommodate multiple families, reflecting the station’s long history of continuous staffing. Guided lighthouse climbs and shipwreck coast walking tours are available through the U.S. National Park Service.
Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse: Grand Island, Lake Superior, north of Munising
Built in 1870, Grand Island’s East Channel Lighthouse sits surrounded by the wilderness of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Although the lighthouse is privately owned and inaccessible to travelers, it is still viewable from afar on various boat tours through the channel.
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Marquette Harbor Lighthouse: 300 N Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette
The oldest significant structure in Marquette is the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, which was originally built in 1853. The Lighthouse was rebuilt in 1866 and later expanded in 1909, and it continues to help guide many sailors today. Currently operating on the same grounds, the Marquette Maritime Museum and the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse share the story of the Great Lakes iron ore trade, making it a great place to visit for history enthusiasts.
Big Bay Point Lighthouse: 4674 Co Rd KCB, Big Bay
The Big Bay Point Light is a 64-foot-tall lighthouse that stands on a tall bluff over a rocky point near Big Bay, approximately 24 miles northwest of Marquette. Today it is one of the few operational lighthouses with a bed and breakfast and is reputed to be haunted. The lighthouse is privately owned and does not allow public access to the property except for registered guests and those on guided tours.
Granite Island Light Station: Granite Island, Lake Superior, 12 miles northwest of Marquette
Located on a remote 2.5-acre island, the Granite Island Light Station was positioned near the busy shipping lanes of the mid-19th century. The lighthouse’s ten-foot-square tower stands forty feet tall and is attached to the northern gable of the eight-room, one-and-half-story keeper’s dwelling. The structure is constructed of rough-cut granite blocks, taken from the Huron Islands, and features cut limestone, used for quoins and lintels. The island is privately owned and is not accessible to the public.
Portage River Lighthouse: 38741 Jacobs St, Lake Linden
Like many of the early lighthouses built on the Great Lakes, the first Portage River Lighthouse was ill equipped for the severe weather it had to endure. An inspector in 1868 found the buildings in a dilapidated condition and recommended that a new tower and dwelling be built on the same site. Sitting at the entrance to the Portage River on the eastern edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the replacement lighthouse was built in 1869 and remains to this day. The Lighthouse is private property and an active restoration site. Public access is not permitted outside of scheduled Open House days.
Stannard Rock Lighthouse: Lake Superior, approximately 30 miles northeast of Big Bay
Stannard Rock Lighthouse in Lake Superior is known as the “Loneliest Lighthouse in North America”. Built on a submerged reef, 24 miles from the nearest land, the 110-foot-tall stark stone tower seems to rise from the lake’s very depths. It is fully exposed to Lake Superior’s legendary gales and harsh, battering waves. Due to the extreme construction environment, the lighthouse took five years to build. Not accessible to the public, the lighthouse can only be viewed from the water by an experienced and qualified boater.
Gull Rock Lighthouse: Gull Rock, Lake Superior, west of Manitou Island
The Gull Rock Lighthouse was constructed in 1868 on a small island off the coast of the Keweenaw Peninsula. It was noted by the first lighthouse keeper that a full 6 feet of ice formed on the island in winter. The white-painted, square-towered lighthouse survived and is currently under renovation. Once fully restored, the local keeper’s association plans to open the light to public tours.
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Copper Harbor Lighthouse: Fort Wilkins Historic State Park at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula
Copper Harbor Lighthouse was the second lighthouse to be built on Lake Superior. It was constructed in 1866 and aided in the transport of copper from the Upper Peninsula. The road that leads to the lighthouse is not open to the public, visitors must take a boat tour from the Copper Harbor Marina. Although the 44-foot tower is closed to the public, the grounds are open to the public and tours of the lighthouse are available.
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse: 670 Lighthouse Rd, Eagle Harbor
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse is an operational lighthouse at Eagle Harbor, in Keweenaw County. It sits on the rocky entrance to Eagle Harbor and is one of several light stations that guide mariners on Lake Superior across the northern edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The original lighthouse was built in 1851 and was replaced in 1871 by the current red brick structure. The lighthouse is still active, open to tours, and there is a small maritime museum.
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Ontonagon Lighthouse: 999 Lighthouse Lane, Ontonagon
Constructed in 1866, the tidy brick Ontonagon Lighthouse boasts as the oldest standing lighthouse on the Keweenaw mainland. At the top of the tower, you can enjoy views of Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains. Tours include entry to the Ontonagon County Historical Museum.
Menagerie Island (Isle Royale) Lighthouse: Menagerie Island, Lake Superior, approximately 2.5 miles south of Isle Royale
Built in 1875, the unique rock and red sandstone keeper’s quarters and the 61-foot double-walled white octagonal sandstone tower make the Menagerie Island Lighthouse standout on boat trips around Isle Royale. The light continues to aid in navigation around the national park. Public visits to the lighthouse are not permitted, although you can walk the grounds, access is only via private boat.
Rock Harbor Lighthouse: Rock Harbor on Isle Royale, at the entrance to Moskey Basin
The brick and stone lighthouse on Isle Royale’s Rock Harbor is a beloved landmark. The lighthouse has a 50-foot-tall round white tower and black lantern rising above the rugged shoreline and surrounding pine trees. Visit the Isle Royale’s oldest lighthouse and its maritime exhibits on a guided NPS tour that includes a stop at the nearby Edisen Fishery.
Passage Island Lighthouse: Passage Island, Lake Superior, 3.25 miles northeast of Isle Royale
The Passage Island Light guides ship traffic between the channel of Isle Royale’s main island and Passage Island. Built in 1872 near the eastern end of Isle Royale, the Passage Island Lighthouse is part of a popular boat tour out of Rock Harbor. Board the MV Sandy for an 8-mile cruise to Passage Island. From there, an NPS guide leads a 2-mile round-trip hike out to the stone lighthouse.