LIGHTHOUSE VISITORr

McGulpin Point Lighthouse was recently purchased by Emmet County, from a private resident. On October 21, 2011, Mcgulpin Point Lighthouse won the State Beautification award, for efforts to restore and beautify the Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located west of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, adjacent to the Headlands Park. The lighthouse is now open to the public. The address is; 500 Headlands Drive, Mackinaw City, MI. 49701. You can contact them by phone: (231) 436-5860. Near the lighthouse is Mcgulpin Ponit Rock that is approximately 34 x x 37 x 9 feet. This rock has been used through the centuries to measure the water levels in Lake Michigan.

Charity Island Lighthouse was purchased by Robert & Karen Wiltse in 1992, and in 1997 they sold most of the land on the island to the Federal Fish & Wildlife service to make sure its natural recourses were protected. The Light housekeepers home was completely rebuilt, except for the basement foundation. The lighthouse was built in 1857, and is original. The island is about 300 acres of forest and 3 miles of shoreline. On the island are rare plants including, Pitchers Thistle, Trillium, Jacks in the Pulpit and Pink Lady Slippers. The island has wildlife, such as Bald Eagles, Foxes, Mink and various Song Birds. A wooden passenger ship called the "Oconto", was wrecked on a reef offshore in 1885.

The island is located ten miles offshore in the middle of the Saginaw Bay. The island and lighthouse are now open to the public, by way of boat. There are 2 docks where you can take a cruse to the island. The East Towas State Dock in East Towas, and Hoy's Saginaw Bay Marina (6591 Harbor Street) in Caseville. They off a dinner cruise for $79, prices subject to change. For reservations, call: 989-254-7710.

Saginaw Rear Range Lighthouse was sold to Dow chemical Corporation in 1989. In 1999, the Saginaw River Maritime Historical Society contacted the Dow Chemical Company, about restoring the lighthouse. From that time the windows and roof have been replaced and a optical lens was purchased. The future of the light is possible as plans and fund raising continues. The access roads are gated. The tower was built in 1876 and also a Saginaw Bay Front Range Lighthouse. In 1939 the lighthouse was transferred over to the Coast Guard and the optics was updated, that produced 45,000 candlepower, that increased the range to 15 miles. In 1960 the Saginaw River was widened, so larger ships could enter the bay (which made both lighthouses obsolete). The front range light was torn down at this time.

Lights Awarded Funds

The Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program has awarded funds to three Michigan Lighthouses. The William Livingston Memorial Lighthouse has been awarded $37,000 for exterior and interior restoration of the lantern room. The memorial is located at Belle Isle, just off of the Detroit River. The Port Austin Reef Lighthouse was awarded $20,000 to hire a consultant to prepare a structure report. Also the Whitefish Point Lighthouse was awarded $40,000 to strip, prime and paint the middle exterior of the tower.

Doomsday List

There are five lighthouses in this state that are threatened. The survival of these structures is bleak, and they may even be torn down. Fourteen Mile Point Lighthouse, is located on private property, 14 miles east of Ontonagon in the upper peninsula. Poverty Island Lighthouse, is located about 27 miles southeast of Escanaba, in Lake Michigan. St. Martin Island Lighthouse, is located in Lake Michigan, near Wisconsin. Skillagalee Island Lighthouse, was originally built in 1850 and is located about 12 miles northwest of Cross Village. Waugoshance Shoal Light, was built in 1851. Many materials were assembled on St. Helena Island, which was close by.

New Owners / For Sale

According to Lighthouse Digest there are two Michigan Lighthouses that have been sold to new owners. The Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse, is now owned by the city of Frankfort. The lighthouse was transferred, under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation act. The Grand Haven South Pier Lights, is now owned by the city of Grand Haven. Grand Haven has been nominated a Coast Guard City. However there are two lighthouses that are still up for sale by the Coast Guard (as of June 2009). The South Haven South Pier Lighthouse and the Middle Island Lighthouse. These lighthouses are among many in the Nation that are available under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. For about ten years the act allows lighthouses to be sold to those who have the financial means to maintain them. However, if local communities, museums or organizations don't want them, they could be sold at auction to the public.

Lost Lighthouses

There is a long list of lighthouses that have been demolished and destroyed in Michigan. Personally I think it is shame, considering the great architecture and that they are a part of our history. The Belle Isle Lighthouse, Ecorse Lighthouse, Grassy Island Lighthouses, Grosse Ile Lighthouses (except, the North Channel Front Light), the Mama Juda Lighthouses, and the original Windmill Point Lighthouses, will be missed.

A - N

AU SABLE PIERHEAD LIGHTHOUSE - was located in Oscoda, and was built in 1873. BELLE ISLE LIGHTHOUSE - built in 1882, was located on the island, where the Coast Guard Stations parking lot is. This lighthouse was automated in 1929. BIRCH POINT LIGHTHOUSE - located in Brimley, Michigan. CEDAR POINT RANGE LIGHTHOUSES - built in 1887, was originally called the St. Mary's River Range Lights. These lights were located in Cedar Point. CEDAR RIVER LIGHTHOUSE - located in Menominee, was first lighted in 1889. The old keepers house (still standing) is now a private residence. CHEBOYGAN MAIN LIGHTHOUSE - built in 1851, then rebuilt in 1859. DE TOUR POINT LIGHTHOUSE - located in De Tour Village, was built in 1848, rebuilt in 1861 and then 1930. ECORSE LIGHTHOUSES - range lighthouses built in 1894 and 1895. Located on the west side of the Detroit river, near Ecorse. GRASSY ISLAND LIGHTHOUSES - there were four lights. The Grassy Island North Channel Rear Light, Grassy Island Front Range Light, Grassy Island South Channel Light and the Grassy Island Rear Range light. They were built between 1849 and 1896. GROSSE ILE LIGHTHOUSES - the Grosse Ile South Channel Front Range Lighthouse, built in 1891. The Grosse Ile North Channel Rear Range Lighthouse, built in 1894, which had a 60 foot tower. The Grosse Isle South Channel rear Range Lighthouse, that had a 41 foot tower. Today the only light remaining is the Grosse Ile North Channel Lighthouse, built in 1894, rebuilt in 1906. KALAMAZOO RIVER LIGHTHOUSE - first built in 1839, then rebuilt in 1858. The lighthouse was destroyed by a tornado in 1956. MAMA JUDA LIGHTHOUSE - first built in 1849, rebuilt in 1866, then rebuilt again in 1910. The lighthouse was located in Wyandotte. MONROE LIGHTHOUSE - built in 1849, rebuilt in 1885. It was torn down in1922. This light was located in Monroe, near the Monroe Harbor. MUSKEGON HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE - was built in 1852, then rebuilt in 1871. NORTH MANITOU ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE - built in late 1880s, collapsed in 1942.

P - W

PECHE ISLE FRONT RANGE LIGHT - built in 1926. Today only the Peche Isle Rear Range LIght is still standing, but is now located at the Waterworks Park, next to the Detroit River in Marine City. PENTWATER PIERHEAD - was located in Pentwater. This lighthouse was built in 1867, destroyed in in the 1930s. PETOSKEY PIERHEAD LIGHTHOUSE - built in the late 1800s, and was destroyed by a storm in 1924. SAGINAW RIVER FRONT RANGE LIGHT - rested on a wooden crib in the river. First built in mid 1880s, then rebuilt in 1915. It was demolished in the 1960s. SQUAW POINT LIGHTHOUSE - built in 1897, in the city of Gladstone. In 1921 the keepers house was destroyed by a forest fire. The tower stood until 1963. ST. CLAIR FLATS CANAL LIGHTHOUSES - they were located at Harsens Island. Both lighthouses were built in 1871, and destroyed in 1934. There was the St. Clair Ship Canal Lower Entrance Lighthouse, and the St. Clair Ship Canal Upper Entrance Lighthouse. ST. JOSEPH LIGHTHOUSES - the first lighthouse in St. Joseph was on land and was built in 1832, rebuilt in 1859. This lighthouse resembled a old school or church. In 1924 the lighthouse was torn down, to make way for a parking lot. In the late 1800s a pier light were built on the inner pier. Today there is the St. Joseph North Pier Lights. VIDAL SHOALS LIGHTHOUSES - two range lights were built in 1899 on the St. Mary's River. The Vidal Shoals Rear Range Light (that was 52 feet high), and the Vidal Shoals Front Range Light. WINDMILL POINT LIGHTHOUSES - located in Grosse Point, the lighthouse was about 57 feet tall, and included two keepers houses. Also a Range Light was built, and a Lighthouse Inn. In the 1930s a tower was built (now in Mariners Park), that replaced the old lights.

Lighthouse Facts

Lighthouse Design

Lighthouses can be identified by their design or architecture. Lighthouse towers can be round, pyramidal, skeletal, conical or square. Round towers were usually built of brick and may have a steel casing. Pyramidal lighthouses were mostly made of wood or steel and are shaped like a pyramid. Skeletal Lighthouses have a framework to support the light at the top. Conical Lighthouses a similar to Round, but the tower narrows in as you get closer to the top. Square Lighthouses are more of a unique design, where the tower is built into the lighthouse keepers dwelling. Some were duplexes for both keepers families. Most common is the old schoolhouse design.

Administrative History

The Federal Government 1789 - 1829. Lighthouses under the Fifth Auditor of the Treasury 1820-1852. Establishment of the U.S. Light-House Board 1852-1910. Bureau of Lighthouses of the U.S. Lighthouse Service 1910-1939. Lighthouses under the U.S. Coast Guard 1939 - Present (unless purchased from the U.S. Coast Guard by communities, museums or individuals).

References for this webpage were taken from; "Ghost Lights of Michigan", a book by Timothy Harrison, Lighthouse Digest, a magazine published 6 times a year, Detroit Free Press and "A Travelers Guide to 116 Michigan Lighthouses", by Penrose.

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