The Great Lakes region of Michigan features more than 115 lighthouses that were built along the coast in the mid 1800s and early 1900s. These lighthouses guided ships and sailors safely through the lakes as they delivered goods to Michigan's coastal communities. Some of these lighthouses have become bed and breakfasts or inns, while others have been turned into museums and are open for guided tours.
The Au Sable Light Station was built in 1873 on Au Sable Point, 12 miles from Grand Marais, Michigan. The original design of the 87-foot lighthouse was to accommodate two families and the two story living structure adjoined the light station itself. In 1988, restoration began on the light station, which included replacing wooden trim, doors and windows and painting. Guided tours of the light station are available during the summer. Visitors can also hike along the North County Trail that runs around the light station and ends at a nearby campground area.
The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, built in 1892 to guide ships that sailed through the Straits of Mackinac in the northern part of Michigan, closed in 1957. Visitors can still climb the 58-foot tower to see views of the Great Lakes for up to 16 miles and nearby Mackinaw City. Exploring the lighthouse at night is also an option. Inside the lighthouse, visitors can look at exhibits and learn about the shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region. Renovators completed work on the lighthouse, which is open from mid-May to October, in 2004. The lighthouse is now restored it to what it would have looked like in 1910.
The Ontonagon County Lighthouse sits directly along the Ontonagon River in Ontonagon, Michigan. The original lighthouse was built in 1866 and is still visible from the nearby Ontonagon Swing Bridge. Its purpose was to guide ships coming into harbor with lumber and copper from the outlying areas. The current lighthouse replaced a wooded building on the property in the mid-1800s, which was one of the earliest lighthouses built along Lake Superior.
An unique fact about the Ontonagon County Lighthouse is that it no longer sits on Lake Superior. Over the years, the shore has moved away from the lighthouse because of sediment deposits. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the lighthouse and see furniture and decorations that might have been used in the early 1900s.
The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, built in 1829, is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan. Located in Port Huron, the light at the top of the lighthouse was once visible for at least 17 miles. It stands 86 feet high and when it was in operation, its location made it easy for ships to spot as they came up the St. Clair River. The five-acre complex also includes the foghorn building, keeper's duplex and quarters for the crew. The lighthouse itself is currently closed to the public but the Friends of Fort Gratiot Light organization raises money to restore the lighthouse.
