There are more or less two dozen lighthouses open to the public in Michigan. These lighthouses are identified based on their structure and design. Lighthouse designs have various elements that must withstand the harsh environment where they are erected.
A round tower lighthouse is usually made of bricks and may have a steel outer shell for increased protection from the weather. Round towers are finished off with paint to make them more appealing. They come in big or small sizes.
A skeletal lighthouse's design is not meant for locations with strong and harsh winds. This type of lighthouse has a steel frame in order to support the light that is on top of the tower but some also use wood.
The integral lighthouse has a square shape. This type of lighthouse has a main house for the base where the family of a lighthouse keeper can live.
Michigan's oldest lighthouse is the Fort Gratiot Light. In 1825, the lighthouse was built with a height of 74 feet but was reconstructed in 1861 and now stands 86 feet tall.
New Presque Isle, the tallest lighthouse in Michigan, has a height of 100 feet. It stands in a park complete with a recreational area and hiking trails.
