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Lighthouses in Traverse City and Northern Michigan

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Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
The historical Old Mission Lighthouse at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula is decorated by the current resident, Jim Guilmet, with 2,700 lights. Guilmet is the current park superintendent for Peninsula Township.

  • Grand Traverse Lighthouse, At the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, visitors can tour the keeper's residence, view displays by local school children and hear the fog horn blow at noon.   MORE INFO >
  • Old Manistee Main Lighthouse, An active lighthouse, built in 1870, that is privately owned.
  • Manistee North Pier Lighthouse catwalk, built in 1927.
  • Portage Lake North Pierhead, A minor light (skeletal tower or light pole) built in 1891.
  • Frankfort North Breakwater Light, An active light built in 1932.
  • Point Betsie Light, near Frankfort, includes keeper's quarters, and has been continuously active since 1858. It is now owned by Benzie County. The exterior of the lighthouse underwent historical restoration in 2005-2006, and contributions are being raised to restore the interior. The tower and keeper's quarters are open to the public for tours on weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. More information is available at www.pointbetsie.org.
  • Robert H. Manning Memorial Light, In Empire. This miniature light was built in 1991, and is active, primarily to guide fisherman back to port.
  • South Manitou Island Built in 1871, this structure includes a keepers quarters and houses a museum.
  • North Manitou Shoal Light, An active light built in 1935, it Includes keepers quarters.
  • South Fox Island, includes keepers quarters. It was built in 1868.
  • Cat's Head Point, Near Northport. Built in 1853, it includes keepers quarters, now a museum. Visitors can climb into the tower.
  • Old Mission Point Light, Built in 1870 on the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, this privately-owned light includes keepers quarters.
  • Charlevoix South Pierhead, Built in 1948, it is still active.
  • Petoskey, A minor light built in 1899, it is still active.
  • Little Traverse Light, On Harbor Point in Harbor Springs. This privately-owned light with keepers quarters was built in 1884.
  • Skillagalee Light, also known as Ile aux Galets Built in 1888, this light is southwest of Waugoshance Island near Cross Village. It is active and is approachable only by boat.
  • Gray's Reef Light Station, Includes keepers quarters. Built in 1936, this active light is located in Lake Michigan west of Mackinaw City and is approachable only by boat.
  • White Shoal Light, Includes keepers quarters. This active light was built in 1910 and is located in Lake Michigan west of Mackinaw City. It is approachable only by boat.
  • Waugoshance Shoal Light, West of Mackinaw City, was built in 1851 and included keepers quarters. The light is now in ruins.
  • Beaver Head Island light, Includes keepers quarters and is still an active light. Built in 1858/1866, it is a museum that offers tours, including a climbable tower, once a year.
  • St. James light, On Beaver Island. Built in 1870, it remains active.
  • Squaw Island, Included keepers quarters. It is privately owned and is in ruins.
  • Lansing Shoal Light, Near Beaver Island was built with keepers quarters in 1928 and is still active.
  • McGulpin Point Light, Near Mackinaw City includes keepers quarters and was built in 1896. It is now privately owned.
  • Old Mackinac Point Light, Near Mackinaw City was built in 1892. It includes keepers quarters and is now a museum.
  • St. Helena Island Light, Near St. Ignace is a museum that offers tours by appointment. It was built in 1873, includes keepers quarters, and is still active.