The Lighthouses of Lake Huron

Alone on an island in Lake Frances, it is unlikely that any boat will need illumination from this lighthouse. (This is technically a faux light, it has always been decorative, not functional.)

Marking the entrance to the St. Clair river; this post with a light on the top is critical for safe navigation into the river. On other side of the river is the Fort Gratiot light ^MI104

(still an active coast guard station) This picture was taken from Point Edward (which is just of north of Sarnia, Ontario) ARLHS # USA-291

It appears this light was built as part of the condo development which you can see. In 2003; the developer appealed to the City Council for permission to build the matching front range you see above (which is part of the Edison park and leased to the lighthouse organization.)

From Highway 25 (Huron Avenue) in Harbor Beach, turn east on Trescott Street and follow to its end at Bathing Beach Park. A good, distant shot of the lighthouse is available from the end of Trescott pier.

The light is on the end of the breakwater, so technically you could walk up close. The end of the breakwater may not be accessible to the public (we didn't check) and even if it is, it's a long walk. The long lens works better. ARLHS # USA-365

2.5 miles north of Port Austin in Lake Huron. As a result, the best way to see this light is in a boat (but it is also dangerous, the light's here for a reason). However, from the downtown pier in Port Austin, you can get pictures using a long lens (and digital zoom). ARLHS # USA-648

This the "exiting" starboard light at the Au Gres River mouth.

Built in 1939, this light is about 6 miles due east of the public lake access at Au Gres. Other than choppy running, it was a very pleasant run out to see a pretty ugly light (built in the Art Deco style quite typical of the 1930's.) ARLHS # USA-340

The sign at the light says "In Michigan; we keep the light on for you."

Other interesting information provided is that Michigan comes from an original (not from Europe) American word that means "Great Lake."

They also state that the shore line of Michigan is longer than the entire Eastern sea coast.

Established in 1870, this is still an active light. It is fully automated and the government is considering deactivating it. ARLHS # USA-823

About the only way to get here is by boat. Alpena is the closest harbor. ARLHS # USA-847

Photo courtesy George Klumb

Before the front range light was restored by the Robert Burseky family in 2004, it stood alongside the road near the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse. ^{relocated to}

From Highway 23, turn east on Grand Lake Road. The range lights are located alongside Grand Lake Road just before the Presque Isle Marina. ARLHS # USA-669

An interesting lighthouse in that the bottom of the tower is stone (and conical) while the top is brick (and cylindrical). Now out of service and privately owned, but available to the public. ARLHS # USA-668

Six miles north of Rogers City on US23, established in 1896, this light is still active ARLHS # USA-303

Built in 1929, this replaced a lightship that had been here since 1893. This passage has become heavily traveled by powered ships. Most sailing boats used the other side of the Bois Blanc (Bob-Lo) Island. ARLHS # USA-610

This light is currently a private residence and is almost invisible from most of the lake. The trees that surround it clearly have grown since the light was removed from service or it wouldn't have been of much value. ARLHS # USA-068

Originally marking the water inlet for the city of Cheboygan, this light has been replaced and moved into a county park. It won't cost much to make it look nice, and the Lighthouse Keeper's Association is trying to raise those funds. ARLHS # USA-160

Once the Mackinaw bridge was built, this light became obsolete as a navigation item. The building has been extensively renovated and now is open as a museum.

The light is next to the bridge access road and across the street from the GLLKA offices. ARLHS # USA-463

This is the new lighthouse for Mackinaw Island Harbor. It's on the opposite side of the channel as well as newer. The interesting issue is that the boat going to St. Ignace go on the shore side of the lighthouse - so - why is it here? ARLHS # USA-710

Physically a duplicate of Poe's reef (see above), this light marks the corner for the boats going into the Dolomite mines on the Upper Peninsula. When you see, it you say "what the big deal?" Looking at the charts, it's clear why it's here. ^{MI 86}

Note that the water's so still you can see the reflection of the tower. ARLHS # USA-480

The original Shoal Island Lighthouse was built in 1881 and destroyed by fire around 1909, which led to the construction of the current structure. Located on Shoal Island, near the northwest end of Joseph Island.

From Highway 17, 30 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie, turn south onto Highway 548, 20th Side Road, which leads to St. Joseph Island. Once on the island, take your first right onto D Line Road, and the turn right on Richard Street to reach the town of Richards Landing. Turn left onto Russel Street and then right onto B Line Road. The Shoal Island Lighthouse is just offshore from the end of B Line Road. ^lhFriends ARLHS # CAN-588

As you can see from the background, the color was just gorgeous on the day we visited these lights. ARLHS # CAN-600

This is currently a private residence, available for rent. It was built in 1907 and was built to support the timber industry in the area. We just happened to see a sign to it off of PH 17 and took a short detour, and there it was. ^cottages ARLHS # CAN-311

This light is right at the entrance to a campground, and when camping is in season, it is the registration place. The light is still in use, but fully automated, and the rest of the house is a private residence.

Go to the Gore Bay Marina and follow Water Road to the lighthouse. ARLHS # CAN-203

This light is right at the Marina, but if you're looking at the water, you'll miss it, because I'm standing in the road shooting the picture up at the lighthouse. ARLHS # CAN-259

This picture is taken from the base of the light below, then digitally zoomed. Clearly you could get a better picture from a boat, but since the keeper's quarters are nothing but ruins, there isn't much more to see. ARLHS # CAN-619

Located at the end of pier into the lake; this is the entrance to the Saugeen River. Its mate is across the Road and invisible from the pier (it's not clear how far out onto the lake you need to go to see both of them). ^{ON 74} ARLHS # CAN-831

At last, a lighthouse that doesn't look the same (neither did Chantry Island, but that was a long way away). Because of limitations of real estate, they built the light house directly on top of the keeper's house. At one time, this was the rear range of a range system, but at this time, the front range is nothing but a light on a steel pole. ARLHS # CAN-264

This, the very last light on Lake Huron, doesn't look very impressive. The tower is only 35 feet tall; but it's at the top of a 100 (or more) foot cliff right next to the river, so it's visible from a very long way out in the lake.

There's a salt loading station just below here, and they bring the full size Lake carriers in, so it's probably important they know where the river mouth is. ARLHS # CAN-546