Old Mackinac Point Light is a deactivated

lighthouse A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of physical structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and to serve as a beacon for navigational aid, for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways. Lighthouses mar ...

located at the northern tip of the

Lower Peninsula The Lower Peninsula of Michigan – also known as Lower Michigan – is the larger, southern and less elevated of the two major landmasses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan; the other being the Upper Peninsula, which is separated by the S ...

in the U.S. state of

Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...

. The lighthouse is part of

Fort Michilimackinac State Park Fort Michilimackinac State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Mackinaw City along the Straits of Mackinac. The park contains Fort Michilimackinac, which itself is dedicated a National Historic Landmark and O ...

in the village of

Mackinaw City Mackinaw City ( ) is a village in Emmet and Cheboygan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 846 at the 2010 census, the population increases during summertime, including an influx of tourists and seasonal workers who serve ...

just east of the

Mackinac Bridge The Mackinac Bridge ( ) is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac, connecting the Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge (familiarly known as "Big Mac" and "Mighty Mac") is the worl ...

. The lighthouse was constructed in 1892 along the Straits of Mackinac at the junction of

Lake Michigan Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume () and the third-largest by surface area (), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the east, its basin is conjoined with that o ...

and Lake Huron. It was deactivated in 1957 and currently serves as a museum.

History

Preparations

Even before the advent of European explorers, the Straits of Mackinac were a significant hazard to water borne travelers. Consequently, before lighthouses, the Ojibwa lit the shore with fires. In the early 19th century, with large vessel traffic increasing from Lake Huron into the Straits, the first step in guarding the Straits was taken in 1829, through the construction of Bois Blanc Lighthouse to both guide mariners in making the westerly turn into the Straits, and to warn them of the shoals and shallows surrounding the island. Three years later in 1832, Congress acted on Stephen Pleasonton’s recommendation that a lightship be placed on Waugoshance Shoal as the first attempt to mark the western entrance to the Straits. In 1838, Lieutenant James T. Homans reported that the lightship was wholly inadequate. He recommended a better solution for Waugoshance and also that a light be built on the point to the west of Mackinaw Harbor. Nothing came of Homans' recommendations. In 1854, the new Lighthouse Administration decided (against the recommendation of local residents) to put a light at McGulpin Point, approximately to the west of Old Point Mackinaw.

Construction

In 1889, the

United States Lighthouse Board The United States Lighthouse Board was the second agency of the U.S. federal government, under the Department of Treasury, responsible for the construction and maintenance of all lighthouses and navigation aids in the United States, between 18 ...

realized that Mackinaw Point was a better location. Their first inclination was to put a

fog signal A foghorn or fog signal is a device that uses sound to warn vehicles of navigational hazards such as rocky coastlines, or boats of the presence of other vessels, in foggy conditions. The term is most often used in relation to marine transport. W ...

there, but when asking Congress for funding, they requested funding for both a fog signal and a first class

. Congress chose to accept their recommendation, but only voted the funding for a steam-powered fog-signal. The fog signal was built in 1890. The signal proved to be exceptionally necessary for navigation in the often fog-choked Straits of Mackinac; during one exceptionally humid fortnight, the Old Mackinac Point signal personnel reported burning 52

cord Cord or CORD may refer to: People * Alex Cord (1933–2021), American actor and writer * Chris Cord (born 1940), American racing driver * Errett Lobban Cord (1894–1974) American industrialist * Ronnie Cord (1943–1986), Brazilian singer * Co ...

s of stove wood in order to keep steam up for the foghorn. The lighthouse "grew out of the fog station."

National Park Service The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government within the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages all national parks, most national monuments, and other natural, historical, and recreational propertie ...

br>Maritime History Project, Inventory of Historic Lights, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.
/ref> In March 1891, Congress finally authorized the funding for a light station and the board acted quickly. Bidding was difficult, but in 1892, "on a foundation of ashlar limestone, the tower and attached keeper’s dwelling were both constructed of

Cream City brick Cream City brick is a cream or light yellow-colored brick made from a clay found around Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the Menomonee River Valley and on the western banks of Lake Michigan. These bricks were one of the most common building materials u ...

, trimmed with

Indiana Limestone Indiana limestone — also known as Bedford limestone in the building trade — has long been an economically important building material, particularly for monumental public structures. Indiana limestone is a more common term for Salem Limestone, ...

. The double-walled cylindrical tower was laid with an outside diameter of , and as each course was added, rose to a height of , surmounted by a circular iron gallery and an diameter watch room, which was in turn capped by a prefabricated octagonal iron lantern." The lens is a fourth order

Fresnel Lens A Fresnel lens ( ; ; or ) is a type of composite compact lens developed by the French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788–1827) for use in lighthouses. It has been called "the invention that saved a million ships." The design allows the c ...

. Its light was visible for , which made it "particularly valuable" to the

railroad car ferries A train ferry is a ship ( ferry) designed to carry railway vehicles. Typically, one level of the ship is fitted with railway tracks, and the vessel has a door at the front and/or rear to give access to the wharves. In the United States, train ...

SS ''Chief Wawatam'' and SS ''Sainte Marie'' operated between Mackinaw City and

St. Ignace St. Ignace is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Mackinac County. The city had a population of 2,452 at the 2010 census. St. Ignace Township is located just to the north of the city, but the two are administered auto ...

Deactivation and preservation

The completion of the

in 1957 eliminated the need for the light. Since the Mackinac Bridge has lights on it at night, the bridge became a much better

aid to navigation In international relations, aid (also known as international aid, overseas aid, foreign aid, economic aid or foreign assistance) is – from the perspective of governments – a voluntary transfer of resources from one country to another. Ai ...

than the light. Old Mackinac Point Light

In 1960, the lighthouse property was purchased by the

Mackinac Island State Park Commission The Mackinac Island State Park Commission is an appointed board of the State of Michigan that administers state parklands in the Straits of Mackinac area. It performs public activities under the name Mackinac State Historic Parks. Park units incl ...

, incorporating it into surrounding

. The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in November 1969, as Reference #69000068 (listed as: Mackinac Point Lighthouse). It is also a registered Michigan Historic Landmark. The Michigan Historical Marker on site states: *Mackinac Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse complex, including the lightkeeper's quarters and tower, was reopened to the public in 2004 by Mackinac State Historic Parks as part of the

Fort Michilimackinac Fort Michilimackinac was an 18th-century French, and later British, fort and trading post at the Straits of Mackinac; it was built on the northern tip of the lower peninsula of the present-day state of Michigan in the United States. Built aroun ...

complex. The light's original Fresnel lens is on display. An admission fee is charged. A state historical marker was erected in 1972. It is Registered Site S0377. The marker states: :"This lighthouse is opposite the turning point for ships making the difficult passage through the Straits of Mackinac, one of the busiest crossroads of the

Great Lakes The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in the mid-east region of North America that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. There are five lakes ...

McGulpin Point Light McGulpin Point Light was constructed as a navigational aid through the Straits of Mackinac. The light began operation in 1869, making it one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the Straits. Only in operation until 1906, the light is located ...

, two miles to the west, had been established in 1856, but it was not visible from all directions. In 1889 Congress appropriated funds for the construction of a steam-powered fog signal here, which went into operation on November 5, 1890. Construction of the light tower and attached lightkeepers' dwelling began, and the light was first displayed on October 25, 1892. Heavy iron and brass castings were used throughout the structure, and the light was visible to ships sixteen miles away. In operation until 1958, the lighthouse is now a maritime museum." In 2000, serious restoration was undertaken, with the intent of restoring it to its appearance around 1910. The lighthouse is reopened to the public, and the castle-style structure, which design is unique in the

was restored. the first floor is fully accessible, and includes period furnishings and accoutrement, plus hands-on exhibits that test one's nighttime navigation skills, light a miniature Fresnel lens, and put on

Lighthouse keeper A lighthouse keeper or lightkeeper is a person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Lighthouse keepers were sometimes referred to as ...

clothing. Historic interpreters lead tours up the tower and into the lantern room. Starting in 2018, major exterior and interior masonry restoration was undertaken by National Restoration Inc.

Current status and getting there

Sign, Old Mackinack Point Lighthouse 4550

Adjacent to the

, the park offers a good view of the bridge and boat traffic. Admission is through the 1907

Fog Signal A foghorn or fog signal is a device that uses sound to warn vehicles of navigational hazards such as rocky coastlines, or boats of the presence of other vessels, in foggy conditions. The term is most often used in relation to marine transport. W ...

Building, which houses the museum store. An admission fee is charged. Pets are welcome. The tower is open to the public. The lighthouse is located within

Michilimackinac Michilimackinac ( ) is derived from an Ottawa Ojibwe name for present-day Mackinac Island and the region around the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.. Early settlers of North America applied the term to the entire region ...

State Park, just a few hundred feet east of the

and the Colonial Michilimackinac Visitors Center. At this time the light is a museum run b
Mackinac Parks Commission
Because of its prime location and exposure to tourists, plus its unique picturesque form and color, it is the subject of photographs, drawings, and

needlepoint Needlepoint is a type of canvas work, a form of embroidery in which yarn is stitched through a stiff open weave canvas. Traditionally needlepoint designs completely cover the canvas. Although needlepoint may be worked in a variety of stitches, m ...

illustrations. Historical photographs are a prominent feature of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission website. An exciting and expensive alternative is to charter a

seaplane A seaplane is a powered fixed-wing aircraft capable of takeoff, taking off and water landing, landing (alighting) on water.Gunston, "The Cambridge Aerospace Dictionary", 2009. Seaplanes are usually divided into two categories based on their tec ...

to make a tour of the Mackinac Straits and environs.

References

External links

History and current information about Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Aerial photos, Old Mackinac Point Light, marinas.com.

Huelse, Klaus -- ''Meine Leuchtturm-Seite: Leuchttürme USA auf historischen Postkarten'' -- ''Historic postcard images of U.S. lighthouses'', Historic Post Card View — Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

* ttp://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/mapIt.htm?file=GL/HuronNE.xml Lake Huron Northern Lighthouses Mapped by Google
Lighthouses in the Mackinac Straits, Lighthouse Friends.

* ttp://www.mackinacparks.com/old-mackinac-point-lighthouse/ Mackinac Parks, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, official website.
Satellite view

Google Maps Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets ( Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and rou ...

.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - United States Lighthouses
{{authority control Lighthouses completed in 1892 Houses completed in 1892 Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan Lighthouse museums in Michigan Museums in Cheboygan County, Michigan National Register of Historic Places in Cheboygan County, Michigan Michigan State Historic Sites