Photo by GrandTraverseLighthouse.com
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within the Leelanau State Park, about eight miles north of the town of Northport. It’s one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes, and has guided ships in the Manitou Passage of Lake Michigan for close to 150 years. This lighthouse is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation and you may tour the historic and educational museum, which depicts a lighthouse keeper’s dwelling from the early 1900s. You will find a variety of exhibits depicting a broad spectrum of maritime and local history. Inside the lighthouse you can view various exhibits, including shipwrecks, foghorns, and other area lighthouses. Demonstrations on the foghorn take place throughout the year, and a small admission fee lets you climb the tower where you are treated to fantastic views of Lake Michigan.
In 1858, the present light was built, replacing a separate round tower which was built in 1852. Many refer to this as Northport Light, as it is near the town of Northport, or “Cat’s Head Point Light.” In 1852, the first light was built…a brick tower and separate keeper’s quarters in the state park campground. Just six years later in 1858, these structures were razed and the present light was constructed.
The Fourth Order Fresnel Lens is on display in the keeper’s quarters, and the light itself is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The North Pierhead Lighthouse, located in the Victorian Port City of Manistee, stands watch over Lake Michigan.
Ludington’s North Breakwater Light is the number one lighthouse to see in Michigan! Take a trip along the breakwater path to see it up close!
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
Built in 1875, this lighthouse is more than a century old and has an enormous amount of history to explore inside its museum.
112-feet of lighthouse awaits you at the Ludington State Park! Take a tour and follow the winding staircase to the top!
The North and South Pierhead Lights are located in Pentwater along Lake Michigan and are rare pier range light systems along the Great Lakes.
It’s a site to behold as visitors of the Grand Haven Lighthouse & Pier walk under a string of twinkling lights.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse is located in the Silver Lake State Parks, home of the sand dunes along Lake Michigan.
