Alpena Lights

The old and new lights of Alpena Harbor stand across the river from one another. I think its an interesting contrast.

Alpena North Breakwater Light

This light is the third such structure built at this location. It was built in 1914, housed a 4th-Order lens and was originally colored black. In the mid-50's it recieved its present red paint job and lost its original Fresnel lens for a more modern light.

Alpena North Breakwater Light

This light is the third such structure built at this location. It was built in 1914, housed a 4th-Order lens and was originally colored black. In the mid-50's it recieved its present red paint job and lost its original Fresnel lens for a more modern light.

Alpena South Breakwater Light

I couldn't find any info on this modern light. Its not particularly pretty but the snow and ice help. It stands directly across the river from the old Alpena light.

Charlevoix Pierhead Lighthouse

The present tower was activated in 1948 and was, until the early 1980's, painted bright red. It sits at the mouth of the "world's shortest river," the Pine River which empties Lake Charlevoix into Lake Michigan.

Charlevoix Pierhead Lighthouse

The present tower was activated in 1948 and was, until the early 1980's, painted bright red. It sits at the mouth of the "world's shortest river," the Pine River which empties Lake Charlevoix into Lake Michigan.

Charlevoix Pierhead Lighthouse

The present tower was activated in 1948 and was, until the early 1980's, painted bright red. It sits at the mouth of the "world's shortest river," the Pine River which empties Lake Charlevoix into Lake Michigan.

Cheboygan Crib Lighthouse

This light, built in 1884, originally sat offshore upon a wooden crib. The light itself was fully automated in 1929. By the 1980's the lighthouse had developed an alarming list. The Coast Guard had plans to dynamite the structure but, in 1984, a local preservation group arranged to have the tower moved from the crib onshore to its present location along the breakwall.

Cheboygan Crib Lighthouse

This light, built in 1884, originally sat offshore upon a wooden crib. The light itself was fully automated in 1929. By the 1980's the lighthouse had developed an alarming list. The Coast Guard had plans to dynamite the structure but, in 1984, a local preservation group arranged to have the tower moved from the crib onshore to its present location along the breakwall.

Cheboygan Crib Lighthouse

This light, built in 1884, originally sat offshore upon a wooden crib. The light itself was fully automated in 1929. By the 1980's the lighthouse had developed an alarming list. The Coast Guard had plans to dynamite the structure but, in 1984, a local preservation group arranged to have the tower moved from the crib onshore to its present location along the breakwall.

Cheboygan River Front Range Light

Active in 1880, the lighthouse is open on weekends seasonally to visitors.

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

The Ft. Gratiot light is the second structure to sit on this spot. This isn't to say it's young. The current light was established in 1829, replacing its 4-year old predecessor. The tower stood 74-feet tall until raised to its present 82-feet in 1861 when it was fitted with a 4th Order Fresnel Lens. The light has been a steadfast sentinel for ships entering and leaving Lake Huron for almost 180 years now. The light remains active and sits on Coast Guard property.

Forty Mile Point Lighthouse

First lit in 1897, Forty Mile Point light originally housed a 4th Order Fresnel lens. The need for a lighthouse in this area is apparent by a nearby shipwreck vcipherisible on the beach to the north. The light was automated in 1969 and is now open to the public in the summer as part of a nice county park.

Forty Mile Point Lighthouse

First lit in 1897, Forty Mile Point light originally housed a 4th Order Fresnel lens. The need for a lighthouse in this area is apparent by a nearby shipwreck vcipherisible on the beach to the north. The light was automated in 1969 and is now open to the public in the summer as part of a nice county park.

Forty Mile Point Lighthouse

First lit in 1897, Forty Mile Point light originally housed a 4th Order Fresnel lens. The need for a lighthouse in this area is apparent by a nearby shipwreck vcipherisible on the beach to the north. The light was automated in 1969 and is now open to the public in the summer as part of a nice county park.

Fourteen Foot Shoal Lighthouse

Fourteen Foot Shoal sits offshore of Cheboygan Harbor. Built in 1950 it is completely automated. The tower to the right is the Cheboygan Pierhead light.

Frankfort North Breakwater Light

Built in 1912, the North Breakwater Light replaced the outdated (and now demolished) South Pierhead Light. It stands 44 feet tall and originally housed a Fourth Order lens. The unusual looking second-story door is evidence of a planned catwalk out to the light which was never built.

Frankfort North Breakwater Light

Built in 1912, the North Breakwater Light replaced the outdated (and now demolished) South Pierhead Light. It stands 44 feet tall and originally housed a Fourth Order lens. The unusual looking second-story door is evidence of a planned catwalk out to the light which was never built.

Frankfort North Breakwater Light

Built in 1912, the North Breakwater Light replaced the outdated (and now demolished) South Pierhead Light. It stands 44 feet tall and originally housed a Fourth Order lens. The unusual looking second-story door is evidence of a planned catwalk out to the light which was never built.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Light is one of the older lights in Michigan. Built in 1858, the second light on this spot, it housed a Fifth Order Lens from its 48 foot tower. It is located in Leelanau State Park at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. In the summer the building houses a nice museum and the surrounding beaches are great for rockhounds.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Light is one of the older lights in Michigan. Built in 1858, the second light on this spot, it housed a Fifth Order Lens from its 48 foot tower. It is located in Leelanau State Park at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. In the summer the building houses a nice museum and the surrounding beaches are great for rockhounds.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Light is one of the older lights in Michigan. Built in 1858, the second light on this spot, it housed a Fifth Order Lens from its 48 foot tower. It is located in Leelanau State Park at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. In the summer the building houses a nice museum and the surrounding beaches are great for rockhounds.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Light is one of the older lights in Michigan. Built in 1858, the second light on this spot, it housed a Fifth Order Lens from its 48 foot tower. It is located in Leelanau State Park at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. In the summer the building houses a nice museum and the surrounding beaches are great for rockhounds.

Harbor Beach Lighthouse

The first light was constructed at Harbor Beach in 1875 and was of a skeleton style not unlike the Charlevoix light. A huge storm in 1883 nearly destroyed the little light and made clear that a sturdier structure was needed. The current light was lit in 1885 and stands 45' above the break wall. Its 5/8 inch steel skin protects it from the worst Lake Huron can throw at it. The light remains active.

Little Traverse Lighthouse

The Little Traverse Light was first lit in 1884 and its 4th Order Lens was visible across the entirety of Little Traverse Bay, up to 13 miles. Unfortunately, this pretty little light is all but impossible to visit. The property it sits on is owned by a very upscale gated community and is strictly off-limits to visitors. The only way to see it is by boat or, as I did, by walking the frozen lake during winter.

Little Traverse Lighthouse

The Little Traverse Light was first lit in 1884 and its 4th Order Lens was visible across the entirety of Little Traverse Bay, up to 13 miles. Unfortunately, this pretty little light is all but impossible to visit. The property it sits on is owned by a very upscale gated community and is strictly off-limits to visitors. The only way to see it is by boat or, as I did, by walking the frozen lake during winter.

Little Traverse Lighthouse

The Little Traverse Light was first lit in 1884 and its 4th Order Lens was visible across the entirety of Little Traverse Bay, up to 13 miles. Unfortunately, this pretty little light is all but impossible to visit. The property it sits on is owned by a very upscale gated community and is strictly off-limits to visitors. The only way to see it is by boat or, as I did, by walking the frozen lake during winter.

Little Traverse Lighthouse

The Little Traverse Light was first lit in 1884 and its 4th Order Lens was visible across the entirety of Little Traverse Bay, up to 13 miles. Unfortunately, this pretty little light is all but impossible to visit. The property it sits on is owned by a very upscale gated community and is strictly off-limits to visitors. The only way to see it is by boat or, as I did, by walking the frozen lake during winter.

Mackinac Bridge Reflections

The Mighty Mac from the shoreline in front of the Old Mackinac Light.

New Presque Isle Lighthouse

In 1866 plans were drawn up to replace the smaller "Old" Presque Isle light and replace it with a larger structure. The result is the "New" Presque Isle Light. It began operation in 1871 and stands 113 feet tall. A hundred and thirty-plus years later the light is still active, though automated. During the summer the dwellings and tower are open to the public and the surrounding grounds have a number of nice trails.

New Presque Isle Lighthouse

In 1866 plans were drawn up to replace the smaller "Old" Presque Isle light and replace it with a larger structure. The result is the "New" Presque Isle Light. It began operation in 1871 and stands 113 feet tall. A hundred and thirty-plus years later the light is still active, though automated. During the summer the dwellings and tower are open to the public and the surrounding grounds have a number of nice trails.

New Presque Isle Lighthouse

In 1866 plans were drawn up to replace the smaller "Old" Presque Isle light and replace it with a larger structure. The result is the "New" Presque Isle Light. It began operation in 1871 and stands 113 feet tall. A hundred and thirty-plus years later the light is still active, though automated. During the summer the dwellings and tower are open to the public and the surrounding grounds have a number of nice trails.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Built in 1892, the Old Mackinac Point light originally housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. Rectoration began on the light in 2001 and the lighthouse re-opened to visitors in 2004. During the summer you can climb the tower for a beautiful view of the straits.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Built in 1892, the Old Mackinac Point light originally housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. Rectoration began on the light in 2001 and the lighthouse re-opened to visitors in 2004. During the summer you can climb the tower for a beautiful view of the straits.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Built in 1892, the Old Mackinac Point light originally housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. Rectoration began on the light in 2001 and the lighthouse re-opened to visitors in 2004. During the summer you can climb the tower for a beautiful view of the straits.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Built in 1892, the Old Mackinac Point light originally housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. Rectoration began on the light in 2001 and the lighthouse re-opened to visitors in 2004. During the summer you can climb the tower for a beautiful view of the straits.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Built in 1892, the Old Mackinac Point light originally housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. Restoration began on the light in 2001 and the lighthouse re-opened to visitors in 2004. During the summer you can climb the tower for a beautiful view of the straits.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Built in 1892, the Old Mackinac Point light originally housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. Restoration began on the light in 2001 and the lighthouse re-opened to visitors in 2004. During the summer you can climb the tower for a beautiful view of the straits.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Built in 1892, the Old Mackinac Point light originally housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. Restoration began on the light in 2001 and the lighthouse re-opened to visitors in 2004. During the summer you can climb the tower for a beautiful view of the straits.

Old Mission Point Lighthouse

First operational in late 1870, the Old Mission Light can only be described as "cute." It stands on a small sand bluff guarding the entrances to both arms Grand Traverse Bay about 20 miles north of Traverse City. A nice park surrounds the light but the structure itself is private property and off-limits. The location is beautiful and one of my favorite spots to visit.

Old Mission Point Lighthouse

First operational in late 1870, the Old Mission Light can only be described as "cute." It stands on a small sand bluff guarding the entrances to both arms Grand Traverse Bay about 20 miles north of Traverse City. A nice park surrounds the light but the structure itself is private property and off-limits. The location is beautiful and one of my favorite spots to visit.

Old Mission Point Lighthouse

First operational in late 1870, the Old Mission Light can only be described as "cute." It stands on a small sand bluff guarding the entrances to both arms Grand Traverse Bay about 20 miles north of Traverse City. A nice park surrounds the light but the structure itself is private property and off-limits. The location is beautiful and one of my favorite spots to visit.

Old Mission Point Lighthouse

First operational in late 1870, the Old Mission Light can only be described as "cute." It stands on a small sand bluff guarding the entrances to both arms Grand Traverse Bay about 20 miles north of Traverse City. A nice park surrounds the light but the structure itself is private property and off-limits. The location is beautiful and one of my favorite spots to visit.

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

This is an old light, lit in 1840. The tower is a 30-foot stone structure with a neat English cottage style keepers dwelling adjacent. It operated until 1870 when it was replaced by the much larger structure just up the road. In the summer you can drive in to tour the cottage and climb the tower. When I visited I needed to break out the snowshoes to make the half-mile walk in.

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

This is an old light, lit in 1840. The tower is a 30-foot stone structure with a neat English cottage style keepers dwelling adjacent. It operated until 1870 when it was replaced by the much larger structure just up the road. In the summer you can drive in to tour the cottage and climb the tower. When I visited I needed to break out the snowshoes to make the half-mile walk in.

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

This is an old light, lit in 1840. The tower is a 30-foot stone structure with a neat English cottage style keepers dwelling adjacent. It operated until 1870 when it was replaced by the much larger structure just up the road. In the summer you can drive in to tour the cottage and climb the tower. When I visited I needed to break out the snowshoes to make the half-mile walk in.

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

This is an old light, lit in 1840. The tower is a 30-foot stone structure with a neat English cottage style keepers dwelling adjacent. It operated until 1870 when it was replaced by the much larger structure just up the road. In the summer you can drive in to tour the cottage and climb the tower. When I visited I needed to break out the snowshoes to make the half-mile walk in.

Petoskey Pierhead Light

By itself it's not exactly the most beautiful light, the setting gives this light its beauty. The hills of Harbor Springs and Boyne Highlands lie across the bay.