Captain John's Custom Photos & Framing

Michigan Lighthouses - Mackinaw Straights Lighthouse - Mackinaw City, Michigan


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This light is opposite the turning point for ships through the Straights of Mackinac, one of the busiest crossroads of the Great Lakes. In 1889 Congress appropriated funds for the construction of a steam powered fog signal here, which went into operation on November 5, 1890. McGulpins Point light, two miles to the west, had been established in 1856, but it was not visible from all directions. In March 1891 Congress appropriated $20,000 to build a lighthouse at this site thus, the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and attached lightkeeper's dwelling was built in 1893 to aid navigation in the dangerous waters of the Straits of Mackinac. Heavy iron and brass castings were used throughout the structure, and the light was visible to ships sixteen miles away. In operation until 1957, the lighthouse is now a museum.

The Mackinaw Area is one of the world's largest concentrations of Lighthouses. In all, a total of 18 lighthouses stand within 20 miles of Mackinaw City. The old Mackinac Point Lighthouse sits at the foot of the Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City (bridge is visible in several of the pictures above).

Go back to the Michigan Lighthouses index page