McGulpin Point Light facts for kids
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| McGulpin Point Light in October 2023 | |
| Location | Straits of Mackinac, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°47′13″N 84°46′20″W / 45.78690°N 84.7722°W |
| Year first constructed | 1869 |
| Year first lit | 1869, 2009 |
| Deactivated | 1906 |
| Construction | Cream City brick |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Markings / pattern | natural |
| Height | 38 feet (12 m) |
| Focal height | 102 feet (31 m) |
| Original lens | 3.5 order Fresnel lens |
The McGulpin Point Light is an old lighthouse that helped ships find their way through the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan. It started working in 1869, making it one of the oldest lighthouses still standing in the Straits area.
This lighthouse was only used until 1906. You can find it on McGulpin Point, about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Fort Michilimackinac. Since 2008, Emmet County has owned the McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site. It even became an official private navigation aid on the NOAA chart map in 2009.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Building and Using the Light
The McGulpin Point Light was finished in 1869. It cost $20,000 to build. This lighthouse was special because it had a light tower connected to the lighthouse keeper's living area. The living area was a brick building with one and a half stories.
The lighthouse helped guide ships during the Great Lakes shipping seasons from 1869 until 1906. Its design was so good that the Lighthouse Board used it for other lighthouses too. These included Eagle Harbor Light, White River Light, and Sand Island Light.
James Davenport was the only lighthouse keeper at McGulpin Point. He worked there for 27 years! James would travel through the snow every week to check on the lighthouse. He also sent important reports about the ice conditions in the Straits. These reports helped everyone know when ships could safely travel through the lakes each spring.
Saving the Lighthouse
In 1906, the McGulpin Point Light was turned off. This happened because the nearby Old Mackinac Point Light was doing a good job of guiding ships. After it was turned off, the top part of the lighthouse, called the lantern room, was removed. The building then became a private home.
In 2008, Emmet County decided to buy the lighthouse and the land around it. This included 11.5 acres (4.7 ha) of property and some land for visitor parking. The county wanted to make it a historic place for everyone to enjoy.
With help from a group called the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association and other people, the missing lantern room was rebuilt. In April 2009, a new lantern room was put on top of the lighthouse. The McGulpin Point Light was officially lit up again on May 30, 2009! About 1,200 people came to celebrate this special event.
What the Lighthouse is Like Today
As of 2019, the McGulpin Point Lighthouse was not yet listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, Emmet County has owned it since 2008.
Since May 30, 2009, McGulpin Point Light has been a private "Aid to Navigation" on the NOAA chart map. This means it helps guide boats, even though it's not a government-run lighthouse anymore. The light flashes white for 3.0 seconds, helping sailors in the Straits of Mackinac.
In the summer, volunteers help run the lighthouse. You can visit the lighthouse and even go up into the tower and the rebuilt lantern room. In 2019, tours cost $3 per person. You could also stay overnight at the McGulpin Point Cottage on the grounds.
See also
- Lighthouses in the United States
