Michigan Island Light facts for kids
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| The current tower | |
 Michigan Island Light
Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | Michigan Island, Wisconsin |
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| Coordinates | 46°52′17.154″N 90°29′49.545″W / 46.87143167°N 90.49709583°W |
| Year first constructed | 1857 |
| Year first lit | 1869 |
| Automated | 1943 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Steel |
| Tower shape | White, Skeletal with a central column |
| Height | 118 feet (36 m) |
| Focal height | 170 feet (52 m) |
| Original lens | Third and half order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | 12-inch (300 mm)Tideland Signal ML-300 Acrylic Optic |
| Range | 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) |
| Characteristic | White, Flashing, 6 sec |
| ARLHS number | USA-494 |
| USCG number | 7-15275 |
The Michigan Island Lighthouse is a cool old lighthouse. It's found on Michigan Island in Lake Superior, which is one of the Great Lakes. The National Park Service takes care of it today. It's part of the beautiful Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Michigan Island has had two important lighthouses. The first one was built in 1857. But it didn't start working until 1869. This first lighthouse helped guide ships until 1929.
The New Tower
In 1929, a new, taller lighthouse was built. This one is 118-foot (36 m) (about 36 meters) tall. It's a skeletal tower, meaning it looks like a metal frame. This newer lighthouse is still used today.
The light from this tower was very strong. It used a special lens called a Fresnel lens. This lens, along with a bright 24,000-candela electric light, made the light super visible. The light was placed high up on a cliff, 170-foot (52 m) (about 52 meters) above the water. This meant ships could see it from "a remarkable 22 miles" away.
These powerful lights were rare. Only about a dozen were used across the country. Most of them were on the Great Lakes. They were usually put in places that were very dangerous for ships. Other Great Lakes lighthouses that had similar strong lenses included DeTour Reef Light, Eagle Bluff Light, and Whitefish Point Light.
Changes to the Light
Over time, the lighthouse's equipment was updated. In 1972, the original Fresnel lens was replaced. A newer, more modern light called a DCB-224 aero beacon was put in. Later, this was also replaced with an even newer light.
The original Fresnel lens is now on display. You can see it at the visitor center for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Bayfield.
Lighthouse Design
The Michigan Island tower looks similar to other lighthouses. It shares its design with towers like the Rawley Point Light on Lake Michigan. It also looks like the Whitefish Point Light at the eastern end of Lake Superior.
However, the Michigan Island tower has a small brick building at its base. This building was likely a workroom. It was used by the early lighthouse keepers. These keepers were the people who lived at the lighthouse and kept the light working.
Current Status
Today, the National Park Service owns the Michigan Island Lighthouse. It's an important part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The lighthouse is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special historical site. It was added to the list in 1977.
Visiting the Lighthouse
Many of the lighthouses in the Apostle Islands are open to visitors. You can often reach them by water taxi or private boat in the summer. During the Annual Apostle Island Lighthouse Celebration, special ferry tours are available. These tours let you see all the lighthouses.
When you visit during the tourist season, you might meet volunteer park rangers. They are often on the islands to welcome visitors. They can tell you more about the lighthouses.
Images for kids
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U.S. Coast Guard archive photo
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The original Michigan Island light
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Original Michigan Island lighthouse lens, on display at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore office in Bayfield
