Mission Point Light facts for kids
| Location | Peninsula Township, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°59′28.7″N 85°28′46.1″W / 44.991306°N 85.479472°W |
| Year first constructed | 1870 |
| Year first lit | 1870 |
| Deactivated | 1933 |
| Construction | Wood |
| Tower shape | Square tower on dwelling |
| Markings / pattern | White with black trim |
| Height | 36 feet (11 m) |
| Focal height | 47 feet (14 m) |
| Original lens | Fifth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 8.7 nautical miles; 16 kilometres (10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing W 6 seconds. |
The Mission Point Light is a historic lighthouse in Michigan. It stands at the very end of Old Mission Point. This area is a long piece of land reaching into Grand Traverse Bay. The lighthouse is about 17 miles (27 km) north of Traverse City.
It was built in 1870 to help guide ships safely. The lighthouse looks just like the Mama Juda Light, which was built a few years earlier. That lighthouse was on the Detroit River but is no longer standing.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse
The Mission Point Light was built on a natural sandy area. Its structure is made of wood. The building is painted white with black trim. A square tower is attached right to the main building where the lighthouse keeper lived.
Inside the tower, a special light called a Fifth Order Fresnel lens was placed. This lens helped make the light very bright and focused. The building itself was not very tall, only one and a half stories. However, it was built on a sand bank that was 14 feet (4.3 m) above the lake. This made the light's beam shine from 47 feet (14 m) high. Ships could see its light from about 13 miles (21 km) away. Keeping the sand dune safe from waves was always a challenge.
A New Light Takes Over
For 67 years, the Mission Point Light warned sailors about dangerous shallow areas. But over time, new ways of building things in the water were invented. Lighthouse technology also improved, making lights automatic.
Because of these changes, a new navigation light was built right on the shallow area itself. In 1938, work began on a pier for this new light. It was placed in 19 feet (5.8 m) of water, about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Mission Point. This new light ran on batteries. It was on a 36-foot (11 m) tall tower. Its light shone from 52 feet (16 m) high, making it visible for 13 miles (21 km). The light flashed every 30 seconds to save power.
The Mission Point Lighthouse was turned off in 1933. The State of Michigan then bought the property.
Where is it Located?
The lighthouse is famous for being very close to the 45th parallel north. This imaginary line is exactly halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. You can find signs near the lighthouse that mark this special location. There are only 29 known places in the U.S. with such signs, and six of them are in Michigan!
Visiting Mission Point Light Today
The lighthouse is now part of Old Mission State Park. Peninsula Township manages it as Lighthouse Park. You can find it at the very northern end of M-37.
In 2008, the lighthouse opened to the public for the first time. For many years, it had been the home of the park manager. Now, it has a small museum for visitors to explore.
The area around the lighthouse is very popular for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy cross country skiing there in the winter. There is also a boat launch, which is a favorite spot for sea kayakers. The beautiful Old Mission Peninsula is known as a great place for sea kayaking. The bay offers protection from strong winds and waves from Lake Michigan. You can find maps, rentals, and guided tours if you want to try kayaking.
Because of its unique look and lovely surroundings, the Mission Point Light is a popular subject for photos and artwork.
See also
- Lighthouses in the United States
