Old Mackinac Point Light facts for kids
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| Old Mackinac Point Light in November 2022 | |
| Location | Mackinaw City, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 45°47′15″N 84°43′46″W / 45.78750°N 84.72944°W |
| Year first constructed | 1892 |
| Year first lit | 1892 |
| Deactivated | 1957 |
| Foundation | Ashlar limestone |
| Construction | Cream City brick |
| Tower shape | Cylindrical "castle" with attached dwelling |
| Markings / pattern | Natural with black lantern |
| Height | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Focal height | 62 feet (19 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 14 nautical miles; 26 kilometres (16 mi) |
The Old Mackinac Point Light is a historic lighthouse in Mackinaw City, Michigan. It sits at the very top of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. This lighthouse is now part of Fort Michilimackinac State Park. It is located just east of the famous Mackinac Bridge.
The lighthouse was built in 1892. It stands where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet, in an area called the Straits of Mackinac. The lighthouse stopped working in 1957. Today, it is a popular museum that people can visit.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Even before European explorers arrived, the Straits of Mackinac were a dangerous place for boats. Native American tribes like the Ojibwa would light fires on the shore to guide travelers.
In the early 1800s, more large ships started using the Straits. To help guide them, the Bois Blanc Lighthouse was built in 1829. It helped sailors turn safely into the Straits and warned them about shallow areas.
Later, in 1832, a special lightship was placed at Waugoshance Shoal. This was the first attempt to mark the western entrance to the Straits. However, it wasn't very good. In 1854, a lighthouse was built at McGulpin Point. This was about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of where the Old Mackinac Point Light stands today.
Building the Lighthouse
By 1889, the United States Lighthouse Board realized that Mackinaw Point was a much better spot for a light. They first wanted to build a fog signal there. They asked Congress for money to build both a fog signal and a large lighthouse. Congress only approved money for the steam-powered fog signal.
The fog signal was built in 1890. It was very important for ships, especially when the Straits were foggy. The lighthouse was then built right next to the fog signal. In 1891, Congress finally gave money for the lighthouse itself.
Construction began in 1892. The lighthouse tower and the keeper's house were built from Cream City brick. They stood on a strong Ashlar limestone foundation. The tower was about 45 feet (13.7 m) tall. It had a circular iron walkway and a watch room at the top. The light used a special Fresnel lens to make its beam strong and clear.
The light from the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse could be seen for 16 miles (25.7 km). This was very helpful for the large railroad car ferries. These ferries, like the SS Chief Wawatam and SS Sainte Marie, carried trains across the Straits.
Lighthouse Deactivation and Preservation
The Mackinac Bridge was finished in 1957. Once the bridge was built, it had its own lights at night. These lights made the lighthouse no longer needed to guide ships. So, the Old Mackinac Point Light was turned off.
In 1960, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission bought the lighthouse property. It became part of the surrounding Fort Michilimackinac State Park. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. It is also a registered Michigan Historic Landmark.
A special marker was placed at the site in 1977. It explains that the lighthouse was important for ships in the busy Straits of Mackinac. It also mentions that the fog signal started in 1890 and the light in 1892. The marker notes that the lighthouse became a museum after it stopped working in 1958.
Starting in 2000, major work was done to restore the lighthouse. The goal was to make it look like it did around 1910. The lighthouse complex, including the keeper's home and tower, reopened to the public in 2004. It is now part of the Fort Michilimackinac complex. The original Fresnel lens is on display for visitors to see. More restoration work on the building's exterior and interior happened in 2018.
Today, the first floor of the lighthouse is easy to access. It has old furniture and exhibits. You can try out navigation skills or even try on Lighthouse keeper clothing. Guides lead tours up the tower to the lantern room. There is an admission fee to enter.
Visiting the Lighthouse
The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse is right next to the Mackinac Bridge. This location offers great views of the bridge and the boats passing by.
You enter the museum through the 1907 Fog Signal Building. This building also has a museum store. There is an admission fee to get in. Pets are welcome to visit the grounds.
The lighthouse tower is open for visitors to climb.
The lighthouse is located inside Michilimackinac State Park. It's just a short walk east of the Mackinac Bridge and the Colonial Michilimackinac Visitors Center. The Mackinac Parks Commission runs the lighthouse as a museum.
Because of its beautiful location and unique look, the lighthouse is a popular subject for photos and artwork. You can even find historical pictures on the Mackinac Island State Park Commission website.
See also
- Great Lakes Storm of 1913
- Shipwrecks of the 1913 Great Lakes storm
- List of victims of the 1913 Great Lakes storm
- Lighthouses in the United States
