South Manitou Island Lighthouse facts for kids

The South Manitou Island Lighthouse stands on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. It is about 16 miles (26 km) west of Leland, Michigan. This historic lighthouse is located in Leelanau County, in the western part of Northern Michigan.

History of the Lighthouse

The lighthouse you see today is actually the third one built on South Manitou Island. Work on the very first lighthouse started in 1839. It was a 1-1/2-story building with a light in its top part. This first light began shining in 1840. William N. Burton, who also ran a successful lumber business, was its first Lighthouse keeper.

The original light used a special type of lamp called a Lewis lamp. Later, it was updated with a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Over time, the building started to wear down. Because of this, the lighthouse was completely rebuilt in 1858.

However, even this second light wasn't quite strong enough for the busy lake. So, the current lighthouse was built in 1872. This new lighthouse has a third-order Fresnel lens. This powerful lens sits 91 feet (28 m) above the ground. Its light shines from 104 feet (32 m) above the water.

An old photo of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse

The view from the lighthouse catwalk looking Northeast

Today, the National Park Service manages the lighthouse. It is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The lighthouse stopped being used in 1958. Now, it is a museum where visitors can learn about its past. It no longer guides ships.

Why the Lighthouse Was So Important

The lighthouse on South Manitou Island was very important for ships. It helped guide them through the "Manitou Passage." This passage is a long stretch of water between the Straits of Mackinac and Chicago. It's about 300 miles (480 km) long.

Sailors preferred this passage because it was safer than the open lake. Imagine, over 150 years ago, more than 1,000 ships might pass through here every day! They carried people and goods across the Great Lakes. Even though it was safer, the passage could still be dangerous. Storms could appear quickly.

In 1838, the government decided to spend $5,000 to build a light on South Manitou Island. The island was a great place for ships to find shelter from storms. It also had fuel for steamships. Experts said it was the only safe harbor for large ships on the 300-mile route from the Straits of Mackinac to Chicago.

For sailors caught in a storm, seeing the lighthouse beacon was an amazing sight. Before the light was built, people on boats in storms felt great fear. But after the lighthouse was built, it was different. Imagine being on a boat, scared in a storm. Then you look up and see a 100-foot-tall (30 m) white tower with a bright white light. It must have looked like a guiding angel.

Challenges and Restoration

The lighthouse has seen some difficult times. There have been accidents near it. For example, the Three Brothers shipwreck can be seen from the lighthouse.

A group called the Manitou Island Memorial Society works to protect and restore the lighthouse. They hope to "relight the light" on South Manitou Island. The inside of the keeper's house was once covered in graffiti. Now, people are raising money to clean it up and fix the lighthouse buildings.

In the 1980s, high lake levels threatened the lighthouse. Its foundation was strengthened to protect it from being washed away. Today, the lighthouse tower is open for visitors. Guides offer tours and share its history.

In 2008, the National Park Service fixed the top part of the tower, called the lantern room. They also repaired the spiral staircase inside. A new copy of the original third-order Fresnel lens was put in place in late 2008. The light was turned back on in May 2009. It now shines from May to November each year.

See also

• Lighthouses in the United States