Whitefish Point Light facts for kids
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| Vintage image of Whitefish Point Light station | |
 Whitefish Point Light
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Whitefish Bay |
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| Coordinates | 46°46′14″N 84°57′24″W / 46.77056°N 84.95667°W |
| Year first lit | 1849 |
| Automated | 1971 |
| Foundation | Pier |
| Construction | Steel |
| Tower shape | Lattice Tower |
| Height | 76 feet (23 m) |
| Focal height | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Original lens | 3rd order Fresnel Lens |
| Current lens | Light-emitting diode (LED) lantern |
| Intensity | RACON: O (– – –). Standby light of reduced intensity. |
| Range | 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) |
| ARLHS number | USA-887 |
| USCG number | 7-14530 |
The Whitefish Point Light is a famous lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is the oldest and most important working lighthouse on Lake Superior. Every ship entering or leaving Lake Superior must pass this light. It stands on Whitefish Point, a very dangerous part of Lake Superior. This area is known as the "Graveyard of the Great Lakes" because so many ships have wrecked there.
Contents
History of Whitefish Point Light
Building the First Lighthouse
Work on the first lighthouse at Whitefish Point began in 1847. It was finished and lit in 1849. This made it one of the very first lighthouses on Lake Superior. It is still the oldest active light on the lake today. The lighthouse helps guide ships changing course from the southern coast of Lake Superior towards the Soo Locks.
The first lighthouse used special lamps called Lewis lamps. Later, these were replaced with a better lens called a fourth order Fresnel lens. A Fresnel lens is a special type of lens that can focus light into a strong beam.
The Current Lighthouse Structure
The lighthouse you see today was built in 1861. It looks modern, but it's actually quite old! It has a strong iron frame designed to stand up to very high winds. A similar design was used for the Manitou Island Light on Lake Superior. This new tower was fitted with an even more powerful third order Fresnel lens.
In 1968, the old lens was replaced with a powerful new light called a DCB-224 aero beacon. This light was made by the Carlisle & Finch Company. It was so bright that it could be seen for about 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) (nautical miles) on a clear day!
Automation and Modern Lights
The Whitefish Point Light became automated in 1971. This means that lighthouse keepers no longer had to live there and operate the light. Machines took over the job.
In 2011, the powerful aero beacon was replaced again. This time, it was changed to a light-emitting diode (LED) lantern. LED lights use less energy and last a long time. The new LED light can be seen for about 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi). The old aero beacon lens is now kept at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum for people to see.
Whitefish Point: A Historic Site
The Whitefish Point Light is a very important landmark. It even has an official Michigan Historical Marker, put there in 1974. This marker tells us that the light is the oldest on Lake Superior. It also mentions that Whitefish Point was a stopping place for Native Americans, fur traders, and missionaries long ago.
The light, its fog signal, and radio beacon have been controlled automatically from Sault Ste. Marie since 1971.
Lighthouse Keepers
For many years, dedicated people called lighthouse keepers lived and worked at Whitefish Point. They made sure the light was always shining to guide ships safely. Here are some of the keepers who worked there:
- James B. Van Rensselaer (1848–1851)
- Amos Stiles (1851–1853)
- William C. Crampton (1853–1856)
- Belloni McGulpin (1856–1859)
- Charles Garland (1859–1861)
- Joseph Kemp (1861–1864)
- Thomas Stafford (1864–1868)
- Edward Ashman (1868–1874)
- Charles J. Linke (1874–1882)
- Edward Chambers (1882–1883)
- Charles Kimball (1883–1903)
- Robert Carlson (1903–1931)
The Graveyard of the Great Lakes
Whitefish Point is on a part of the Lake Superior coastline known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes.” Many ships have been lost in the waters of Whitefish Bay. Some of the shipwrecks found here include:
- Comet
- John B. Cowle
- Drake
- Samuel Mather
- Miztec
- Myron
- Niagara
- John M. Osborn
- Sagamore
- Superior City
- Vienna
These shipwreck sites are now protected. They are part of the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve. This helps keep them safe for future generations of divers to explore.
The area is also a place to remember the famous shipwreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. This ship sank in 1975. The very first ship known to sail on Lake Superior, the Invincible, also sank near here in 1816.
What Else Can You Do at Whitefish Point?
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
The lighthouse is home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. This museum has many items from shipwrecks found in the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve. One of the most famous items is the bell from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The bell was brought up from the wreck in 1995. The museum is open during the tourist season, usually from 10 am to 6 pm every day until October 31.
Whitefish Point for Birds and Nature
The Whitefish Point area is also very important for birds. It is part of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Many different kinds of birds stop here during their migrations. These include raptors (like eagles and hawks), waterbirds, and songbirds. Whitefish Point is even called an Important Bird Area.
The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is a special place for bird research and education. It is known as the best place in North America to see the Northern saw-whet owl. A wooden walkway helps visitors explore the sanctuary and watch for wildlife. You might see eagles, Northern goshawks, geese, falcons, hawks, and owls migrating through.
Exploring the Beach
The sandy beach at Whitefish Point is a great place to explore. After a storm, you might even find beautiful banded agates! It's also a wonderful spot for a walk along the shore to enjoy the amazing views of Lake Superior.
In recent years, a special bird called the piping plover has started nesting at Whitefish Point again. These small birds are very rare, and their successful nesting here is great news!
How to Get There
To visit Whitefish Point Lighthouse, take 
M-123 in Paradise. Then, go north on Whitefish Point Road for about 11 miles (18 km). The lighthouse is easy to find and well marked.
