Mackinac Point Light
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| Location: | Mackinaw City, Michigan |
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| Year first constructed: | 1890-92 |
| Deactivated: | 1957 |
Mackinaw Point marks the junction of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Founded in 1889, old Mackinac Point Light Station was in operation from 1890 until 1957.[1]
In the early 1800s, with large vessel traffic increasing from Lake Huron into the Straits, the first step in guarding the Straits was taken in 1829, through the construction of Bois Blanc Lighthouse to both guide mariners in making the westerly turn into the Straits, and to warn them of the shoals and shallows surrounding the island.
Three years later in 1832, Congress acted on the Fifth Auditor’s recommendation that a lightship be placed on Waugoshance Shoal as the first attempt to mark the western entrance to the Straits. In 1838, Lieutenant James T. Homans reported that the lightship was wholly inadequate. He recommended a better solution for Waugoshance and also that a light be built on the point to the west of Mackinaw Harbor. Nothing came of Homans recommendations. In 1854, the new Lighthouse Administration decided (against the recommendation of local residents) to put a light at McGulpin's Point, approximately 3 miles to the west of Mackinaw Point.
It wasn'tuntil 1889 that the Lighthouse Board realized that Mackinaw Point was a better location. Their first inclination was to put a fog signal there, but when asking Congress for funding, the requested funding for both a fog signal and a first class light. Congress chose to accept their recommendation, but only voted the funding for a fog-signal.
In March 1891, Congress finally authorized the funding for a lightstation and the Board acted quickly. Bidding was difficult, but in 1892, "on a foundation of ashlar limestone, the tower and attached keeper’s dwelling were both constructed of Cream City brick, trimmed with Indiana limestone. The double-walled tower was laid with an outside diameter of 13 feet 4 inches, and as each course was added, rose to a height of 45 feet, surmounted by a circular iron gallery and an 8 foot 8 inch diameter watch room, which was in-turn capped by a prefabricated octagonal iron lantern." [2]
The completion of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 eliminated the need for the light. Since the Mackinaw Bridge has lights on it at night, the bridge became a much better aid to navigation than the light.
The lighthouse is located within Michilimackinac State Park, just a few hundred feet east of the Mackinac Bridge and the Colonial Michilimackinac Visitors Center. At this time the light is a museum run by Mackinac Parks Commission. There is an admission fee to go into the building or up the tower, but the grounds around the light are free for public admission and in most seasons, there is adequate free parking.
