Great Lakes Lighthouses

In and Around The Straits of Mackinac

There are some magnificent Great Lakes Lighthouses near and around the
Straits of Mackinac.
There are several organizations that care deeply about the historic
significance of lighthouses in the Straits of Mackinac. One such group
is the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA).
It is one of the oldest and most active lighthouse preservation groups
in the U.S. Founded by retired lighthouse keepers and their families it
is a growing and much needed not for profit.

After incorporating in 1983 the group realized that the first agenda was to find a lighthouse to restore and then to teach others in “the preservation of lighthouses, the stories of those who kept them, and developing a new generation of preservationists” to make their mission statement a reality.

St. Helena Island Lighthouse

The GLLKA found the perfect lighthouse to restore and use as an
educational tool for young and old volunteers when they discovered the
abandoned 1873 St. Helena Island lighthouse.

It is ten miles west of Mackinac Island and lies two
miles offshore from Gros Cap in Lake Michigan. The lighthouse was listed
on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Over many years of
hardwork through volunteers the entire complex has been beautifully
restored.

To read more about
the St. Helena Lighthouse click here.

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Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

It took quite a few years to choose Old Mackinac Point
to be the much needed lighthouse for the Straits of Mackinac. After
much debate and obstacles Congress appropriated $20,000 in 1890 to build
the light station at the Point.

The property was acquired by
Mackinac State Historic Parks
in 1960 and the lighthouse has been restored to its beautiful condition and has become a popular museum in Mackinaw City.

To learn more about
the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City click here.

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Round Island Lighthouse

Don’t miss the Round Island Lighthouse Annual Tour on…

July 9, 2011 to read more about this once a year event click here.

One lighthouse that recently has been given new life and new hope
is the Round Island Lighthouse just off of Mackinac Island busy port
and Round Island. On August 21, 2010 the Round Island Preservation
Society and the Hiawatha National Forest established an active
preservation society to care and preserve the much beloved landmark.

To read more about the Round Island Lighthouse click here.

To learn more about this lighthouse and many other Great Lakes
Lighthouses visit the GLLKA (Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association)
Gift Shop and office in Mackinaw City at 707 N. Huron Avenue. It’s just
across the street from the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse which is open
to the public for tours.

Do You Have A Favorite?

Click here to share your favorite Great Lakes Lighthouse or to read what others have shared!

Insider Tip: If you are interested in staying overnight at one of the
Great Lakes Lighthouses click here.
It sounds like great fun and quite an adventure! Kathy and her husband
are planning to stay at Whitefish Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior
sometime soon so stay tuned for their review!

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