Some say that the Midwest is landlocked and void of the picturesque beaches that make the coasts beautiful. Those who say that obviously have never been to Michigan. Not only do we have some of the best fresh-water beaches in the country, but we also are home to some of the best shoreline structures around. Specifically, Michigan has the most lighthouses of any state in the country, thanks to the state’s early days as a major water passage. We’ve come across some of the most beautiful. Check them out.
- Big Sable Lighthouse, Ludington
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr Situated along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan near Ludington, construction on this site started in 1867, making it one of the oldest area lighthouses.
- Little Sable Point Lighthouse
Brian Wolfe/Flickr Little Sable Point Lighthouse by John Dykstra This historic site was first constructed in 1871 just south of of present-day Silver Lake State Park.
- Grand Haven State Park Lighthouse
Rachel Kramer/Flickr Messrs. Rogers and Burnett of Milwaukee were hired to build this lighthouse in 1838 at the mouth of the Grand River. Shore erosion cause the property to give way in 1848 and construction for a replacement started in 1854.
- Manistee Lighthouse
jimflix!/Flickr The first light here was illuminated on the south pier in 1870. A year later on Oct. 8, 1871, it burnt in the Great fire, coincidentally on the same day as the great fires in Chicago, Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin, and fires in Port Huron and Holland, both in Michigan.
- Manistique Lighthouse
Larry McGahey/Flickr At the turn of the 20th century, Manistique was a boom town, with timber and pig iron shipping driving it. By 1910, work started to build breakwaters to protect the harbor. By 1914, permanent lights on the west breakwater were completed.
- Muskegon Lighthouse
gbozik photography/Flickr Located at the Lake Muskegon Channel, this 63-foot tall lighthouse was built in 1931.
- Point Betsie Lighthouse
David Marvin/Flickr Located on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan at the southern entrance of the Manitou Passage, this lighthouse was constructed beginning in 1954 and took four years to complete.
- Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse
Rodney Campbell/Flickr This Lake Huron lighthouse was constructed in the mid-19th century to help guide vessels along the Saginaw River.
- Round Island Lighthouse
Mark/Flickr Situated on the Straights of Mackinac that connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, this lighthouse was built in 1895 as a means to ease the hazards of traveling along the waterway.
- St. Joseph Lighthouse
Brian Hawkins/Flickr First constructed in 1832, this was the second lighthouse to come to Lake Michigan.
- Tawas Point Lighthouse
fatcatimages LLC/Flickr Construction commenced on this lighthouse located at Tawas Point State Park on Lake Huron in 1853.
Such amazing structures, with so much history and purpose. Tell us, do you have a favorite lighthouse that you simply have to visit every year? Tell us about it!
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr
Situated along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan near Ludington, construction on this site started in 1867, making it one of the oldest area lighthouses.
Brian Wolfe/Flickr
Little Sable Point Lighthouse by John Dykstra This historic site was first constructed in 1871 just south of of present-day Silver Lake State Park.
Rachel Kramer/Flickr
Messrs. Rogers and Burnett of Milwaukee were hired to build this lighthouse in 1838 at the mouth of the Grand River. Shore erosion cause the property to give way in 1848 and construction for a replacement started in 1854.
jimflix!/Flickr
The first light here was illuminated on the south pier in 1870. A year later on Oct. 8, 1871, it burnt in the Great fire, coincidentally on the same day as the great fires in Chicago, Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin, and fires in Port Huron and Holland, both in Michigan.
Larry McGahey/Flickr
At the turn of the 20th century, Manistique was a boom town, with timber and pig iron shipping driving it. By 1910, work started to build breakwaters to protect the harbor. By 1914, permanent lights on the west breakwater were completed.
gbozik photography/Flickr
Located at the Lake Muskegon Channel, this 63-foot tall lighthouse was built in 1931.
David Marvin/Flickr
Located on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan at the southern entrance of the Manitou Passage, this lighthouse was constructed beginning in 1954 and took four years to complete.
Rodney Campbell/Flickr
This Lake Huron lighthouse was constructed in the mid-19th century to help guide vessels along the Saginaw River.
Mark/Flickr
Situated on the Straights of Mackinac that connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, this lighthouse was built in 1895 as a means to ease the hazards of traveling along the waterway.
Brian Hawkins/Flickr
First constructed in 1832, this was the second lighthouse to come to Lake Michigan.
fatcatimages LLC/Flickr
Construction commenced on this lighthouse located at Tawas Point State Park on Lake Huron in 1853.
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