Traverse City is a maritime city, and its rich history of shipping and trade is punctuated by the many beautiful historic lighthouses that dot the region. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of non-profit preservation organizations and generations of volunteers, locals and visitors alike can see, touch, and experience these fascinating facilities in several shoreline communities.
The History of Lighthouses in Northern Michigan
Michigan was a major player in lumber, mining, and agricultural trade throughout the long 19th century. Great Lakes shipping was crucial to transporting high-quality lumber and copper ore from northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to Detroit, Chicago, and beyond.
The growth of lumber and copper mining triggered a lighthouse-building boom in the 1850s and into the early 20th century. Many of the area’s lighthouses were constructed during this period to guide ships through shoals, narrow straights, and storm-tossed waves.
The Great Lakes’ network of lighthouses was largely overseen by the Lighthouse Board, a federal government program created to create navigational beacons to protect shipping interests.
Read More: A Very Cherry History of Traverse City Agriculture
The Lighthouse Fades
By the mid-1900s, technological advances in radio, radar, and other maritime communications made lighthouses effectively obsolete. Lighthouses around the world and across the Great Lakes gradually closed, though many were saved by local non-profits dedicated to preserving the buildings and telling their stories.
Fortunately, many of the lighthouses near Traverse City were saved, often in nearly perfect condition.
The Best Lighthouses in Northern Michigan
Grand Traverse Lighthouse: Built to mark the shallow and often dangerous passage of Grand Traverse Bay, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is the marquee feature of the Leelanau State Park. Built in 1858, the structure has been immaculately restored and accurately depicts what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper in the 1920s and 1930s.
Point Betsie Lighthouse: Also constructed in 1858 for just $5,000, it is one of the most famous maritime buildings in the world. If you make it to Point Betsie, make sure you also see the North Pier Lighthouse in Frankfort, which marked the village’s early, highly trafficked harbor.
Mission Point Lighthouse: The iconic Traverse City lighthouse is actually 17 miles north of town at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula. Built in 1870, the lighthouse has been meticulously preserved and now hosts a range of seasonal events. The park also has beautiful hiking trails and tours, making it one of the most accessible lighthouses to visit.
Enjoy the History of the Fresh Coast
Michigan’s lighthouse history is rich with stories, absorbing stories, and global connections. The Traverse Regional History is dedicated to telling the area’s maritime history through a range of media, including oral histories and locally produced documentaries. Support our work by donating to our mission and help history come alive.
