Lighthouses have been guiding navigators since the earliest times of man. In the third century before Christ the Great Lighthouse of the Pharaoh was built near Alexandria, Egypt.
In Michigan the Great Lakes that surround the lower part of the state and the Upper Peninsula are home to over 100 lighthouses. These buildings have guided the large tankers and barges for many generations. Each lighthouse has a story to tell.
Travelers looking to take a tour of Michigan’s historical light houses should plan the trip to take in as many of these beacons as is possible. Several of the lighthouses are currently under the care of the Federal government and their future is uncertain. Others are either privately owned and maintained or operated by historical trusts and non profits that seek to preserve the unique qualities of the lighthouses along Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Many of the lighthouses have been turned into historical museums that are open to the public. The White River Light Station in Whitehall is open for tours and has a museum attached that provides a history of the lighthouse that was originally built in 1875. One of the more famous lighthouses in Michigan is the White Shoal house. The candy striped paint and design of this house sets it apart from others in the state