Huron Islands Lighthouse

West Huron Island, Michigan USA

Lake Superior

The Huron Island Light was built in 1868 and automated in 1972. It is a 1½ story structure built of granite upon a native bedrock foundation. The design is very similar to Granite Island Light near Marquette, Michigan. The tower is only 39' high, but the light's placement on top of the island results in a focal plane 197' above the waters of Lake Superior. This makes it the highest lighthouse on the lake, beating out Split Rock.

The building has been allowed to fall into severe disrepair. The tower ineeds stabilization, and the roof is reportedly caving in. The Huron Island Lighthouse Preservation Association (HILPA) is enthusiastically trying to save this lighthouse, which is on the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List.

Help may be on the way. In 2000, Huron Island Light Station received a $7,500 grant under the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program. Intentions are to restore the lighthouse to historically accurate condition.

Huron Island Light once had a 3 1/2 order Fresnel lens installed in 1868; it now has an electric oscillator light installed in 1961. The red brick fog signal building originally had a steam fog whistle, which was later replaced by a diaphone fog horn. Other structures at the site include an oil house, boathouse, and a Coast Guard quarters building added in later years.

This light is still an active aid to navigation. Management of the facilitiy officially rests with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as part of the Huron Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For additional information on Huron Island Light, visit the HILPA website.