The Tallest Lighthouse in Michigan Is a Towering Masterpiece

Michigan has more than 100 lighthouses, each with its history and charm. But only one can claim the title of the tallest in the state. Today, we’ll reveal the answer and tell you all about this towering masterpiece.

The Tallest Lighthouse in Michigan

The tallest lighthouse in Michigan is the Rock of Ages Lighthouse.

If you’re looking for a towering challenge, you might want to visit the tallest lighthouse in Michigan. It’s not on the mainland but on a remote reef near Isle Royale National Park. It’s the Rock of Ages Lighthouse and stands 130 feet tall on a concrete pier.

Built-in 1908, this lighthouse was one of the most powerful on the Great Lakes and has a viewing range of 29 miles. It was also one of the most difficult posts for lighthouse keepers since they had to endure harsh weather and isolation. The cold, wind, and weather in northern Michigan are no joke!

The lighthouse is located five miles off the northwest end of Isle Royale and is seen from ferry services departing from Grand Portage, Minnesota. It’s a remarkable sight and worth visiting for anyone that loves lighthouses and their history.

Why Are There Lighthouses in Michigan?

Michigan may not be a coastal state, but it features more than 3,000 miles of shoreline along the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways. These lakes are vital for trade, tourism, and recreation, but they also pose many hazards for navigation.

Storms, fog, reefs, shoals, and ice can make sailing on the lakes dangerous and unpredictable. As a result, lighthouses feature along the Michigan coasts since 1825, guiding people to safety and warning them of potential dangers.

Lighthouses are functional, historical, and cultural landmarks that reflect the state’s maritime heritage. Many of them have stories of shipwrecks, heroism, innovation, and preservation. Some are still active today, while others were decommissioned or converted into museums, parks, or private residences.

The History of the Rock of Ages Lighthouse

The Rock of Ages Lighthouse is one of Lake Superior’s most impressive and isolated lighthouses, the largest of all the Great Lakes. It was built in 1908 on a rocky reef near the western end of Isle Royale, where it marks a dangerous spot for ships sailing along the north shore of the lake. Before the lighthouse’s construction, the reef claimed two large vessels, the Cumberland in 1877 and the Henry Chisholm in 1898.

Captain Charles Keller of the U.S. Corps of Engineers designed the lighthouse, and Walter F. Beyer of Detroit built it. The lighthouse stands 130 feet tall and has a steel frame with brick walls and a concrete exterior. The lantern room houses the light and features a second-order Fresnel lens. Eventually, the lighthouse switched to a solar-powered light in 1978. The last keeper left in 1972 after the lighthouse automation.

Today, the National Park Service owns the lighthouse, and the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society handles the lighthouse maintenance. This non-profit organization works to restore and preserve the historic landmark.

Wildlife Surrounding the Rock of Ages Lighthouse

The Great Lakes are home to some of the most incredible wildlife in the United States. Lake Superior is the most northern of the lakes and has a few special animals since it shares a border with Canada. There are a few obvious animals that live in the surrounding region, including:

• black bears
• moose
• beavers
• Canada lynx (in the more northern regions)
• white-tailed deer
• otters
• bald eagles, loons, ducks, and a whole lot more waterfowl

Aside from mammals and birds, the lakes themselves are home to a huge variety of freshwater fish. Each lake has its own species of fish, but there is quite a bit of overlap between them. Lake Superior, the lake that the Rock of Ages Lighthouse sits on, is home to:

• lake sturgeon
• lake whitefish
• lake trout
• walleye
• muskellunge
• northern pike
• burbot (in the deep parts of the lake)
• various species of bass
• and a whole lot more!

Important Lighthouses on the Great Lakes

Here are some of the most important lighthouses on the Great Lakes, with their size, height, and location:

• Fort Gratiot Light: This is the oldest lighthouse on Lake Huron and the second oldest on the Great Lakes. Its history begins in 1825. Fort Gratiot sits at the entrance to the St. Clair River near Port Huron, Michigan. It stands 86 feet tall and has a white conical tower with a black lantern and a red roof.
• Spectacle Reef Light: This is one of the most impressive engineering feats on the Great Lakes. It dates back to 1874 on a remote reef in northern Lake Huron, about 18 miles east of Cheboygan, Michigan. It stands 97 feet tall and has a white cylindrical tower with a black lantern and a red roof.
• Whitefish Point Light: This is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior and one of the most important for navigation. Its construction was in 1849 at the entrance to Whitefish Bay near Paradise, Michigan. It stands 80 feet tall and has a white conical tower with a black lantern and a red roof. In addition, it hosts the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and displays pieces from shipwrecks in the area.
• Big Sable Point Lighthouse: This is one of the most scenic lighthouses on Lake Michigan and one of the tallest on the Great Lakes. Construction finished in 1867 near Ludington, Michigan. It stands 112 feet tall and has a black and white striped tower with a black lantern and a red roof.
• Fort Niagara Light: One of the oldest lighthouses on Lake Ontario is also one of the oldest on the Great Lakes. Construction occurred in 1782 at the mouth of the Niagara River near Youngstown, New York. It stands 61 feet tall and has a white octagonal tower with a black lantern and a red roof. It is part of the Fort Niagara State Historic Site, which preserves a colonial-era fort.
• Split Rock Lighthouse: This is one of the most iconic lighthouses on Lake Superior and one of the most photographed on the Great Lakes. It was built in 1910 on a high cliff near Two Harbors, Minnesota. It stands 54 feet tall and has a red brick tower with a black lantern and a red roof. It is part of the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
• Marblehead Lighthouse: Built in 1821, this is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Erie and one of the oldest on the Great Lakes. It’s located on the southern shore of Lake Erie near Marblehead, Ohio. It stands 65 feet tall and has a white conical tower with a black lantern and a red roof. It is part of the Marblehead Lighthouse State Park.

Where is the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Located on a Map?

The Rock of Ages Light, situated on a rocky outcropping about 2.25 miles west of Washington Island and 3.5 miles west of Isle Royale in Eagle Harbor Township, Keweenaw County, Michigan, serves as an operational navigational aid under the U.S. Coast Guard.

Here is the Rock of Ages Lighthouse on a map:

The photo featured at the top of this post is © John Brueske/Shutterstock.com