LIGHTHOUSES
of
LAKE MICHIGAN’S SHORES

Story and Photoes by Ken Rudine

If you have ever considered The Circle Lighthouse Trip around Lake Michigan there are reference books. Half a century ago I discovered much of trip fun is its planning. Unfortunately using lighthouse books is only helpful in deciding on your special interest sites to see, but include little useful information on their actual location.

Seeking simplification, logic states that lighthouses exist at the waters edge. We decided to closely follow the shore. Starting at St. Joseph, MI, travel north, eventually crossing the straits at Mackinaw City, then turn west on the Upper Peninsula to Gulliver and beyond, finally turning south at Escanaba, MI and ending the trip at Kenosha, WI. Although not a circle, this route avoids the high traffic surrounding Chicago.

Lake Michigan Lighthouse Big Red Holland, MI

Big Red - Holland, MI
This is one of the most photographed lighthouses known for its size and color.

Grand Haven - Grand Haven, MI

Like Michigan Lighthouse Point Betsie Frankfort, MI

Point Betsie - Frankfort, MI
On a high sandy bank created by the prevailing winds.

Lake Michigan Lighthouse GrandTraverse Light Cat's Head Point, MI

Grand Traverse Light -
Cat’s Head Point, MI
At the north end of the little finger of the “Michigan Mitten” (shape).

Lake Michigan Lighthouse, Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver MI

Seul Choix Lighthouse
South of Gulliver on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Haunted.

Ghost Keeper of Seul Choix Point ›

Manitowoc, WI
western ferry landing from Ludington, MI.

Kenosha, WI Southport lighthouse, Lake Michigan

Kenosha, WI Southport
Our tour ending at Southport light.

Lake Michigan Lighthouse White River South at Wabaningo, MI

White River South at Wabaningo
near the town of Whitehall, MI.

Lake Michigan Lighthouse Little Sable Point Silver Lake, MI

Little Sable Point
Use Shelby Road to coast, south of Silver Lake SP.

The selected photos are of about half the lighthouses we think are a must to see out of the 32 we found. Some lighthouses emphasis is on just the light while others feature the house. Rarely is there almost perfect balance as shown in some of these photos. Always try to include the water in your composition after all that is why the lighthouse is there in the first place.

This trip around Lake Michigan was about 1000 miles and represents about 25 total hours of driving which we spread over 11 days. Notice should be taken that you can drive to the vicinity of some lighthouses whereas others may be still a ½ mile walk away, in loose sand. Remember you are not as invisible as you might think. Speak to folks you meet along the way, give them your card and tell them what you are doing. Ask for their advice, you don't have to take it. That is how I found a Milwaukee Gothic water standpipe.

Milwaukee, WI Old North Point Water Tower

Milwaukee Gothic water standpipe ›

Lake Michigan Lighthouses

If you would like to retrace our path in order follow the cities (lighthouses in italics): St. Joseph MI St. Joseph, South Haven South Haven, Holland Big Red, Grand Haven Grand Haven, Muskegon Muskegon, Wabaningo White River South, Silver Lake SP(south of), Little Sable Point, Ludington Ludington, Manistee Manistee, Frankfort Point Betsie, Cat’s Head Point Grand Traverse Light, Mackinaw City Old Mackinac Point, Gulliver UP, MI Seul Choix Point, Manistique Manistique, Escanaba Sand Point, Menominee MI Menominee, Marinette WI Sherwood Point, Sturgeon Bay City Sturgeon Bay, Algoma Algoma, Kewaunee Kewaunee, Two Rivers Rawley Point, Manitowoc Manitowoc, Sheboygan Sheboygan North Point, Port Washington Port Washington, Milwaukee Milwaukee North Point, Milwaukee Breakwater Milwaukee Breakwater, Wind Point Village Wind Point, Racine Racine Harbor, Kenosha Kenosha Harbor, Kenosha Southport.

Copyright Ken Rudine
Published June 2, 2009

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