Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Leelanau Peninsula | Photo by Todd and Brad Reed
Grand Traverse Lighthouse in the Leelanau State Park
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within the Leelanau State Park, about eight miles north of the town of Northport. It’s one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes, and has guided ships in the Manitou Passage of Lake Michigan for close to 150 years. This lighthouse is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation and you may tour the historic and educational museum, which depicts a lighthouse keeper’s dwelling from the early 1900s. You will find a variety of exhibits depicting a broad spectrum of maritime and local history.
Inside the lighthouse you can view various exhibits, including shipwrecks, foghorns, and other area lighthouses. Demonstrations on the foghorn take place throughout the year, and a small admission fee lets you climb the tower where you are treated to fantastic views of Lake Michigan.
In 1858, the present light was built, replacing a separate round tower which was built in 1852. Many refer to this as Northport Light, as it is near the town of Northport, or “Cat’s Head Point Light.” In 1852, the first light was built…a brick tower and separate keeper’s quarters in the state park campground. Just six years later in 1858, these structures were razed and the present light was constructed.
The Fourth Order Fresnel Lens is on display in the keeper’s quarters, and the light itself is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
For more information:
Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum
15500 N. Lighthouse Pt. Road
Northport, MI 49670
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Travel Northwest Michigan
More Lighthouses Around Lake Michigan
White River Light Station
Built in 1875, the White River Light Station is located in Whitehall, Michigan, and situated between Lake Michigan and White Lake.
Old Mackinac Point Historic Lighthouse
The majestic Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge are the backdrop for the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, Michigan.
Lighthouses of Northern Michigan
In Northern Michigan, you’ll find working lighthouses that assist boaters and historic lighthouses that are open to visitors.
Ludington North Breakwater Light
Ludington’s North Breakwater Lighthouse is Ludington’s focal point and The Weather Channel ranks it in the top 10 lighthouses in the U.S.
Manitowoc Breakwater Light
Built in 1918, the Manitowoc Breakwater Light has undergone multiple upgrades. The lighthouse is still operational today.
Pentwater Pierhead Lights
Visit the Pentwater Pierhead Lights at the Charles Mears State Park in the charming village of Pentwater, Michigan.