Be awed by our Beacons of History
In the mid-1800s, people living along our Upper Peninsula coasts were disheartened. Treacherously shallow shoals and violent storms had sent too many ships and sailors to their watery graves. So the government began constructing lighthouses along Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior to guide ships through the dangerous waters and into safe harbors.
Today, Michigan is the only state in the nation that financially supports lighthouse preservation. Throughout the U.P., volunteers work hard to restore and preserve these beacons of hope. Some of our lighthouses are in active use. A dozen of the more than 40 lighthouses and stations listed on this site are open to the public. Want to be a lighthouse keeper? You can volunteer at some stations and others offer hotel or bed and breakfast stays. And you can see most of the non-public lighthouses from the road or by boat.
Come be awed by the majesty along our shores.