Great Lakes Lighthouses

Have you considered a vacation that spotlights the 115lighthouse was the most difficult to get to as it involved
lighthouses located in the state of Michigan? There is awalking on a sandy beach for over a mile. The return
lot of interest in the history of these well-maintainedwas somewhat easier in that the walk was in sand
lighthouses. Many of them date from the 1800's. Thebut some vehicle traffic had compacted the sand. At
lighthouses were built as safety factors or guiding lightssome you can park your car very near the lighthouse.
for all of the shipping on the Great Lakes. RememberAt others you may have to walk a mile and a half to
that most of these lighthouses were built beforesee the lighthouse. There are others that are on islands
electricity and automated lighting. Each lighthouse had aand are accessible by boat or airplane. The ones I
keeper whose job it was to turn on the light duringhave photographed have been recently painted and
inclement weather and always at night. This included allare well maintained. In order to get the best
types of weather, even the nights with temperaturesphotograph it may be necessary to ask some
below zero with the strong winds howling across thequestions.
frozen ice. Today, the lighthouses that are still inSince the lighthouses are a very popular tourist
operation have been automated. The lighthouses areattraction, free brochures are available at tourist
on the shores of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lakeinformation centers. You may have to stop at several
Huron., and the St. Clair River. Others are on islandslocations to get brochures that cover all the
accessible by boat or airplane.lighthouses. Have a nice vacation.
I have included several of these lighthouses. Big Sable