5 Lighthouses to Explore in Emmet County
Checkout places to visit in Emmet County
Emmet CountyEmmet County, Michigan is a county located in the northwestern section of the Lower Peninsula, directly east of Lake Michigan. It was founded in 1840 and named after Irish-American lawyer and politician Thomas Emmet. It has a population of nearly 33,000 people, spread across its 579 square miles of varying landscapes. Many of its residents are employed by locally owned farms and wineries, while others work in the tourism or hospitality industries due to its stunningly beautiful beaches along the
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Lighthouses to Explore in Emmet County
Grays Reef LightGrays Reef Light, located near the northernmost part of Lake Michigan, is an iconic beacon. Built in 1932, it stands 92 feet tall with a cylindrical tower measuring just over 16 feet in diameter. The light from the beacon can be seen from as far away as 8 nautical miles and exhibits a signature flashing pattern of red and white. It has been used over the years not only to guide sailors but to provide a sense of security and hope for those who call the Great Lakes home.
Ile Aux Galets LightIle Aux Galets Light is a historic lighthouse built in 1927, the lighthouse boasts a 65-foot rock tower with an upper gallery made of steel and whitewashed bricks. It is the only active light house along Lake Michigan's northern shore. The light keeper's residence is also located on-site and features Whitefish Point Shingle Style architecture. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 and today stands as a beacon for lake-goers around the area.
Little Traverse LighthouseThe Little Traverse Lighthouse is a remarkable beacon of Michigan's maritime history. Located in Emmet County on the shores of Lake Michigan, it was originally built in 1867 and has been a treasured landmark ever since. This unique structure still stands tall as a testament to traditional lighthouse-keeping craftsmanship and skill. Standing at 65 feet tall, its light can be seen some 23 miles away, making it an essential navigational tool for local ships and boats.
Waugoshance LighthouseWaugoshance Lighthouse is a 102-foot wooden tower built in 1851 and one of the first lighthouses on Lake Michigan. Located at the most dangerous location on the lake, Waugoshance stands as an iconic reminder of early efforts to ensure safe navigation between Lake Michigan ports. Although it sustained heavy damage from ice during numerous winters, Waugoshance continued to be staffed until 1924 when an automated light was established.
White Shoal LighthouseThis can truly be called a beacon of beauty in the Great Lakes. Standing tall against the horizon at 80-feet and outlined with red brick, it's a structure that often takes your breath away. Constructed in 1910 to ensure safety of ships passing through Lake Michigan, White Shoal features both a light tower plus an adjoining keeper's house. The lighthouse lens, fueled by oil and electricity intermittently throughout history, guided hundreds of vessels safely along its journey each year