Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

By Mike Wintermantel, November 26, 2004

1. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This light is opposite the turning point for ships making the difficult passage through the Straits of Mackinac, one of the busiest crossroads of the Great Lakes. McGulpin's Point light, two miles to the west, had been established in 1856, but it was not visible from all directions. In 1889 Congress appropriated funds for the construction of a steam-powered fog signal here, which went into operation on November 5, 1890. Construction of the light tower and attached lightkeeper's dwelling began, and the light was first displayed on October 25, 1892. Heavy iron and brass castings were used throughout the structure, and the light was visible to ships sixteen miles away. In operation until 1958, the lighthouse is now a maritime museum.

Erected 1972 by Michigan Historical Commission, Mackinac Island State Park Commission. (Marker Number S377.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1831.

Location.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Marker (<i>view looking northeast across Alexander Henry Park</i>) image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2011

2. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Marker (view looking northeast across Alexander Henry Park)

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45° 47.252′ N, 84° 43.779′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Huron Avenue and North Nicolet Street. Located on grounds of Alexander Henry Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 526 North Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lighthouses of the Mackinac Straits (within shouting distance of this marker); Fog Signal Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Shipwrecks in the Straits (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Crossroads of the Great Lakes (about 400 feet away); Fort Michilimackinac / Michilimackinac State Park (about 500 feet away); Building Mighty Mac (about 500 feet away); Graveyard of the Deep (about 500 feet away); Alexander Henry 1739 - 1834 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Also see . . . Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Mackinac State Historic Parks (Submitted on February 3, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

By Mike Wintermantel, November 26, 2004

3. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse (<i>northeast corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2011

4. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse (northeast corner view)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 697 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on April 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on April 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.