Presque Isle in Presque Isle County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

Registered Michigan Historic Site

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, November 28, 2004

1. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. Presque Isle Harbor is one of Lake Huron's safest harbors of refuge. Its name comes from this peninsula which, translating from the French, is "almost and island." Indians and Frenchmen portaged across the peninsula to avoid several miles of open lake. When vessels came to the harbor in increasing numbers, Congress in 1838 appropriated $5,000 for a lighthouse. Jeremiah Moors of Detroit in 1840 completed this lighthouse, which today is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Pat Garrity, the last keeper of this lighthouse, was appointed by President Lincoln. Four of Garrity's children, raised in the keepers house, became lighthouse keepers. In 1870, a new lighthouse to the north was completed along with two range lights for the entrance to the harbor.

Erected 1965 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number L39.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, the Lighthouses, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 45° 20.659′ N, 83° 28.996′ W. Marker is in Presque Isle, Michigan, in

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Presque Isle County. Marker is on East Grand Lake Road, 0.9 miles north of County Road 638, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5295 East Grand Lake Road, Presque Isle MI 49777, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Presque Isle Lighthouses (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Presque Isle History (about 800 feet away); Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (about 800 feet away); 1896 Lansing City Hall Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); L. M. Mason (approx. 0.6 miles away); Get Into Your Sanctuary (approx. 0.6 miles away); Albany (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fame (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Presque Isle.

Regarding Old Presque Isle Lighthouse. Lighthouse is located 3/10 mile east of the marker at the end of a gravel service road. National Register of Historic Places #73000957, and Michigan State Historic Site.

Also see . . .
1. Seeing the Light - Old Presque Isle Light. A detailed history of original light house, built in 1840 which includes vintage photos. (Submitted on February 3, 2011.)

2. Seeing the Light - New Presque Isle Light. Built in 1870, this "new" light replaced the original 1840 lighthouse. (Submitted on February 3, 2011.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

2. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse Marker

(East Grand Lake Road on left)

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, November 28, 2004

3. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

4. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse tower

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse NRHP Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

5. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse NRHP Plaque

(mounted on front of keepers' house) This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse - Keeper's House and Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

6. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse - Keeper's House and Tower

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

7. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on February 8, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on September 3, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 3, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on September 29, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.