The Tallest Lighthouse in Michigan Is a Towering Masterpiece

Jun 05, 2023

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Michigan has more than 100 lighthouses, each with its history and charm. But only one can claim the title of the tallest in the state. Today, we’ll reveal the answer and tell you all about this towering masterpiece.

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The tallest lighthouse in Michigan is the Rock of Ages Lighthouse.

If you’re looking for a towering challenge, you might want to visit the tallest lighthouse in Michigan. It's not on the mainland but on a remote reef near Isle Royale National Park. It's the Rock of Ages Lighthouse and stands 130 feet tall on a concrete pier. Built in 1908, this lighthouse was one of the most powerful on the Great Lakes and has a viewing range of 29 miles. It was also one of the most difficult posts for lighthouse keepers since they had to endure harsh weather and isolation. The cold, wind, and weather in northern Michigan are no joke!

The lighthouse is located five miles off the northwest end of Isle Royale and is seen from ferry services departing from Grand Portage, Minnesota. It's a remarkable sight and worth visiting for anyone that loves lighthouses and their history.

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Michigan may not be a coastal state, but it features more than 3,000 miles of shoreline along the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways. These lakes are vital for trade, tourism, and recreation, but they also pose many hazards for navigation.

Storms, fog, reefs, shoals, and ice can make sailing on the lakes dangerous and unpredictable. As a result, lighthouses feature along the Michigan coasts since 1825, guiding people to safety and warning them of potential dangers. Lighthouses are functional, historical, and cultural landmarks that reflect the state's maritime heritage. Many of them have stories of shipwrecks, heroism, innovation, and preservation. Some are still active today, while others were decommissioned or converted into museums, parks, or private residences.

The Rock of Ages Lighthouse is one of Lake Superior's most impressive and isolated lighthouses, the largest of all the Great Lakes. It was built in 1908 on a rocky reef near the western end of Isle Royale, where it marks a dangerous spot for ships sailing along the north shore of the lake. Before the lighthouse's construction, the reef claimed two large vessels, the Cumberland in 1877 and the Henry Chisholm in 1898.

Captain Charles Keller of the U.S. Corps of Engineers designed the lighthouse, and Walter F. Beyer of Detroit built it. The lighthouse stands 130 feet tall and has a steel frame with brick walls and a concrete exterior. The lantern room houses the light and features a second-order Fresnel lens. Eventually, the lighthouse switched to a solar-powered light in 1978. The last keeper left in 1972 after the lighthouse automation.

Today, the National Park Service owns the lighthouse, and the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society handles the lighthouse maintenance. This non-profit organization works to restore and preserve the historic landmark.

©iStock.com/RichardSeeley

The Great Lakes are home to some of the most incredible wildlife in the United States. Lake Superior is the most northern of the lakes and has a few special animals since it shares a border with Canada. There are a few obvious animals that live in the surrounding region, including:

Aside from mammals and birds, the lakes themselves are home to a huge variety of freshwater fish. Each lake has its own species of fish, but there is quite a bit of overlap between them. Lake Superior, the lake that the Rock of Ages Lighthouse sits on, is home to:

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Here are some of the most important lighthouses on the Great Lakes, with their size, height, and location:

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