Chronology

1889 United States Congress establishes a light station at Old Mackinac Point. Site surveyed.
1890 Title to property secured and construction of fog signal building begins. Fog signal operates for the first time on
November 5.
1891 Congress appropriates funds for lighthouse. George Marshall arrives as first keeper.

02_OMPL_2_ca_1892_Fence_Under_Construction500pixHPcrop.jpg
1890 original fog signal building and 1892 lighthouse with picket fence under construction.

1892 Construction begins in May and is completed in October. Lighted for the first time on October 25.
1907 New fog signal building completed.
1913 Lens lamp converted from kerosene to incandescent oil vapor.
1919 George Marshall retires. His son James is appointed keeper.
1928 Electricity and municipal water (and bathrooms) added to dwelling.
1929 Oil lamp of lens replaced with electric light. Central furnace added to dwelling. Privy and oil house razed and barn moved from original location to southeast corner of property.
1937- 1938 Radio beacon established at station.

Keeper Henrik Olsen in the radio room in front of one of the two radio beacon clocks, 1943.

1940 James Marshall retires. Henrik Olsen appointed keeper.
1951 Henrik Olsen retires. John Campbell appointed keeper.
1957 Light station closed following construction of the Mackinac Bridge.
1960 Mackinac Island State Park Commission acquires property.
1972 Michilimackinac Maritime Park opens with lighthouse as main exhibit gallery.
1989 Michilimackinac Maritime Park closes.
1999 Restoration of lighthouse begins.
2000 Fog signal building opened to the public as a restoration information center.