• Historical Information
• • Fort Mackinac History
  • Colonial Michilimackinac History
  • Mackinac Island Downtown Buildings History
  • Mackinac Island State Park History
  • Historic Mill Creek History
  • Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse History
  • • A Brief History of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
    • Chronology
    • Historical Facts & FAQ
    • Historic Images - 1
• Archaeology
• Museum Collections
• Museum Exhibits
• Researching Mackinac History
• Books & Museum Publications
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Early 20th-century postcard of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse History

For 65 years, four generations of lighthouse keepers and their families lived at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and helped to ensure the safety of vessels in the Straits of Mackinac. Established in 1889, the stations fog signal went into operation in 1890 and the lighthouse was completed in 1892.  The lights on the newly completed Mackinac Bridge made the lighthouse unnecessary, and it was decommissioned in 1957.  The Mackinac Island State Park Commission purchased the property in 1960 and incorporated it into surrounding Michilimackinac State Park.  It served as the gallery building for Michilimackinac Maritime Park form 1972 to 1990.  Restoration of the property to its circa 1910 appearance has been underway since 2000 and the lighthouse reopened to the public in 2004.

Use the internal links below to learn more about the history of this site.

A Brief History
Chronology
Historical Facts & FAQ
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Archaeology

100 Years Ago Today at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Historic Images

Virtual Tour
Kids' Page

Click on the image for ordering an informative vignette on the  history of Old Mackinac Point Light Station.