Old Presque Isle Michigan
Harbour Lights #332

On the shore of Lake Huron in Michigan’s Thunder Bay region sits the mile-long peninsula of Presque Isle. As merchant vessels traversed the rough Great Lakes waters, more than one captain would seek refuge in the safety of the coves -- known as one of the safest refuge harbors on Lake Huron.

Presque Isle, which translated from the French means “almost an island,” was often portaged by French and Native Americans who wanted to avoid several miles of open lake. From foot traffic to maritime traffic, it became evident that a lighthouse was needed, and in 1838, Congress appropriated $5,000 for its construction. The graceful 30-foot whitewashed rubblestone tower had an 18-foot circumference at its base and 4-foot thick walls. A hand-cut stone stairway spiraled around the interior wall of the tower to the light room. A small, detached single story dwelling was built 30 feet from the tower.

The sentinel was lit on September 23, 1840. Several years later, existing Lewis Lamps were being replaced with the superior French Fresnel lens, and in 1857, the lighthouse was outfitted with a fixed white fourth order lens.

More changes were to come. An inspection of the keeper’s dwelling revealed considerable upgrading was needed, and in 1866, he requested $7000 to begin a complete renovation. Congress approved the appropriation in early 1867 and materials had been delivered when the Lighthouse Board announced a completely new decision: to build a new and larger lighthouse a mile north, along with a pair of range lights. It was completed in 1870 and the older lighthouse extinguished.

The lens was removed and shipped to another lighthouse and the tower and dwelling boarded up and abandoned. It was sold at public auction in 1897 to Edward O. Avery of Alpena. Soon after the turn of the century, it was sold again to the owner of the nearby Grand Lake Hotel, for use as a picnic area for guests. Over the next 50 years, the cottage was restored and the light tower upgraded to allow visitors.

Today, the property is a museum operated by the Township Historical Society and is part of a state park. Old Presque Isle Lighthouse is one of the oldest standing sentinels on the Great lakes, and it has another distinction as well. Mariners are sure that its long extinguished beacon can be seen from time to time – a tale that can be neither disputed nor authenticated.