South Manitou Island

Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of a lighthouse on South Manitou Island on July 7, 1838. The land was purchased the following year and the island's first meager lighthouse was erected in 1840.

William N. Burton was appointed the first keeper on South Manitou Island, serving only three years. Apparently, Burton found more interest in collecting and selling cordwood to passing steamers and neglected his duties at the light. In 1842, Burton was warned by the District Superintendent that if he did not do a better job of keeping the light, he would be replaced. In the summer of 1843, Bael Ward was appointed the new keeper.

A second light was built in 1858 featuring a brick keepers dwelling with a wooden tower mounted on its roof. This light wasn't much of an improvement over the first structure and its light was not considered very strong.

In 1870, O.M. Poe was appointed chief engineer to build the current light on the island. The tower was completed in 1872 and stands 111 feet tall. Its third order Fresnel lens could be seen for 18 miles.

A large steam fog horn was added in 1875, replacing the fog bell that had been in service there for many years. On December 12, 1858, the Coast Guard abandoned the station and the keeper's quarters now operates as an historic museum. South Manitou's lighthouse is accessible by ferry from Leland. The light is just a short walk from the Lifesaving Station where you arrive on the island. A trip to the top of the tower provides an amazing view of the Manitou Passage. The Manitou Islands are part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Manitou Island Transit: 231-256-9061
Leelanau Peninsula Chamber: 231-256-9895
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: 231-326-5134
West Michigan Tourist Association: 800-442-2084
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: 313-436-9150