Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport

Marking the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse has guided sailors and their ships safely into the Manitou Passage, Straits of Mackinaw and Grand Traverse Bay for nearly 150 years.

Today, one can tour the restored lighthouse resembling a keeper's home of the 1920's and 30's. Exhibits on area lighthouses, foghorns, shipwrecks and local history are located in the Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building. The restored air diaphone foghorn is demonstrated throughout the year, and visitors can climb the tower for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. Locally called Northport Light, it was ordered built by President Millard Fillmore in July of 1850. A brick tower with separate keeper's quarters was constructed at a site east of the present Lighthouse in the state park campground. The house and tower were deemed inadequate and razed in 1858 when the present structure was built. Still visible is a portion of the lighthouse foundation and the original tower site was recently located in 1999.

A new site was chosen on Lighthouse Point making the light visible from all waterways. In 1858 the present structure with its roof top tower and cupola sheathed in copper was erected of Milwaukee yellow brick. In 1901 the house was converted to separate quarters for two families. A kitchen was added to one of the apartments in 1916. The present frame back porches were built in 1953 when the house and light were electrified.

A fourth-order Fresnel lens, replacing a smaller, 5th-order lens, was installed in the tower in 1870. At 47 feet above lake level, its magnified light approximated 15,000 candles, and was visible for 12 to 17 miles out on the lake. Whale oil and kerosene powered the light until electrification in 1953. In 1972 the U.S. Coast Guard replaced the tower light with an automated beacon mounted on a steel skeletal tower. Orange diamond-shaped markers on the steel tower are aids to daytime navigation and are visible six to seven miles out on the lake. Beginning in 1941 the lighthouse was occupied by U.S. Coast Guard personnel until it was closed in 1972.

Foghorn Demonstration Every Saturday during the months June, July and August, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse will present demonstrations of the restored air diaphone foghorn. During the Spring of 2000, the horn was mounted back in its original place in the Fog Signal building cupola. Program length: 15 minutes

EXHIBITS
Fog Signal Exhibit:
For over 100 years the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Fog Signal Building has stood firm against the natural elements of Mother Nature. Since the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation began preserving the lighthouse station many years earlier, efforts were made to restore this amazing building to its original use which housed the mechanical and internal workings of the fog signal. This summer, see and hear for the first time the air diaphone foghorn, similar to what was used at the lighthouse from 1933 to 1966, mounted in the cupola some 40 feet above ground. There will be weekly demonstrations and historical/educational talks as well. Don't miss this awesome re-creation of our heritage.

Lighthouse & Steamship China Exhibit:
Antiques collector Steve Voisin of Traverse City has been collecting lighthouse and steamship china for the past 5 years. In 1997, Steve published Dining on the Inland Seas by Daniel C. Krummes, a comprehensive directory of steamship china. This exhibit will highlight some of those rare and original pieces of china once used by the U.S.L.H. Service and Great Lakes freighters.

Did you know..?
Still visible is a portion of the original lighthouse and the original tower site was recently located in 1999.

Did you know..?
Hear the restored air diaphone foghorn every Saturday during the months of June, July and August.

Did you know..?
The pump organ located in the living room was a gift from keeper James McCormick to his wife on their wedding day in 1899.

Did you know..?
That weddings have been held on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse?

Lighthouse Museum Hours:
May, Labor Day Oct. (daily) 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
June Labor Day (daily) 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
November (weekends) 11:00 a.m. to 4 :00 p.m.

Located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, 9 miles north of Northport, inside the Leelanau State Park. State Park entry fee is required.

Lighthouse Admission:
$2.00 per adult $1.00 per child 5 & under free

School & bus tours are welcome - reservations are required.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum: 231-386-7195
Leelanau County Chamber: 800-922-2946
Leelanau State Park: 231-231-386-5422 (summer only)
West Michigan Tourist Association: 800-442-2084
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: 313-436-9150

Reprinted with permission from the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum website at www.grandtraverselighthouse.com.