Old Mission Point Light - Old Mission Peninsula

The Old Mission Lighthouse was completed in September 1870 at a cost of $6,000. It sits exactly on the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Congress appropriated funds to build this lighthouse in 1858, but various delays -- particularly the onset of the Civil War, postponed construction of the station for 11 years.

The 30-foot white, square wooden tower sits on the roof of the 1.5 story clapboard sided keeper's dwelling and resembles an old one-room schoolhouse. It is an exact duplicate of the Mama Juda Lighthouse, constructed in the Detroit River in 1866.

Jerome M. Pratt, a local Indian agent and one of Old Mission's earliest settlers, was the first keeper of this light. He served from 1870 to 1877. He was followed by Jonathan McHarry (1877-1881) and Jonathan Lane (1881-1906). In many lighthouses, keepers' wives were often the unofficial assistant keepers. In December 1906, Lane suddenly passed away and as was often the practice at smaller light stations, Sarah was appointed keeper. Since she had served as assistant keeper for some time, she was quite capable of taking over her husband's duties. Sarah served until 1908 when James Davenport was appointed. He served until 1919. Emil Johnson was the last keeper to tend the Old Mission Lighthouse. In June 1933, he climbed the steps to the lantern room for the final time, marking the end of an era.

The kerosene lamp was replaced by electric lights on a nearby tower in 1933 and then these lights were later relocated to an offshore buoy and the lighthouse was deactivated.

The lighthouse became the property of the State of Michigan in the 1940s and then was transferred to Peninsula Township in 1948. It is managed today as a park. The tower opened to the public for the first time in the summer of 2008. Up until then, the lighthouse had served as the residence for the park's caretaker. Also on site are a pump house, storage shed, garage and log home. The property is listed with the National Register of Historic Places.

The lighthouse will receive visitors all summer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. After Labor Day, the facility will be open on weekends until the end of color tour season. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children.

Directions: Follow M-37 north along Old Mission Peninsula for about 7 miles to the Peninsula Township Park.

Traverse City CVB: 800-940-1120
West Michigan Tourist Association: 800-442-2084
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: 313-436-9150