Peninsula Point Light, Rapid River

Peninsula Point Lighthouse was built in 1866 and is located on the tip of the Stonington Peninsula in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The strip of land separates Big Bay De Noc from Little Bay De Noc in Lake Michigan.

Charles Beggs was appointed the station's first keeper and he served dutifully until his death at the station in 1887. He was replaced by Henry Corgan who served until 1889 when Peter Knutsen took over the responsibilities.

At that time, Captain James D. Armstrong was appointed keeper of the light. When Armstrong, his wife and small baby arrived at 1889, the lighthouse was in a state of disrepair. Even that was not enough to discourage them, as the family stayed on for 47 years until the light was decommissioned in 1936. At that time, Armstrong and his wife had raised six children in the lighthouse. It was also during Armstrong's tenure, in 1922, that the light was automated through the installation of an acetylene lamp equipped with a sun valve.

When the Minneapolis Shoal Light was built in 1934, the Peninsula Point Light was no longer needed and was extinguished in 1936. In 1937, the U.S. Forest Service was granted custodianship, repaired the buildings and a public picnic area was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

In 1949, the Stonington Grange assumed responsibility for the maintenance of the building and was even awarded a State prize for their building restoration work. However, just 10 years later the structure was damaged by fire. The keeper's quarters were totally destroyed and the north side of the tower had to be repaired. The 40-foot tower is all that remains of the original structure. It is open to the public and is part of the Hiawatha National Forest.

Escanaba-Gladstone (Bays de noc) CVB: 888-335-8264
Upper Peninsula Tourism & Recreation Association: 800-562-7134
West Michigan Tourist Association: 800-442-2084
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: 313-436-9150