Point Betsie Light - Frankfort

Built in Frankfort in 1858 at the cost of $3,000 Point Betsie is the oldest operating lighthouse in Michigan. The original name was Pointe Aux Becs Scies, meaning "sawed beak point duck." The 37-foot tall brick tower is painted white to match the attached house.

Dr. Alonzo Slyfield, keeper at the South Manitou Light, was selected as the station's first keeper in 1858. Between he and his two sons, the Slyfield family kept the light at Point Betsie for a total of 26 years.

Tom Martin was the principal keeper at Point Betsie Lighthouse in the early 1900s. His wife was Lottie Martin. Howard A. Kimble was the second assistant keeper. He and his wife, Hattie, had two children born at the lighthouse: Wesley and Howard Jr. Several years later, Kimble requested to be transferred and on May 6, 1910 he was appointed as second assistant keeper to the Chicago Pierhead Range Light Station and the Chicago North and South Breakwater Lights. Apparently the Chicago station was not to his liking and he was reinstated at Point Betsie a few months later. In 1916, he reported to the Michigan City Indiana Light Station. It is unclear when he left the employment of the U.S. Lighthouse Service.

The Coast Guard automated Point Betsie in the spring of 1983, when it was the last staffed light station on the east shore of Lake Michigan. The crystal lamp originally burned coal oil, then kerosene. Now it is automated and electric. The original fourth-order Fresnel lens has been removed and is in storage.

The beauty of the shoreline makes Point Betsie the state's most photographed lighthouse and is reputed to be the most popular visitor site in Benzie County.

Directions: Follow M-22 for 5.5 miles north from Frankfort and turn left on Point Betsie Road.

Benzie County Chamber: 800-882-5801
Friends of the Point Betsie Lighthouse: 231-352-4915
West Michigan Tourist Association: 800-442-2084
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: 313-436-9150