Type:
Year Established:
1829
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Download:
Bois Blanc Island MI 2007 Chad Kaiser.jpeg (384.49 KB)
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2007
Photo Credit:
Chad Kaiser
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:
LOCATION
Location:
STRAITS OF MACKINAC/LAKE HURON
Latitude:
45° 48'38"
Longitude:
84° 25'14"
City / Town:
MACKINAC ISLAND
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
CHEBOYGAN
Country:
United States
OWNER & ACCESS
Open to Public:
No
STRUCTURE
Year Discontinued:
1924
Year Tower Established:
1867
Tower Construction Material:
YELLOW BRICK
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
53 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
38 FT
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1867
Keeper's Quarters Style:
ATTACHED TO TOWER
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
YELLOW BRICK
Other Structures:
BRICK OIL SHED, BRICK OUTHOUSE, CEMENT BOATHOUSE ON SOUTH SIDE OF ISLAND
OPTICS
Current Optic:
REMOVED
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1867
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017
Historical Information:
Bois Blanc Island Light was the second light station established on Lake Huron. The first lighthouse at the station was a 65 foot masonry tower and keeper’s quarters. Built dangerously close to the surf, the tower fell into the lake in 1837.
1839: A second lighthouse was built on the island in 1839 on higher ground. It was a 30 foot stone tower.
1857: A fourth order Fresnel lens was installed.
1867: The third and current lighthouse was built, after the second lighthouse was considered to be in a “severely dilapidated” condition. It is a two story dwelling with an attached tower in the front. The tower is 38 feet tall. The fourth order lens from the second light was installed in this tower.
1924: The Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse was deactivated and was replaced by a new automated acetylene light on a steel tower.
1955: The light was decommissioned and sold to a private owner in 1956. The 1867 lighthouse is a private residence but the steel tower is an active aid to navigation.