Type:
Year Established:
1852
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Download:
Grand Traverse MI TAT 2008.jpeg (254.19 KB)
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2008
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:
LOCATION
Location:
GRAND TRAVERSE PT/LEELANAU PENINSULA/LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
45° 12'39"
Longitude:
85° 33'02"
City / Town:
NORTHPORT
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
LEELANAU
Country:
United States
OWNER & ACCESS
Open to Public:
Yes
STRUCTURE
Year Discontinued:
1972
Year Tower Established:
1858
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK/WOOD/IRON
Tower Foundation:
DRESSED STONE/TIMBER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
40 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
34 FT
Tower Shape:
NINE-SIDED ON ROOF OF DWELLING
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1899
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
BRICK
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1858
Keeper's Quarters Style:
MIDWEST VICTORIAN
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
BRICK
Other Structures:
BRICK AND METAL OIL HOUSE
OPTICS
Current Optic:
REMOVED
Original Optic Type:
FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1858
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
Yes
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017
Historical Information:
1852: The original lighthouse at Grand Traverse Point was built at a cost of $4000. The tower was constructed from rubble stone and a keeper’s dwelling was nearby.
1858: The tower was in danger of falling into the water. It and the keeper’s quarters were demolished to make way for a more suitable light station. The new light station was built on higher ground. A square tower was mounted on the roof of the keeper’s dwelling. The nine sided lantern room was fixed with a fifth order Fresnel lens.
1899: A fog signal building was added to the station. With the addition of the fog signal a keeper’s assistant was needed at the station. The dwelling was enlarged to a duplex.
1972: The light station was replaced by an automated light on a skeletal tower.
1985: The Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation began restoring the lighthouse.
1987: It was opened to the public as a museum and the grounds are on Leelanau State Park. The light is sometimes referred to as “Cat’s Head Point light” or the “Northpoint light”.