Type:
Year Established:
1900
Existing:
Yes
Download:
Lansing Shoal MI 2009 Chad Kaiser.jpeg (230.64 KB)
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Chad Kaiser
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:
LOCATION
Location:
WESTERN SHORE LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
45° 54.2'
Longitude:
85° 33.7'
City / Town:
NAUBINWAY
U.S. State:
Michigan
Location County:
MACKINAC
Country:
United States
OWNER & ACCESS
Open to Public:
No
STRUCTURE
Year Tower Established:
1928
Tower Construction Material:
REINFORCED CONCRETE/STEEL
Tower Foundation:
CRIB (CONCRETE AND STEEL)
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
69
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
59
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1928
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1928
Keeper's Quarters Style:
INTEGRAL
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
REINFORCED CONCRETE
OPTICS
Current Optic:
VRB-25, SOLAR POWERED
Original Optic Type:
THIRD ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1928
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
Yes
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017
Historical Information:
The Lansing Shoals are a treacherous area in northern Lake Michigan that ships must pass through on their way to northern harbors. The rocky reefs make the narrow stretch dangerous for all vessels.
1901: Lightship LV55 was moved from Simmons Reef when a gas buoy was placed at that location. LV55 served at Lansing Shoals until 1920.
1920: LV98 replaced LV55 and remained on station until 1928 when a permanent lighthouse was built. Lansing Shoal Lighthouse was one of the last major lights to be built on the Great Lakes.
1928: The current lighthouse was built on a crib that is 74 feet square and 20 feet high. The lighthouse is 59 feet tall. It was fitted with a third order Fresnel lens.
1976: The original optic was replaced in 1976 with an acrylic optic. The original lens is on display at the Lansing State Museum in Lansing, Michigan.
The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation and is not open to the public. It is only viewable from the water.