The Round Island Lighthouse

A vertical view of the Round Island Lighthouse, also known as the "Old Round Island Point Lighthouse" is located on the west shore of Round Island in the shipping lanes of the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Because of its color scheme and form (red stone base and wood tower) it has been described as an old-fashioned schoolhouse. Ferries regularly pass it on their way to and from Mackinac Island, and it is a recognizable icon of the upper Great Lakes. It was built of painted brick in 1895 by a predecessor agency of the US Coast Guard and Mackinac island Carpenter Frank Rounds. It served as an active, manned lighthouse and fog signal in 1895–1947. It was abandoned in 1947 and replaced by the Round Island Passage Light, an automated light tower located in the adjacent Round Island Channel. Abandoned, the lighthouse fell prey to plunderers and vandals. In 1972, a storm caused a corner of the structure to collapse.

After that they started preservation efforts. Round Island Light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 1974, and added to the list of registered Michigan historic sites in 1978. Emergency work to stabilize the light tower structure was conducted in the 1970s, but the light tower remained gutted and inoperative. Restoration was done in 1995 by the Friends of the Round Island Lighthouse and led by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA), aided by Boy Scouts of America Troop 323. It was was partially funded by the state of Michigan, with the help of funds from a special license plate developed by the state to raise donations for lighthouse restoration. In 1973 rip rap was spread around the lighthouse base to help prevent more deterioration. As a result of the success of this restoration work, the Coast Guard granted permission to relight the light in 1996. The original brick outhouse and oil house are still intact.

This photo was taken by Jennifer White with Timeless Moments Photography. All images are copyrighted © Timeless Moments Photography/Jennifer White. All rights reserved.