Grays Reef Light Station

Grays Reef Light Station is a navigational beacon in Lake Michigan featuring a concrete tower designed in the Art Deco style. The octagonal structure stands approximately 20 meters tall and displays a flashing red light to guide vessels through the water.

Light vessels operated at this reef starting in 1891, but Congress approved funding in 1934 to build a permanent structure. This solid lighthouse replaced the temporary light ships and provided more reliable navigation guidance for the area.

The station marks a key navigation point for vessels entering the Straits of Mackinac and reflects the deep maritime tradition of Great Lakes shipping. Visitors can sense how this waterway shaped the region's economy and the ongoing need to guide ships safely through these waters.

The station sits about 6 kilometers west of Waugoshance Island and operates automatically without staffing. Visitors should know the tower is surrounded by water and best viewed from a boat or the shoreline at a distance.

The tower originally housed a Fresnel lens that operated until 1976 before being replaced by newer lighting technology. This shift shows how maritime navigation evolved while the physical structure remained in place.

Location: Emmet County

Architectural style: Art Deco

Height: 20 m

GPS coordinates: 45.76582,-85.15348

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22