Manitou Island Light Station

Manitou Island Light Station is an iron lighthouse with a distinctive ten-sided watch room, standing about 24 m (79 ft) tall on a square foundation. The structure occupies a remote island setting surrounded by mature forest and accessible only by water.

An initial stone tower built in 1850 was replaced in 1861 with the current iron structure during President Abraham Lincoln's administration. The replacement reflected improvements in lighthouse technology and navigation safety standards of that era.

The lighthouse received its name from the Native American Anishinaabe people who called the island Manitou, meaning spirit or spiritual place. Today visitors can see how the structure sits within a remote forest setting that reflects the isolation maritime workers once experienced here.

The island is reached only by boat, and visitors should check water conditions before attempting the crossing. Bringing emergency supplies and provisions is recommended due to the remote location and unpredictable weather.

The island supports rare plants and trees covered in grey-green lichen that thrive in the moisture-rich environment. Thousands of migratory birds stop here to rest during their seasonal journeys across the Great Lakes region.

Location: Grant Township

Inception: 1850

Height: 24 m

Website: https://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=731

GPS coordinates: 47.41970,-87.58702

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:45