Marquette Harbor Light

Marquette Harbor Light is a navigation lighthouse on Lake Superior in Marquette and features a square brick tower with white walls and a red roof. The 12-meter tall structure stands at the harbor entrance and now operates as part of a maritime museum with exhibits.

The original lighthouse was built in 1853 and rebuilt in 1866, with a second story added between 1909 and 1910. These expansions show how the harbor's needs and shipping traffic changed over time.

The lighthouse sits in a public space where locals and visitors gather to watch the lake and explore maritime history together. The location connects the memory of iron ore shipping to its role today as a gathering place for the community.

The lighthouse can be visited through guided tours offered by the Maritime Museum from May through October, allowing for structured exploration. Visitors should note that access is limited to specific hours and seasonal availability.

The original fourth-order Fresnel lens is displayed today in the museum while the lighthouse itself operates with modern DCB-36 Aerobeacon technology. This contrast shows how navigation technology has evolved while the historic equipment is preserved for the future.

Location: Marquette

Inception: 1852

Height: 12 m

GPS coordinates: 46.54678,-87.37628

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42