Pointe aux Barques Light

Pointe aux Barques Light is a lighthouse on Lake Huron's shore with a white conical tower made of brick that rises 27 meters above the water. Next to the tower stands the former keeper's house, and together with a museum these buildings form a historic site you can visit.

The lighthouse was built in 1848 and rebuilt in 1857 to guide ships through the dangerous waters of Lake Huron. It reflects Michigan's maritime growth when the region was becoming an important shipping route.

The maritime museum displays objects and exhibits about ships, wrecks, and how people navigated these dangerous waters in earlier times. You can see how sailors understood and used the landscape around them.

You can climb the tower stairs and explore several exhibits in the museum building. Bring good walking shoes and be ready to climb many steps if you want the best views from the top.

Catherine Shook took over as keeper in 1849 after her husband drowned during a supply mission. She was among the first women in Michigan to hold this demanding job.

Location: Huron County

Inception: 1848

Height: 27 m

GPS coordinates: 44.02330,-82.79330

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:01