Saginaw River Rear Range Light

The Saginaw River Rear Range Light is a brick structure standing about 53 feet tall with an attached two-story residence containing a kitchen, parlor, and three bedrooms connected by a cast iron spiral staircase to an octagonal lantern room. The building was designed with fire safety in mind, including heavy iron doors between floors and an oil storage room on the lower level.

Built in 1876 as part of a range light system, the structure was constructed to guide ships after engineers dredged the Saginaw River channel in 1867. It represents investments made to support navigation during the height of the timber trade era in the region.

The lighthouse embodies the maritime and lumber trade traditions that shaped the region's growth along the waterway. Visitors can see how such structures marked important passages for commerce and settlement during the industrial era.

The sturdy brick construction with tight door seals between levels provides good structural integrity for exploration. Visitors should expect narrow stairs and limited headroom in certain areas, particularly when climbing to the lantern room.

The foundation required timber piles driven deep into swampy ground to support a heavy concrete base and brick walls. This approach reveals how 19th-century builders solved engineering challenges posed by wet, unstable soil.

Location: Bay County

Inception: 1839

Architects: Godfrey Weitzel

Made from material: brick

GPS coordinates: 43.63556,-83.85028

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22