St. Helena Island Light, Lighthouse in Mackinac County, US.
St. Helena Island Light is a lighthouse on a small island in the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan, built to guide ships through one of the Great Lakes' main water passages. The brick tower stands about 71 feet (21.5 m) tall on the northern shore of the island, next to a stone keeper's dwelling.
The lighthouse was completed and lit in 1873 to serve the growing number of ships crossing the Straits of Mackinac during the late 1800s. It was automated in the early 20th century, after which the keeper's post was abandoned and the building fell into disrepair.
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association has restored the building and organizes visits for volunteers and curious travelers. Those who reach the island can walk through the keeper's quarters, which still hold the feel of an earlier era of life on the water.
The island is only reachable by boat, and visits are most practical during the summer months when water conditions allow for safe crossing. There is no regular ferry service, so arranging private transport with a local boat operator ahead of time is the best approach.
Although the light is still active today, it sits on an uninhabited island with no permanent infrastructure, making every visit a real expedition. The tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places yet it is seen in person by very few visitors each year.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
