Lansing Shoals Light Station

Lansing Shoals Light Station is a lighthouse in northeastern Lake Michigan built on a concrete and steel caisson that rises 18 meters above the water. The tower was designed to withstand the harsh conditions of open water and continues to function as a navigation aid for vessel traffic.

The light station was built in 1928 to replace a lightship that had previously served the area, marking a shift toward permanent navigation structures. This change reflected growing maritime traffic and the need for more reliable guiding systems on the Great Lakes.

The original third order Fresnel lens from the lighthouse now resides at the Michigan Historical Museum, preserving maritime technological heritage.

The lighthouse sits in open water away from shore and cannot be accessed by foot, so viewing from a boat or at a distance is the only option for visitors. The station is fully automated and does not offer public tours or interior access.

The basement level beneath the tower is square-shaped and spans approximately 69 feet per side, containing sealed portholes and machinery spaces. These underground areas once housed lighthouse keepers before the station became fully automated in 1976.

Location: Mackinac County

Height: 18 m

GPS coordinates: 45.90373,-85.56172

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:04