Manistee Pierhead lights

Manistee Pierhead Lights is a lighthouse standing on a pier extending into Lake Michigan, featuring a white cylindrical cast iron tower topped with a black lantern room. The structure reaches approximately 12 meters tall and serves as a navigation marker for vessels entering the harbor.

The original lighthouse was built in 1870 on the south pier but was destroyed during the Great Fire of 1871 that swept through Manistee. A replacement tower was constructed to continue guiding ships into the harbor.

The light marks a vital chapter in local maritime heritage and demonstrates how Great Lakes shipping shaped the growth of this community over time.

The lighthouse sits at the western end of Memorial Drive next to Fifth Avenue Beach and Park and is accessible on foot from the public beach area. Visit during daylight hours when you can see the harbor and lake clearly.

The light operates with a fog signal system that emits three distinct blasts in rapid succession during poor weather to warn ships of its location. This acoustic system proves essential on the Great Lakes where thick fog can obscure visibility for miles.

Location: Manistee

Inception: 1870

Height: 12 m

GPS coordinates: 44.25181,-86.34696

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:42