Big Bay Point Light, Lighthouse on Lake Superior bluff in Powell Township, Michigan.
Big Bay Point Light is a brick lighthouse standing on a bluff above Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The square tower rises about 65 feet (20 m) and connects directly to a large keeper's dwelling, with several outbuildings still standing on the property.
The station first lit its lamp in 1896 to help ships navigate safely between Granite Island and the Huron Islands. It was automated in 1941, after which no keeper lived on the property full time.
The attached keeper's house was once home to families who lived and worked on-site to keep the light burning through the night. Today the building operates as a bed and breakfast, and guests sleep in the same rooms those families once occupied.
The site sits on rocky ground high above the lake, and wind can be strong especially in fall and winter. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, and bringing extra layers helps since the weather along this shoreline can shift without much warning.
The station's first keeper, William Prior, disappeared without a trace and was never found, leaving behind a mystery that was never officially solved. His story is still passed on to visitors who stay overnight at the property.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.