Eagle River Light

Eagle River Light is a brick lighthouse on a sand bluff above Lake Superior with a sixth-order Fresnel lens for guidance. The structure sits within the Eagle River Historic District and serves as a landmark visible from the shoreline.

The lighthouse was built in 1858 to help guide ships during Michigan's copper mining era when Lake Superior traffic was heavy. It operated continuously until decommissioning when navigation technology made its manual operation no longer necessary.

The lighthouse represents how the Great Lakes region relied on such structures to guide ships and connect communities to the wider world. Today visitors can observe how it sits in the landscape and understand its importance to the people who lived nearby.

The exterior of the structure can be viewed and photographed from the surrounding area without needing special permission. The location sits within the historic district, making it easy to explore the neighborhood on foot while taking in the setting.

After its decommissioning a merchant named John Vertin purchased the property and repurposed it for private use. The building now operates as a rental residence while maintaining its protected historical status.

Location: Keweenaw County

Inception: 1858

Part of: Eagle River Historic District

Website: https://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=223

GPS coordinates: 47.41359,-88.29862

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22