Seen from Lake Huron, Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse appears as a small clearing in a great wall of trees. Pale brick, yellow shutters, and a white lantern give the building a quiet presence above the beach. Its square tower rises directly from the house, bringing the beacon and the keeper’s living space together in one compact structure.
Quick Facts
| Location | Northern shore of Bois Blanc Island, Mackinac County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Huron, eastern approach to the Straits of Mackinac |
| Station established | 1829, according to the U.S. Coast Guard |
| Surviving building | Built in 1867; the Coast Guard lists first lighting in 1868 |
| Tower height | 38 feet |
| Construction | Square brick tower attached to a keeper’s dwelling |
| Historic lens | Fourth-order Fresnel |
| Deactivated | 1924; replaced by a separate automated light |
| Status | Inactive historic lighthouse |
| Ownership & use | Privately owned residence |
| Visitor access | Site and tower closed to the public; view from offshore |
History & Description
The station’s story began in 1829, when a lighthouse was established on Bois Blanc Island. It marked the island’s northern shore and nearby shoal for vessels approaching the Straits of Mackinac from Lake Huron. The early structure stood too close to the water and collapsed in 1837. A replacement followed in 1839.
The building that survives today was constructed in 1867. Its 38-foot brick tower is integrated into the front of the dwelling. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was transferred from the earlier light. The Coast Guard records the new tower’s first lighting in 1868, distinguishing its construction year from the beginning of service.
In 1924, an automated light on a separate steel tower took over the navigational work. The old lighthouse later passed into private ownership. Its preserved house and tower now tell the story of a period when keeping a light meant living beside it.
The architecture is especially clear from the lake: the tower occupies the center of the front elevation, with rooflines spreading to either side. The lantern remains a bright white cap above the natural brick. Todd’s wider photographs also show a later steel tower along the shore, a reminder that the station’s navigation equipment changed over time.
Historical references: U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office · Pure Michigan.
Visitor Information
Plan this as a viewing opportunity from the water. The historic building is a private residence, rather than a public museum or tower-climbing attraction.
- Property access
- The site and tower are closed to the public. Do not assume island ferry service includes access to the lighthouse grounds; permission is required to enter private property.
- Viewing by boat
- An offshore view shows both the lighthouse and its wooded setting. Check a cruise operator’s current route before booking, as not every Mackinac-area excursion passes this shore.
- Island travel
- Bois Blanc Island is separate from Mackinac Island. Plaunt Transportation provides ferry information for travel from Cheboygan; confirm schedules and arrangements directly.
- Photography
- A longer lens helps isolate the tower from the forest. Include a wider frame to record the pale beach, water, and island point as well as the building.
- Which Bois Blanc?
- This guide covers the Michigan island in Lake Huron. A different Bois Blanc Island lighthouse stands near Amherstburg, Ontario, in the Detroit River.
Access information checked October 11, 2026 against the University of North Carolina Lighthouse Directory. Check transport schedules directly before traveling.
Photo Gallery
Four offshore photographs by Todd. Select a photograph to view it larger.
Explore the Straits and Islands
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