Charity Island Lighthouse stands above a green shoreline in Saginaw Bay. Its weathered brick tower and the white house beside it tell different parts of the station’s story: the surviving nineteenth-century beacon and a dwelling rebuilt much later. Seen from the water, they remain a distinctive landmark between the bay’s opposing shores.
Quick Facts
| Location | Big Charity Island, Saginaw Bay, offshore from Au Gres, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Huron |
| First lit | 1857 |
| Tower height | Approximately 39 feet; distinct from the light’s height above water |
| Construction | Round brick tower with lantern and gallery |
| Historic lens | Fourth-order Fresnel |
| Status | Inactive historic lighthouse; succeeded by Gravelly Shoal Light |
| Keeper’s house | Rebuilt in 2003 on the former dwelling’s foundation |
| Ownership | Tower listed as owned by the Nature Conservancy; dwelling privately owned |
| Visitor access | Boat access by arrangement; confirm landings and property permissions; tower closed |
History & Description
The lighthouse began service in 1857, marking Big Charity Island at the entrance to Saginaw Bay. Its purpose was to give mariners a recognizable point of reference in waters where islands and surrounding shallows complicated the approach.
The approximately 39-foot brick tower originally carried a fourth-order Fresnel lens. A covered passage connected the beacon to its wooden keeper’s dwelling. The compact station brought the working light and the keeper’s home together at an isolated island site.
Automation eventually reduced the need for resident keepers. The light was later discontinued when Gravelly Shoal Light assumed the navigational role. Charity Island’s tower remained, but the abandoned house deteriorated. In 2003 the old dwelling was removed and a new house was built on its foundation.
The distinction matters when viewing the station today. The round masonry tower is historic; the white-sided house with red roof is a later reconstruction. Todd’s photographs retain the tower’s worn surface and the timber supports around its lantern, recording the site as it appeared on his visit.
Much of Big Charity Island belongs to Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identifies the lighthouse as outside refuge property, so access to the station and access to protected habitat must be considered separately.
Historical references: U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office · Charity Island station history · Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Visitor Information
Arrange the journey before setting out. This island visit depends on boat access, landing conditions, and permission to use the lighthouse property.
- Getting there
- The lighthouse is on Big Charity Island in Saginaw Bay. There is no road connection to the mainland. Confirm an operator’s route and whether it includes a landing or an offshore view.
- Current trip availability
- The Charity Island operator’s website carries a July 2025 notice suspending trips because of sand buildup at the harbor entrance, with a hoped-for return in 2026. That notice does not confirm a resumed 2026 service. Contact the operator for current availability.
- Property & tower
- The dwelling is privately owned, and the tower is listed as closed. Obtain permission before landing at or entering the lighthouse property; do not plan on a tower climb.
- Refuge land
- Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge land is closed to the public to protect nesting birds and sensitive plants. A permitted lighthouse visit does not provide access to the surrounding refuge.
- Photography
- An offshore frame shows the full house and tower above the shoreline. Keep the distinction between the historic tower and rebuilt dwelling in mind when describing photographs.
Visitor information checked October 11, 2026. Confirm access directly with the operator and consult U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance for refuge restrictions.
Photo Gallery
Two photographs by Todd. Select a photograph to view it larger.
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