Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

The lighthouse’s red roofs, broad porch, and tower beneath a colorful sky. Photograph by Todd.

With warm brick walls, red roofs, and a round tower beside the Mackinac Bridge, Old Mackinac Point is one of the Straits’ most distinctive landmarks. Its castle-like silhouette recalls the keepers and families who helped guide vessels through this meeting place of the Great Lakes.

Quick Facts

Location	Mackinaw City · Michilimackinac State Park, Michigan
Waterway	Straits of Mackinac · Lake Michigan and Lake Huron
First lighted	October 25, 1892
Station closed	1957
Tower	Approximately 58 feet from ground to lightning rod
Original optic	Fourth-order Fresnel lens
Ownership	Mackinac Island State Park Commission
Today	Restored historic lighthouse · Seasonal museum and tower visits

History & Description

Congress established the station in 1889. A fog signal began operating in 1890, followed by the lighthouse in 1892. Keeper George Marshall first lit its beacon on October 25 that year.

The attached dwelling and round tower gave the station an unusually substantial appearance. Warm brick, a stone foundation, and decorative battlements distinguish the complex from the slender, freestanding towers found elsewhere along the lakes.

The light served until 1957, when completion of the Mackinac Bridge changed navigation through the Straits and the station closed. The Mackinac Island State Park Commission acquired the property in 1960.

Restoration returned the lighthouse to public use in 2004. Today, its rooms, original lens, and maritime exhibits help visitors understand the work of the keepers and the challenges of Great Lakes navigation.

Visitor Information

Getting there: The lighthouse stands on the Mackinaw City waterfront within Michilimackinac State Park, near the southern end of the Mackinac Bridge.
Inside the station: Seasonal admission offers restored living quarters and exhibits, including the original lens. The Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum explores vessels lost in these waters.
Tower visits: Guided climbs involve a narrow spiral staircase and ladder access. Review current height, footwear, and physical requirements before planning a climb.
Plan ahead: Check Mackinac State Historic Parks for current seasonal dates, admission, tower availability, and accessibility information.
Photography: Walk the surrounding public waterfront for changing views of the lighthouse and bridge. Wide compositions include the lawns and white fence; closer views emphasize the brickwork and lantern.