Among the trees of Pipe Island, an old brick tower stands beside a white keeper’s dwelling. Its lantern is gone, replaced by a skeletal structure and daymark, but the station still recalls the navigational demands of the lower St. Marys River.
Quick Facts
| Location | Pipe Island · Near DeTour Village, Chippewa County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lower St. Marys River · Approach to DeTour Passage |
| Established | 1888 |
| Original tower | Octagonal brick structure with a lantern |
| Major alteration | Lantern removed in 1937; skeletal daymark added |
| Ownership | Private ownership |
| Navigation | Historic light station · Navigation daymark |
| Access | Not open to the public · View from the water |
History & Description
Pipe Island’s station was established in 1888 to help guide shipping through the lower St. Marys River. Its position marked an important turn for vessels traveling between Lake Huron and the river.
The original station paired an octagonal brick tower with a separate keeper’s dwelling. A fifth-order lens showed a red light, and the beacon could be aligned with Frying Pan Island Light to form a range for DeTour Passage.
In 1937, the lantern room was removed and a skeletal structure with a daymark was added above the tower. That alteration explains the unusual combination visible today: an older masonry base carrying an open steel framework.
Todd’s aerial photographs show both the tower and its island setting. Dense woodland surrounds the station, while the river and passing vessels beyond place it within a much larger shipping route.
Visitor Information
- Private island
- The lighthouse and surrounding property are privately owned and are not open for public tours. Do not land or enter the grounds without permission.
- Viewing from the water
- A boat-based view is the practical way to see the station. Ask a local operator whether a route passes Pipe Island; a lighthouse sighting should not be assumed on every trip.
- River traffic
- The St. Marys River is a working navigation route. Follow your captain’s guidance and maintain safe separation from commercial vessels and marked channels.
- Recognizing the station
- Look for the short masonry tower with its skeletal top and daymark, near the white dwelling with red trim. Trees can partly hide the structures from water level.
- Photography
- A wider view captures the keeper’s house and wooded island, while a closer composition reveals the transition from brick tower to steel framework.
Photo Gallery
Two aerial views of Pipe Island Lighthouse. Select a photograph to view it larger.
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