A white tower with a green lantern stands beside the sand at Empire Beach. This small Lake Michigan landmark carries a personal story: a community’s tribute to a fisherman who wished for a light to guide him home.
Quick Facts
| Location | Empire Beach Park, Empire, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Michigan |
| Dedicated | 1991 |
| Tower height | Approximately 35 feet |
| Design | White cylindrical tower with a green lantern |
| Purpose | Memorial to Robert H. Manning; local navigation beacon |
| Setting | Village waterfront park |
| Access | Public grounds; tower interior closed |
History & Description
Robert H. Manning was an Empire resident who loved fishing on Lake Michigan. Returning after dark, he often wished the village had a lighthouse to make the trip back easier. After his death in 1989, family and friends raised money for a memorial light.
The lighthouse was dedicated in 1991. Its white cylindrical tower and green lantern recall the familiar form of older Great Lakes lights, with details reminiscent of Point Betsie. Wood construction beneath a stucco exterior gives it the appearance of a masonry tower.
Todd’s photographs show two sides of its setting: a close view of the windows, gallery, and lantern, and a wider scene placing the tower between the beach, dunes, and open lake.
Visitor Information
- Getting there
- Head to Empire’s Lake Michigan waterfront and the beach park at the west end of Front Street. The lighthouse is near the north end of the park, beside the beach and parking area.
- Access
- Plan for a ground-level visit; tower tours are not offered. Observe posted park hours, parking requirements, and boundaries with neighboring private property. The regional visitor listing provides further location information.
- Photography
- A close view emphasizes the tower’s white walls and green lantern. A wider composition includes the Lake Michigan shoreline and changing sky. Keep to established public areas around the dunes.
- Nearby guides
- Continue exploring the Lake Michigan coast with the Point Betsie Lighthouse guide.
Photo Gallery
Two photographs of the memorial lighthouse and its shoreline setting. Select a photograph to view it larger.