Red brick, white walls, and a square lantern tower stand at the edge of a wooded island. Seen from the water, Round Island Lighthouse is one of the familiar landmarks of the Mackinac crossing.
Quick Facts
| Location | Western end of Round Island, south of Mackinac Island, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Huron · Straits of Mackinac |
| Built | 1895 |
| First lit | May 15, 1896 |
| Tower height | 53 feet |
| Design | Square brick tower attached to a keeper’s dwelling |
| Ownership | U.S. Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest |
| Access | Views from the water; no regular public interior tours |
History & Description
Built in 1895 and first illuminated the following May, Round Island Lighthouse marked the channel near Mackinac Island. Frank Rounds, who had also worked on the Grand Hotel, led its construction.
The square tower rises from one corner of the keeper’s dwelling, creating a compact station with a steep roof and tall windows. Its red-and-white paint makes the building stand out against the island’s green tree line.
The station was decommissioned in 1947 after a replacement light was built near Mackinac Island. It passed to the U.S. Forest Service in 1958. A severe storm damaged the building in 1972, prompting work to stabilize and restore it.
Preservation has continued through volunteer groups, the Forest Service, and the Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. The light was reactivated in 1996, a century after its first illumination.
Visitor Information
- Viewing the light
- Look for the lighthouse during a Mackinac Island ferry crossing or a sightseeing trip through the Straits. Routes and viewing distances vary, so confirm the itinerary with your operator.
- Interior visits
- The preservation society currently lists its open-house events as postponed because of transportation difficulties and interior repairs needed for safe access. Do not plan on a regular tower tour. Check the society’s visitor updates for any change.
- Photography
- A moving boat offers changing views of the tower and dwelling. Keep the horizon level, allow space around the island’s rocky edge, and use a faster shutter speed to reduce motion blur.
- Which lighthouse?
- This guide covers the historic brick lighthouse on Round Island. Round Island Passage Light, nearer Mackinac Island, is a separate station.
Photo Gallery
Seven views of Round Island Lighthouse from the water. Select a photograph to view it larger.
Keep Exploring
Discover Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse →