A square tower rises above a pale keeper’s dwelling at the river’s edge. Framed by reeds and trees, Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse recalls the ships and keepers that served this working waterway.
Quick Facts
| Location | West bank of the Saginaw River, Bangor Township, near Bay City, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Saginaw River · Saginaw Bay · Lake Huron |
| First lit | September 15, 1876 |
| Original role | Rear beacon of a paired range-light system |
| Status | Inactive historic lighthouse |
| Ownership | Dow Chemical Company |
| Preservation | Saginaw River Marine Historical Society, with Dow support |
| Access | Closed for renovation; no current public tours |
History & Description
The rear range lighthouse began service in 1876, paired with a lower front light. Mariners aligned the two beacons to follow the approach to the Saginaw River, an important route for the region’s timber and shipping trade.
The tower and keeper’s dwelling form a single station. Tall windows, a projecting gallery, and the tower’s narrow profile give it a different character from the freestanding towers found on the open lake.
A new channel and replacement navigation lights made the old range obsolete in the 1960s. The building continued as a Coast Guard station until 1980. Dow purchased the property in 1986.
The Saginaw River Marine Historical Society has worked with Dow on its preservation. Renovation began in 2022. Todd’s photographs record the building from the river, showing both its larger setting and the details of its weathered exterior.
Visitor Information
- Location
- The lighthouse stands on the west riverbank roughly three-quarters of a mile south of the river mouth, in Bangor Township near Bay City.
- Current access
- The historical society lists the lighthouse as closed for renovation, with no reopening date announced. The grounds are on Dow property. Check the society’s preservation and visitor updates before planning a visit.
- Viewing from the river
- A boat outing can provide exterior views. Confirm your route with the operator, respect private property, and do not land without permission.
- Photography
- Wide views place the lighthouse among the reeds and trees; closer compositions reveal the tower and dwelling. From a moving boat, keep your shutter speed high enough to avoid blur.
Photo Gallery
Six views of the rear range lighthouse and its river setting. Select a photograph to view it larger.