A long white shaft above a lawn of boats and maritime equipment gives Six Mile Point’s rear light a striking new setting. Now preserved in Cedarville, the steel tower once helped ships follow a precise course on the St. Marys River. Its narrow profile makes more sense when imagined alongside the shorter front light that completed the range.
Quick Facts
| Current location | Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum · Cedarville, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Original setting | Six Mile Point range · St. Marys River, southeast of Sault Ste. Marie |
| Range established | 1895 |
| Preserved tower | 1907 |
| Tower height | Approximately 49 feet |
| Construction | Tapered, riveted steel tower with an enclosed upper housing |
| Historic role | Rear light of a paired navigation range |
| Status | Inactive; relocated museum exhibit |
| Companion tower | Historic front light preserved in DeTour Village |
History & Description
The Six Mile Point range was established in 1895 during improvements to the St. Marys River shipping route. A replacement pair of steel towers first showed their lights on December 1, 1907. The taller rear tower and lower front tower marked a channel alignment near Little Rapids Cut.
A range works through alignment: from the intended approach, mariners see the rear light above the front light. Keeping the two in a vertical line helps a vessel remain on the marked course. The rear tower’s extra height was essential to that relationship.
The range was electrified in 1933. Later navigation structures replaced the historic towers, and both old lights survived as museum exhibits. The rear tower came to Cedarville; the front is displayed in DeTour Village. Their present locations preserve the structures, while the working range remains elsewhere on the river.
Up close, the rear tower shows its construction clearly. Riveted steel sections form a tapering shaft, widening toward an entrance at the base. An enclosed housing crowns the tower instead of the large glazed lantern associated with many coastal lights. Boats and heavy equipment around it place this compact piece of navigation engineering within a broader maritime collection.
Visitor Information
- Finding the tower
- The historic light stands on the Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum grounds on M-134 at Lake Street in Cedarville. Look for the tall white tower among the outdoor boat and equipment exhibits. The map pin marks this relocated display site.
- Access
- The tower is viewed from outside and is not open for climbing. Observe posted museum boundaries and access notices. Check the Les Cheneaux Historical Association for current museum arrangements before planning an indoor visit.
- Photography
- A portrait frame includes the full height from the concrete pad to the upper housing. Wider compositions bring the boat and cradle into the foreground; another side reveals the base entrance and riveted seams. Walk only through permitted visitor areas.
- See the companion
- The Six Mile Point Range Front is a separate stop in DeTour Village. Compare their heights and similar steel construction to understand how the original pair worked.
Historical references: Lighthouse Friends: Six Mile Point Range Rear and The Lighthouse Directory: Southern Upper Peninsula.
Photo Gallery
Four views of the preserved rear range tower and its museum setting. Select a photograph to view it larger.
Keep Exploring
Explore Six Mile Point Range Front →